Thank you Sue. JAG is on my list.

Thank you for the blog post - that was very helpful.

We started a couple of weeks ago also. sbgrace, very curious why you decided to leave it?

Okay, thank you - can IEW's Fix It be used if we are not using other IEW products? Will check out Easy Grammar too. We tried GWG a number of years ago and I can't recall why we stopped using it.

thank you - I'll check these out.

I'm looking at simplifying and reducing some of DS10's workload. He has just completed FLL3 and we are both ready for something else. We are looking for a program that is not intense, can be done in about 10 minutes a day, is open and go, and can be worked on fairly independently. We would prefer something that doesn't have a tonne of memory work. I feel he needs grammar instruction, however his current workload is heavy and weighing him down, so I would like to start reducing/simplifying, and grammar is the first area to get a chop. We would like something that is quite unlike FLL and maybe workbook-y. Would love to hear any suggestions (no MCT - have tried and disliked this one). Sorry meant to add: prefer secular

I have this sitting on my shelf but haven't as yet used it... https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/laying-down-rails-charlotte-mason-habits/

yep I know.. it has been hard to find a writing program that is successful. DS is only 10, and has used writing programs since he was about 5. I'm thinking I need to just sit back for a while and let him write for history, science, literature etc (maybe CM style for a bit).

oops :blushing: I do actually have that one too! but thanks for the reminder, I'll check the dvd's out again.

oh good! thank you both for clarifying that!

Thanks I'll definitely hang on to it. To be honest I'm not quite sure what I am looking for. It needs to be somewhat enjoyable and not tedious or too serious but still teach all forms of writing. Sorry I know that's no help. I have a few different programs sitting around that we have tried. WWE (completed levels 1-3) WWS IEW WT Bravewriter Writeshop ILL I am wondering whether we should lean to a more traditional program (as in not classical).

We are currently using IEW and DS10 really dislikes it, I don't care much for it either and we are looking to change programs. We were considering Write On but I don't think that is going to work for us. Today I have been looking at samples from W&R and it looks like a lot of creative writing only? Does it cover any expository/persuasive writing in the first 2 books? I have read through other threads and I am seeing these books being described as creative writing? Do I have that right? My DS likes creative writing, but I don't think he will want to do only creative writing. Thanks - any light shed would be appreciated.

well..I purchased the ebook and printed it out... and I now understand the comments up thread. I can see how it might work well for some, but its a little too unstructured for me. The lack of instruction was one issue and there seemed to be a bit of busy work. I don't think my son would appreciate the busy work as he likes to get writing done and out of the way. It reminded me of another program we used once before - Writeshop (the elementary program) which didn't work for us. Thanks everyone for your comments.

Thank you for taking the time to explain Hunter. :thumbup:

Ah yes I do like that element Hunter... I think I will just order the ebook and check it out for myself.

Thank you everyone! kirstenhill and shinyhappypeople that's exactly the kind of info I was after. I prefer structured programs that spell it all out for me, I don't have time to tweak or add or use teacher-intensive programs, so maybe this one won't be a good fit. KeriJ, we are using SOTW so not sure your suggestion would work for us, although I do like the idea of programs that encourage writing across the curriculum.

Also does anyone have any cons to mention about this program?

Thank you Hunter for all of those links - I'm off to check them out. Can anyone compare this to WWS? Would it prepare a child for WWS? We are currently using IEW for no other reason than we have tried many other programs, and IEW was expensive so I figure we should use it. However my DS10 quite passionately hates it and to be honest I find it irritating to teach. Its the one program we use that DS says makes him feel 'stressed'. Not because its difficult but because its just soo mundane, all those KWO's one after the other after the other. I'm just trying to get a feel for how Write On might compare. I have looked at the samples but there are very few to view.

I've been trying to find reviews or discussions on this writing program and can't seem to locate any here, and very little with a google search. I'm keen to hear from those using this - pros and cons. I'm trying to work out whether it is full writing curriculum? I have looked at the website, and it looks like a good program? Would love to hear from others using this.

I'd start in level 3. From memory, everything that is covered in 1 and 2 is covered again in level 3, just at a quicker pace (which is not a bad thing as levels 1 and 2 can be laboriously repetitive).

Same thing happened to us! they were in the car where we had listened to them last...

We use Justin Guitar www.justinguitar.com - its free if you use the online lessons.

I ordered and it seriously took about 3 or 4 months for my physical order to arrive. We are not in the US so I put it down to that, but we typically receive items within 3-4 weeks from the US and UK. So much time had passed by the time our order had arrived that we had moved on using something else (rather CATW). Such a shame because their products look lovely.

We went from Singapore to MM.

Tear inducing - that's what the SWI-A was for my grade 3 child. We tried again in grade 4 and he was better able to cope. We also dropped the SWI-A and went with a theme book (ATFF) which for some reason is a lot easier for him to stomach.