Can we talk about WTM Academy writing?

[TKDmom]

i have a 6th grade boy who needs to get some writing instruction this year. He's pretty asynchronous between his reading and writing abilities. I've never managed to use writing curricula with him because he's allergic to pencils and I'm allergic to teaching writing. ;)

 

I'm interested in hearing others' experiences with WTMA Expository1 or pre-expository classes. I'm not sure which to put him in, or if either would be a good fit. I'm leaning toward pre-expository, since he has so little writing experience. He can narrate beautifully and pick out the main idea of reading selections, but he freezes when he's asked to write things out, and he gets bogged down in spelling (and the physical act of handwriting). He's taking a keyboarding class this semester. I have high hopes that learning to type will at least eliminate his trouble with handwriting.

 

Last year we did Grammar Island and Practice Island, along with some of CAP's W&R (parts of both Fable and Narrative 1). We are also working through the spelling lists in WRTR to help him with spelling. He's great with parts of speech and generally considers grammar to be a waste of time. I will do the WWE3 post-test this week to see how he does, but I want to hear from those of you who've done writing with WTMA. Were your kids engaged in the class? How much time did they spend outside if class? What did they enjoy most? What were their biggest struggles?

[idnib]

:lurk5:

[Bocky]

No experience with these classes, but thought I'd give you a bump. I'm very interested in the WTM Academy too.

 

One idea - Bravewriter also offers online classes. Their freewriting method seems to me to be designed to help with that frozen moment between narrating the idea and putting pencil to paper. My dd11 (who is a prolific creative writer but freezes up at the mere breath of parental input) will be taking Bravewriter's mythology writing class. It'll be her first online class.

 

Hopefully someone else can give you some feedback on WTMA Expository 1.

[RootAnn]

Can't help you either except to suggest emailing both teachers (Expository Writing 1 & the pre-class). I have found the teachers willing to just about bend over backwards helping me choose where to put my kid or adjusting the style of the class for the first several weeks if my kid needed it. They are so very responsive to emails with questions.

 

Another thing might be to search the board for people who have posted that their kid took one or the other class & PMing them directly.

 

Best of luck!

ETA:  Eldest DD is also allergic to pencils. See how she's signed up for a wtma class?  :lol:  I'm tired of fighting the allergy.

Edited again to add:  I went through WWS1 with dd#1.  :svengo:  :leaving:  

I'm doing WWS1 at home with dd#2 this year, but this is a completely different child. I'm hoping for  :thumbup1: . We'll see.  :001_cool:

[redsquirrel]

Well, my son is enrolled in a writing class, but it doesn't start until next month so I can't give any information.

 

He did WWE 1-3 and after a great deal of debate I went with expository writing 1.  We'll see if we decide that intro is better. I really feel like there is an argument to be made for either class with him, so in the end I decided it would be easier for him to drop down after a couple classes than jump up.

 

I've already had one kid do WWS1 in 6th grade. It wasn't an easy, but we both learned a huge amount and I am glad we did it. I am sort of hoping that by not having me as the teacher WWS1 easier for ds2 than it was for ds1, lol.

[homefree3]

Last year my daughter (then 6grade) took the wtma EW2 . It was a struggle for both of us. She is not allegeric to pencil but struggled with inner uncertainty. Today's first class went smoothly for my daughter. My son (now 6 grade) is joining wtma with remedial writing. My son sounds like your description of your soN. Extremely allegeric to a pencil. He struggles to write anything. I discuss with teacher early summer. She recommended the remedial class due to his age and his reluctance to write.

 

My son was over joyed when he found out that the first parts of class would be modelling writing and that he wouldn't need to compose essays. It was like a wave of joy passed thru his body.

 

I am looking forwarded to a great year not teaching writing to my children. ;)

[homefree3]

My daughter spent way too much time outside of class working on papers. Per discussion with another parent, her daughter was spending about 2-3 hours a week. The teacher, ms.Meyers confirmed that my daughter was overly worried about her writing and needs to take a lot less time on assignments. My daughter loved everything about the class. She begged for EW2 and the requested Creative Writing. I was extremely pleased with my daughters increased confidence and writing skills.

[VANURSEPRAC]

D12 is in 7th grade in public school, also allergic to pencils.....and I could not teach anyone out of a paper bag. We are giving WWS1 Delayed a try. First lecture was today and she liked Ms. Meyers. I have my fingers crossed.