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Sequencing CAP Writing and Rhetoric


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How important is the sequencing in the W&R books? By the end of this year we will have worked through Books 1-4. We've used:

Book 1 and 2 - 4th grade
Book 3 and WWtB - 5th grade
Book 4 and IEW themed based - 6th grade

My tentative plan for the next couple years:
Book 7 and 10 - 7th grade
IEW theme based - 8th grade

Would it be a big deal if I skip some books and select the ones I want to use based on topic and recommended grade level?

I'm looking at the focus of each book and the skills that I want to work on with my dd. Book 7 covers descriptive essays and Book 10 covers comparative essays. She's an eager writer. I wouldn't say advanced, but she's fairly strong. Based on our experience with CAP, I feel comfortable skipping, but am wondering if there are any red flags in doing so.

Would this plan work? I'm looking for variety of writing for her with some structure (and something that offers a bit of hand holding for me). ;)

Edited by Juliegmom
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You can definitely choose which ones to use - they are only a tool, after all. The books are pretty good at defining terms learned in previous books and seem to contain plenty of review. The only possible problem you might encounter will be the book production schedule...they are trying to publish two books per year, but there are no guarantees that book 10 will be out when you want to use it. Book 7 was just released in June and Book 6 was released last August, which is a pretty big gap between release dates.

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  • 2 weeks later...

How important is the sequencing in the W&R books? By the end of this year we will have worked through Books 1-4. We've used:

 

Book 1 and 2 - 4th grade

Book 3 and WWtB - 5th grade

Book 4 and IEW themed based - 6th grade

 

My tentative plan for the next couple years:

Book 7 and 10 - 7th grade

IEW theme based - 8th grade

 

Would it be a big deal if I skip some books and select the ones I want to use based on topic and recommended grade level?

 

I'm looking at the focus of each book and the skills that I want to work on with my dd. Book 7 covers descriptive essays and Book 10 covers comparative essays. She's an eager writer. I wouldn't say advanced, but she's fairly strong. Based on our experience with CAP, I feel comfortable skipping, but am wondering if there are any red flags in doing so.

 

Would this plan work? I'm looking for variety of writing for her with some structure (and something that offers a bit of hand holding for me). ;)

why are you skipping book five? And did you use the IEW theme based writing without ever using IEW main program?
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One thing I that would make me pause, since we can't see the W&R higher level books, is the appropriateness of the highest level books for an 8th grader. W&R may end up being different, but in other progymnamasta programs, the higher level books are definitely high school level. The type of analytical thinking required for those levels of the typical progymnamasta programs is definitely rhetoric level thinking. I realize that W&R says their books will all be for younger kids but that has always confused me. So I don't know without seeing the books if their grade estimate is off or if their program will not really be as deep as other progymnamasta programs. 

 

It's just something to keep in mind. It may not turn out to be an issue at all.

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why are you skipping book five? And did you use the IEW theme based writing without ever using IEW main program?

 

We are currently working through IEW theme based writing (yes - without ever using the IEW main program) as scheduled in Heart of Dakota. We will also work through CAP book 4 - Chreia this year.

 

I'm considering skipping book 5 and jumping back in to CAP full or half speed next year. If we don't continue to use 2 books a year, I'm wondering how skipping some of the books may affect the overall outcome or if I can pick and choose based on grade level and skill development (by looking at the table of contents). Does that make sense? 

 

TBH, I'm really thinking through what our goals are for middle school writing and am also looking at Writing With Skill 2. I like that it covers research methods and literary essays. I'm looking for something that will help her refine her skills with a variety of essay topics and guide her in how to develop an in-depth, well thought out (researched) essay - without squashing her love of writing. She particularly enjoys creative writing. I personally find teaching composition difficult and need something well laid out that will hold my hand. 

 

I'm a bit all over the place write now!   :willy_nilly:

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We are currently working through IEW theme based writing (yes - without ever using the IEW main program) as scheduled in Heart of Dakota. We will also work through CAP book 4 - Chreia this year.

 

I'm considering skipping book 5 and jumping back in to CAP full or half speed next year. If we don't continue to use 2 books a year, I'm wondering how skipping some of the books may affect the overall outcome or if I can pick and choose based on grade level and skill development (by looking at the table of contents). Does that make sense? 

 

TBH, I'm really thinking through what our goals are for middle school writing and am also looking at Writing With Skill 2. I like that it covers research methods and literary essays. I'm looking for something that will help her refine her skills with a variety of essay topics and guide her in how to develop an in-depth, well thought out (researched) essay - without squashing her love of writing. She particularly enjoys creative writing. I personally find teaching composition difficult and need something well laid out that will hold my hand. 

 

I'm a bit all over the place write now!   :willy_nilly:

I called them on Friday and they said if the child has mastered book 3, they recommend skipping book 4 and going on to 5. I spoke to someone named Brittany there.

 

I am very interested doing the theme based IEW units but saw on their site it is expected to be used by people who have done the IEW program. But based on your suggestion, I think we will try anyway. Thanks!

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