MamaSprout Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I'm eyeing MP Classical Composition for next year for a co-op class. I have seen the classical method really work well for non writers. I have taught CAP in the past, but the idea of going through it again makes me want to poke myself in the eye. Oddly, I'm having a hard time finding reviews on CC, even for fable and narrative level (which is all I plan to use). Has anyone used this? I know it looks boring, but I can teach around that if it's solid and straight forward. Are there other classical writing programs I'm overlooking? I really want just writing as most of the families already use Abeka, Shirley or LLaTL. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 By classical do you mean following the progymnasmata? In that case... CC, classical writing, cottage press (more or less) and writing Tales are the only programs I know of. There are *books* about it, but these are the programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSprout Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 Thanks- I need a program since we only meet once a week, and I don't plan to write my own. I couldn't remember the name of Writing Tales and I've never heard of the Cottage Press stuff, so this is helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSprout Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 By classical do you mean following the progymnasmata? Yes. I was too caffeine deprived to spell it. Barefoot Meandering has one, too but it's full language arts, and this group is a little older. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Yes. I was too caffeine deprived to spell it. Barefoot Meandering has one, too but it's full language arts, and this group is a little older. Mmmmm..... I know she describes some, but not all, of the of the levels as having progym-esque assignments, but I don't think that counts as "following the progymnasmata" ykwim? The progym is a whole thing and you can get on or off the ride any time, so to speak, but anything with some similar components isn't the thing. I HIGHLY recommend WT, fwiw, but it does have light grammar and spelling exercises. At least in level one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSprout Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 Mmmmm..... I know she describes some, but not all, of the of the levels as having progym-esque assignments, but I don't think that counts as "following the progymnasmata" ykwim? The progym is a whole thing and you can get on or off the ride any time, so to speak, but anything with some similar components isn't the thing. I HIGHLY recommend WT, fwiw, but it does have light grammar and spelling exercises. At least in level one. Well, I'm not looking to be a purist here, I guess. I've been teaching for a long time (both homeschool and otherwise), and know that the Fable and Narrative levels work really well for getting kids writing. Last time, I jumped into something more essay specific right around Common Topic. I love the look of WT, but the group is about 10-13 years old. Mostly solid on other areas, but have had no writing experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Hmm no other writing experience... WT might work. They start right in retelling stories and revising their own rough draft (over the course of the week, with other related activities in between the rough draft and the final draft), with a rubric for doing so. I guess it depends on how much time you'll have with them, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Writing Tales actually has co-op instructions in the TM as well as at home daily plans. WT1 definitely has some grammar work and is pretty gentle on writing at the beginning. It ramps up at the end, though, with much longer retellings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSprout Posted February 24, 2017 Author Share Posted February 24, 2017 What ages is Writing Tales best suited for? I don't have sixth graders anymore, so maybe that's why is seems too young? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 (edited) WT1 is geared toward 3rd and 4th, I think. WT2 is 4th and 5th. (Edited because I remembered wrong.) I think the webpage has more info. WT2 starts off with less writing than WT1 ends with, but assumes you've already been through the first book. There is less grammar in 2, I think. It has been awhile since I did either one. Edited February 24, 2017 by RootAnn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSprout Posted February 24, 2017 Author Share Posted February 24, 2017 Okay, it is too young for this group. I guess I'm still open to ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cintinative Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 (edited) I have never looked at this. I think it is high school level, but anyway, just throwing it out there. There is a sample you can access on this site: http://iew.com/shop/products/classical-rhetoric-through-structure-and-style Edited March 2, 2017 by cintinative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSprout Posted March 2, 2017 Author Share Posted March 2, 2017 I have never looked at this. I think it is high school level, but anyway, just throwing it out there. There is a sample you can access on this site: http://iew.com/shop/products/classical-rhetoric-through-structure-and-style I like the looks of that. I'll put it on my list. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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