Classical Composition vs Writing With Ease/Skill Ready. Set. Go! Lol. No, seriously, for those who have used both, can you tell me which would be better for a very, very reluctant writer and a Mom who, while she is fairly confident in her own writing ability, has no clue how to teach writing to a child who HATES IT with every ounce of her being.... Bottom line: We are enrolling in Kolbe. Kolbe suggests, sells, and offers support for Classical Composition. However, we can choose to deviate from that if we choose while keeping her fully enrolled. They are very flexible with substitutions. We have tried Writing With Ease, but briefly. She wasn't a fan, but I feel that perhaps I didn't give it a great shot. If we did go with it, we would need to either rush through WWE4, or go straight into WWS; as Autumn intends to enter a rigorous, private brick and mortar next year... a brick and mortar that requires a certain level of writing skill (entrance exam).

Any tips or books you can recommend for teaching a fifth grader with memory issues to correctly and efficiently take notes from texts or from read alouds? More specifically, how to decide what is important, what to write down etc.

... for a fifth grader who has retained NO writing skills (in public school last year). We are enrolling in Kolbe's program and they use Classical Composition. With them guiding me through it, will it be too difficult for her (we would be using the first in their series: Fables)? Like and dislikes regarding CC would be greatly appreciated :o)

I have, yes. It was suggested by her eye doctor. Autumn has perfectly functioning eyes (although she needs a very low prescription for reading glasses). Autumn does actually have reversal (and transposing) issues. However, it doesn't seem to hinder her reading (oddly enough). It certainly does rear up in her writing and spelling though.

She is GREAT with concepts. The problem is that she mixes up the numbers... even when looking at something that she understands "conceptually". Left to right, right to left... if you know what I mean. I do give her a multiplication table with her work. I think the amount of time she has to dedicate because she doesn't have her tables memorized, frustrates her greatly. And you are absolutely right about outsourcing when necessary. Finding a math tutor in our area, who has experience with dyslexics who also happen to not be technically "behind" is a whole 'nother ballgame though. Yikes. The child reads above grade level, but writes/spells like a second grader; she does advanced science, but can only get "so far" because of her math "weaknesses". It's like this math problem is holding her back. I'm not sure if I would qualify her as gifted. I'm not sure what to qualify her as. She could read by 3 - but she has never been able to grasp phonics. She has simply taught herself to sight read *that well*. She resists learning phonics because in her head, why try when she can do it well "her way". She's a bit... willful. Lol. I will say this. We are entering her into Kolbe as a fourth grader who happens to be taking several advanced lessons. We have every intention of "holding her back" a grade level when she re-enters private school. The school she will be attending is advanced and rigorous. If she can't cut it, she's out. She only makes the cut off for fifth grade (this year) by a few days. So close, in fact, that her birthday puts her on a fourth grade soccer team. Her emotional level is much more that of a fourth grader because of what a young 10 she is. She prefers the company of 9/10 year olds vs the older 10's and 11's she meets who are also fifth graders. Right now we are very much in a "wait and see" mind set. Kolbe will allow us to start her in "fourth", speed through with tutor and educational support (including specialized), and then start in fifth when we are comfortable.

No manipulatives. I know, I know. It's complicated. Autumn will be returning to private school next year. She needs to learn to do math without them and, to be honest, she hates manipulatives. She enjoys the simplistic, but not "dry" method of CLE, which is why I was considering just buying a level down from it... but, then again, she passed the pre-tests for CLE Math 5... but still can't seem to "grasp it". *I'm over it* *Had it up to my eyeballs with math* We are enrolling her in Kolbe for the rest of the year - but they use Saxon so we are not using their math. Blah. I do have a copy of Exploring Elementary Mathematics Book 4 (from 1970) that I ordered from Abe Books just for nostalgia and reference. Perhaps I should just have her review from that and see where it gets us...

Rod and Staff is visual? I thought it was more "minimalistic" and rather dry (from other reviews). Lol - if I give her anything that resembles Saxon (in terms of dryness), she will likely have a complete meltdown.

Tried and failed to succeed with: Saxon (torture) Teaching Textbooks (she didn't do well with a comp based program) Aleks (same as TT) CLE (took placement test; and while she presumably placed into fifth grade, when we received the books, she could not understand or do the work) Considering: CLE (taken down a level to fourth grade) Math in Focus (Singapore) Singapore Standard The specifics: Autumn is 10. Severe short term memory problems (still doesn't know all of her multiplication tables); however, easily understand concepts, just lacks computation abilities. For example, she could look at a basic equation and tell me HOW to solve for "x", what steps to take, etc; but when asked to do so, frequently mixes up the number or simply cannot do the standard computation. We need something VERY incremental and VISUAL (Autumn is definitely NOT an auditory learner), and nothing that is too "busy" with the problems on the pages (like Math Mammoth). Suggestions?

It sounds great. I think we will enroll. The substitution I need to make are based on Autumn's dyslexia. I will need to start a level below in composition (while still using theirs), use my own spelling/vocabulary program, and substitute a different math program (Saxon is a disaster for us).

:001_smile:

nm

For those who use Kolbe, I have a few questions. First, is the program accredited? Second, if I want to substitute a few subjects (history, math, and vocabulary), am I able to do so; and if so, how does this work with their feedback services? Last, what are your opinions of this school option? Is it enjoyable? Easy to work with? Thanks!

Woohoo!!! Thanks. I'll contact the seller before I purchase. Looking through the fourth grade book, am I correct in noticing that the books are a bit "below standard" compared to today's standards? Fine with me as I would prefer she is solid and behind than merely guessing but "ahead". Lol.

There are a ton listed there. Unfortunately, none have a level or book attached, nor is there a button for "contact seller". I'm online now with customer service chat. Lol.

"out of stock"

Lol - let me know when you want to sell your 5th grade text :o)

I wasn't able to find the fifth grade text on abe books. I'll look again :(

Did anyone have success finding the fifth grade text? I did purchase the fourth grade text to use as brush up. It's great!

Bump. I have a 2009 pub date that I'm selling; a buyer asked me if it was the most recent (2010) and I said "no". She asked if there was any significant difference?

What are the differences between the WWE4 published in 2009 and the one published in 2010?

Crap. Must order immediately. Lol!

Looking at the scope and sequence for WWE and WWS, I am finding a lot of narration, summaries, and eventually literary essays. Does the series at all broach on other forms of writing? Persuasive/argumentative, comparison etc.

Lol! Thanks for the heads up. You did like the student book though?

For those who have used Treasure of My Catholic Faith - is the teacher's guide necessary?

I think I'm loving what I see with Treasures.