I think I'm looking for pointers, tips, how-tos. Which subjects? How do you determine the output, or what your child puts on that blank page? Do you use pre-printed pages from that mega note booking site? Do you give your kid a blank journal and do "interactive notebooks"? Would anyone kindly point a newbie to websites or share pictures of what YOUR notebooks look like? :D

Awesome! Thank you so much for the info. I emailed her and hope she responds soon! :)

Does anyone know where to find this book? Does anyone have one to sell? Thank you for your help!

Bumping this old thread. Is Simply Spelling now out of print?

I'm debating too... I think my 8 yr old DD would enjoy the preprinted pages as well, however, would I really use this when I have MFW student sheets? Anyone else care to chime in? Does anyone have a great blog with pictures showing their notebooking? :-)

Bumping this awesome thread. I'm wondering how this has worked out for you, BlsdMama, and everyone else who's done something like this! :-)

We loved Jolly Phonics too! So sad I sold it... :/

We've used both CLE LA and and BJU English for grade 2 (just switched over to BJU English, and the isolated, single concept per page is a much better fit for my DD). CLE LA spiraled too much on each page and it made her frustrated. The writing instruction in BJU is much better, in my opinion. We also use WWE. CLE math is gentle but thorough, and working for us, so we're sticking with it as well.

If you ever change your mind -- we were in the exact same boat -- so we switched to BJU English. And DD7 loves it!

Thanks ladies! Super helpful. :)

Bumping this old thread...

Thank you Prairiewindmomma! Do you think FLL is more thorough or better streamlined? Other than the too much writing part, did you think VIE was a solid program? Just wondering why you'd go back to FLL...

I'm wondering if anyone has had positive (or negative) reviews of VIE for grade 3. How is this for an all-in-one minus spelling? Pros and cons? Would love to hear from anyone who has used this! Thanks!

Paradox -- do you like VOE at the higher levels? I'm thinking of using it next year for Grade 3, along with Apples and Pears spelling. I see you switched out the writing part and stuck with WWE? Do you not feel it's strong enough? Would love your input! Thanks!!

Ahhh, what you wrote is music to my ears!! I agree with pretty much everything you said, especially about the summary skill being a logic stage skill. I mean, I know some elementary kids can summarize with ease, but in my DD's case she's just not there yet... I'm sure she would eventually get better at it, with more intensive practice, but at what cost? And can I just say how much I hate our current education system?? It's just too much, too fast. And why, oh why, do I feel compelled to stay on track with them?? I need blinders!! I grew up in Montgomery County in the 80s and turned out just fine without knowing how to diagram sentences in third grade. Ugh!

I'm so glad you responded, Farrar!! I was hoping you would. Question for you. In your opinion, if DD struggles hard with summarizing passages in clear, coherent sentences, should I just keep working at it, plodding along with WWE, or should I just jump ship and use BW for a more gentle LA experience? She's not entirely balking at the summarizing aspect but she definitely struggles with it, being super right-brained and creative. (She's the type who gets tongue-tied when emotional and her sentences make no sense. I've wondered if there's some sort of learning disorder, but she's able to write and spell clearly 80% of the time.) What would you do??

SORRY! I just realized BW has a "Quiver of arrows" program out for 1st-2nd grade and the lit selections are perfect for where my DD is. I wish there were samples to see!!!!

Hello all! I posted on the writing boards accidentally, and Chrysalis Academy kindly pointed me back here. My second grader DD is doing "ok" with the end of WWE1 (we got waaay behind because of a cross-country move and baby #3), but now I'm starting to think about methodologies in teaching writing. If you don't fall in the WWE/copywork/dictation/narration camp, what other methods are there to teach writing? I know BW is gentle in K-2, and I'm wondering how explicit the writing instruction is?? For anyone who has used the Wand, I'd love some input! I'm toying with the idea of combining WWE2 with the Wand for variety and creative writing instruction. BUT if they are both full of narration/copywork, would it be redundant?? (Or maybe should I consider another program? Is TC too advanced for a second grader?) Thanks so much in advance - for any input or advice!

Thank you so much, Chrysalis Academy!! This is exactly what I was looking for and needed to hear. So appreciate you taking the time to reply!! :hat:

Hello all, My DD is in second grade, and I'm only now (late!) starting to think about teaching writing skills in lower elementary. Specifically, I'm sorting through teaching methods of expository writing (vs. creative writing). If you don't fall in the SWB WWE camp, or the CM narration/dictation/copywork camp, what other methods or ways are there to teach? And which curriculum would help towards that end? Do most folks here use either WWE or some form of narration/dictation/copywork to teach writing? And then what about creative writing? Is there a place for it in the lower grades? If so, what ought the goals be? I so appreciate your time!!

Oh I was just looking at TC!! There are too many good choices out there...

Sorry this would be for third grade...

Just thinking ahead to next year... is MCT a complete LA program? I'm drawn to it but also to CAP Fables, but then what would you add to round out LA? We are using CLE for LA now but I wanted to do something different for writing. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

We didn't even get to week 17. But it was close, I think! Good thought about doing every other week. My DD can easily fill up a page with writing but I'm not sure where her summarizing skills are yet. Good to know about the jump in difficulty in WWE2! Hmmmm....

My DD never finished WWE1 but here we are, middle of second grade and I'm wanting t start it up again (we quit bc it was so repetitive but writing is not getting done now so...). Anyhow should I pick up where I left off or start at the beginning of WWE2? Her skills are probably on or slightly behind the average second grader. Thanks in advance!