RanchGirl Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 (edited) Looking for feedback (experiences, pros/cons?) and also wondering how it works -- do I need the Core, the workbooks (A&B) and the instructor's guides (A&B)? Or can I just purchase workbook A and IG A and no core? Edited September 1, 2009 by RanchGirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcara Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate in Arabia Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 do I need the Core, the workbooks (A&B) and the instructor's guides (A&B)? Or can I just purchase workbook A and IG A and no core? The core is the main program, I think that is where you should start purchase-wise. I also used (and use with Homer) the instructor guides and workbooks. The instructor guides are not like Teacher's Editions; they lay out lesson plans and give the answers, but they don't give the main material of what it is you're studying and how to go about teaching that to your student, kwim? It's like the core is the main book, the workbooks are some drills, and the instructor guides really are like an answer key (with some additional planning help in there).. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie in OR Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 I would get the core as well as the instructor's guides. That was recommended to me when I was starting out and I am thankful for the advice: there is quite a bit of helpful information in there that is not in the IG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiegirl Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 You definitely need the core, that is the meat of the program. I just used the IG as it had everything laid out for me as well as the weekly models. I didn't use the workbooks because of finances and we managed okay. There were some confusing times with not using the workbooks but I tried to fill in the blanks on my own. I have been trying to figure out if I will buy the workbooks when I use Aesop with my ds (next year) but I think I will muddle through again without them. :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 You need the Core, and then if you want to design your own selections and so on you can. Or you can get the IG and student book and use their selections and lessons. But it's designed around the Core, and so that you can do it yourself if you want. For us, I bought all 3--I didn't have the time or expertise to design my own lessons and select new stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siloam Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Looking for feedback (experiences, pros/cons?) and also wondering how it works -- do I need the Core, the workbooks (A&B) and the instructor's guides (A&B)? Or can I just purchase workbook A and IG A and no core? Tana, Yes you need them all. I don't use the Student books, but I still buy them for a couple reasons. One is that I am highly visual and it helps me see what is going on, two is that while I don't use them, they reference what pages in the Core to read to the child so they understand what is expected of them. I adore CW. It allows the child to be creative as they want, teaches them how to use grammar to rewrite (this is more Homer), and add descriptive derail (Aesop). I am very pleased with the results so far. My oldest loves to change the people and setting while keeping the moral. My 2nd dd I know will probably not be quite as creative and just do a straight rewrite. Either is acceptable. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Is there a maximum age where you think this would not work anymore? I have an almost 15 yo who really needs help with writing..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 You could ask on the CW forums, but they do have an "older beginners" course that will take an older kid through Aesop and Homer more quickly. The whole CW sequence is designed to go up through high school, but they're not all finished yet; Herodotus, which is for 9th grade and up, is now in beta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Thanks for the link to the CW forums! They have a read-only section there about placing students & it answered my questions. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RanchGirl Posted September 11, 2009 Author Share Posted September 11, 2009 thanks for the replies, this is very helpful. I think I'm going to get the core, IG and workbook, it sounds like they will all be useful. Just wish they didn't cost so much.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I would order the core, IG A, and workbook A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siloam Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Thanks for the link to the CW forums! They have a read-only section there about placing students & it answered my questions. Thanks again. I didn't see your question the first time, but yes you would want to go with the Older Beginners set, which covers Aesop and Homer on a single year. Given that is a lot of ground to cover it would probably leave your head spinning at times, but once you got through it the pace would slow a bit. :D The reason why I say it would leave your head spinning is CW builds skills step by step. For instance you start out learning to change tense with just words, then the next week you are changing tense with both words and with sentences. The next week you do so with words, sentences and paragraphs while at the same time you are now learning to change between plural and singular with words. I actually think they cover singular plural before tense, but you get the idea. It is very structured and logical in its movement, but there is a lot of movement in the program so there really is no kicking back and doing the same thing week after week. It will keep you hopping. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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