oh Crystal!!! yes, I've been wrestling with "how the heck do I fill in the gaps" for a month! Thanks for looking ahead for me so I don't have to finagle fitting in the extra writing time.

This is what we NEED this week! A creative writing assignment! Okay, changed my mind - This will be her week to write in her own style then I will get ready for the next argumentative paper. Feeling better already. (good to hear from you Crystal!!)

Okay - all good advice - thank you! We are starting Week 6 today, which has a writing assignment from the Notgrass book. I'm going to use it to break down the process a little each day this week. I really, really do not want to add a whole separate curriculum --- but will do my own research in order to better help her. And I will be patient :crying: in the process. Northcoast - I did print out the sample pages of WWS 2 section on intros and conclusions; very helpful! I need to do a better job at tying what she "knows" to what she "does" - making it all connect.

yes, Crystal, this is a good idea. She told me she liked how WWS broke everything down step by step (day one do this, etc.) - by the end of the week the assignment was complete. I could do this with AHL -- just need to break it down for her on the grid. And thanks for the Owl resource!

This advice is in relation to what cbollin is suggesting - break it down and spend more one-on-one time with her. Which I know needs to be done, regardless of what I add or omit. The questions she is having are more geared toward "this is hard, break it down for me" rather than "I don't know how to do this". Some of it is just writer's block. And sometimes it is a matter of not knowing the proper format - "how" to write the introduction, conclusion, etc. I don't want to feel as tho we are back-peddling throughout high school. I have the tendency to over analyze...which brings doubt...when most of the time I just need to stop, spend time with her on that particular thing, then move forward. I just do not want to confuse her, or make her insecure with writing.

My dd completed WWS 1 and The Creative Writer as an 8th grader. It was a huge year for her - solidifying skills and confidence building. I wrestled with continuing onward with WWS 2 (and then 3) or move directly into "just" MFW AHL for 9th grade. We did begin MFW AHL and the writing component has completely thrown us off. The focus is on the argumentative essay - same format throughout the year. There is instruction in that type of writing, but my dd looks at me with "deer in the headlights" expression asking for help. She is very frustrated. There are obviously gaps from the end of WWS 1 to "write a 5 paragraph argumentative essay". She has ASKED to go back and do WWS 2. Is it realistic to "add" WWS 2 to our already full day? Or do I have her do WWS 2 and omit part of AHL? The literature supplement is tied into the grammar/composition AND the history assignments so it would be difficult to separate it all. sigh. How in the world do I "teach" writing skills where WWS 1 left off and still follow AHL lesson plans? Feeling a bit overwhelmed --- Someone please help me sort out the confusion.

I do not expect her to test out - nor do I expect fluency. But I do want her to enjoy the process and gain understanding of vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure --- written as well as auditory/visually. Thanks for your input Crystal!

Could someone please explain to me how RS teaches grammar? The MFW lesson plans indicate grammar lessons - but after watching the RS demo I have no clue as to HOW they teach it. When I learned Spanish in high school and college there was a huge focus on vocabulary and grammar first. RS seems backwards to me. I have everything ready to start 9th grade except a Spanish program. I typically follow all of MFW recommendations but am having a difficult time with the RS choice (price, as well as apparent lack of grammar instruction). I have also looked at Breaking the Barrier Spanish and AO Lifepacs Spanish. I realize these are both more workbook oriented, but the format makes more sense to me. I don't expect fluency - but want to make a onetime curriculum decision to get my dd through high school (2-3 yrs of language study). Thanks in advance!

We are getting ready to begin AHL and I plan to describe each year as Crystal just described - looking forward to this part of our homeschool journey!! 1 - Old Testament Survey 2 - New Testament Survey 3 - Christian Worldview Studies 4 - Spiritual Disciplines

The syllabus is on sale for $24!!! That is all you need to do this course! (and a camera, of course!). This one semester course is totally doable on your own - the syllabus is written to the student. The instructions are to email the pictures to the "real teacher" but since we are not doing the course online I plan to have my daughter and I create our own Flickr account for me to see her work as she does it. Before I ordered the syllabus I asked OM about doing the class on our own, and was told "Yes!". Hope that helps! Lisa

We are planning to use Oak Meadow's Intro to Photography one semester course - I just received the syllabus and am very excited about how it is laid out. The focus is NOT on camera basics - instead it is more of a composition and style focus, integrating form and technique.

9th grade plan for my daughter: MFW Ancients - Bible, History, English MUS - Algebra 1 Apologia Physical Science Logic - Fallacy Detective/Thinking Toolbox (.5 credit) OM Intro to Photography (.5 credit) P.E. - cross country skiing/biking/hiking horseback riding/USEF accreditation * still trying to make a decision about foreign language.

I totally agree! I also appreciate your previous post with your recommendations about freebies - I love the "Free Rice" site! Thanks for your input!

This is great news - WWS 1 has been a perfect fit for 8th grade dd.

Wow. I am overwhelmed with your responses of "hugs" and encouragement. I went to bed shortly after posting this last night...had no idea what I would wake up to. Thank you! Right now everything is as routine as possible - she's learning and "being a kid". I am grateful we are still home schooling so she can have even more time with her dad during this season. And I am learning to take the pressure off myself and focus on the basics with her - remembering that it's "okay" to do just that. I have homeschool friends nearby that are happy to help with "whatever" we need, so when the time comes I will definitely ask for it (meals, a place for dd to hang out, whatever). Thanks again for everyone's sweet encouragement. I am blessed!

Southern Maine!!! The Portland area...

My husband was diagnosed with stage IV renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) this summer and just started treatment. We have an 8th grader at home...just curious how many of you have home schooled during an illness like this, and how it went for you? Did you modify at all? We are doing school, but remaining flexible around doctor appointments.

I don't think there is anything wrong with it. I have a glass almost every night as I am making dinner...my time to unwind and listen to music and chill...good for the heart, the body, and soul.

I totally agree with Janice's post! After three years of Writing Strands (didn't ever try IEW) WWS is a breath of fresh air! I, too, thought "where has this been all my life?" ha-ha! Love the program, and love that my daughter is finally understanding and able to follow through with writing skills.

Back to the original question about taking Algebra as an 8th grader...my son did this and then ended up in a public high school that did not recognize this credit. It was a headache. Find out what your local requirements are before you plan ahead - even if you think you'll home school thru high school, you never know what may end up happening.

I agree that WWS is to be independent - my 8th grade dd is doing this completely independently and is doing a fine job. I help her occasionally with the directions, but otherwise she is on her own. I have been very impressed with how clearly the student workbook speaks to the student. After 3 years of Writing Strands, this is a breath of fresh air! My daughter is finally understanding the components of writing, and even enjoying it as she gains confidence.

For my dd: WWS level 1 The Creative Writer Vocabulary from Classical Roots A and B Applications of Grammar reading list pulled from WTM and Honey for a Teen's Heart

:iagree: to all of the above. We actually have read all of them. You also could use an analogy from Corrie ten Boom's father. Once when she asked a question about that sort of thing, he replied by asking her to carry his suitcase. When she couldn't lift it because it was too heavy, he told her that it is how some information is...too heavy for her right now, but in time she'll be able to handle it.

I would definitely hang on to them. Your youngest may even enjoy them as a read-aloud whenever you're studying that particular period in history.

My dd will start this as a 7th grader. There are six levels - How long should I expect each "level" to take? The only info I found on the website mentioned 1/2 a school year for the first 2 levels (?). I am trying to plan ahead into high school. Thanks so much!