Reluctant Writer - High School

[sixtimemomma]

My DS is a reluctant writer...he hates it...and quite frankly gets stuck. I am worried about this weak area, as I know writing is very necessary for college, life, etc.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[1Togo]

Where in the writing process does he get stuck? In other words, are his problems rooted in concrete skills; i.e. spelling, sentence structure, organizing, grammar, etc., or does he struggle with ideas?

Edited August 5, 2011 by 1Togo

[Julie in MN]

Where in the writing process does he get stuck? In other words, are his problems rooted in concrete skills; i.e. spelling, sentence structure, organizing, grammar, etc., or does he struggle with ideas?

 

:iagree:

 

Also, is he writing with a pencil or with a keyboard?

 

Julie

[Jilly6]

I hope someone answers this because I have one who gets stuck too.

[Rhonda in TX]

IEW is a fantastic writing program for the reluctant writer. It really does help them past the "stuck" stage.

[Brigid in NC]

IEW is a fantastic writing program for the reluctant writer. It really does help them past the "stuck" stage.

:iagree:

[TravelingChris]

What IEW program is for high schoolers who are reluctant writers? My youngest is one- she can write and when she does, it actually is done well. But she has two issues- one, spelling (as she says- she has a bit of dyslexia) and the other issue is extreme perfectionism.

[sixtimemomma]

My DS gets stuck when asked to write period. I think it's he has trouble with ideas and putting it all together.

[Negin]

Although Apologia Jump In is geared more for middle school, I would use it for a very reluctant high schooler.
 

[1Togo]

For the perfectionist, have the student write in ink and teach them to neatly cross through errors and move on. Writing in ink makes it impossible to erase and change...erase and change. The student learns that all writing goes through revisions, sometimes multiple revisions, because their ink paper(s) is a draft.

Edited August 6, 2011 by 1Togo

[1Togo]

I agree that IEW does a good job helping stuck writers get some basics under their belt. I use Units 1-6 from TWSS for elementary and middle school. Those units teach key word outlining, writing a three-paragraph story summary, writing a three-paragraph story from pictures, and short reports. After that, I use Classical Composition, which follows the progymnasmata. I haven't seen anything to compare with the progym exercises for developing ideas. In fact, after the first two levels, every paragraph of every paper requires the student to interact with an idea in various ways; i.e. comparison, cause/effect, support, etc. Memoria Press is offering a three-year track for middle school and high school that covers all 14 levels of the progym.

Edited August 6, 2011 by 1Togo

[nrself]

I agree that IEW does a good job helping stuck writers get some basics under their belt. I use Units 1-6 from TWSS for elementary and middle school. Those units teach key word outlining, writing a three-paragraph story summary, writing a three-paragraph story from pictures, and short reports. After that, I use Classical Composition, which follows the progymnasmata. I haven't seen anything to compare with the progym exercises for developing ideas. In fact, after the first two levels, every paragraph of every paper requires the student to interact with an idea in various ways; i.e. comparison, cause/effect, support, etc. Memoria Press is offering a three-year track for middle school and high school that covers all 14 levels of the progym.

 

 

Where do you start with the Classical Composition series after using TWSS for the earlier grades?  Do you get through the last 3 levels or just the ones on the MP catalog?

 

Thanks!

Nicole

[wingedradical]

I used level c of the main course for my highschooler when we first started homeschooling her. A couple of the stories were too childish for her, but she didn't mind. Some kids might. We had both the workbook, parent book and the dvds. I found Andrew Padewa's voice irritating, but she liked him <g>. Another negative thing about level c for a highschool, though, is that the kids on the dvds are mostly a lot younger. There are older kids - I can tell because you can hear some male voice change - but you never see them. The kids in the front are definitely middle schoolers and some, not very old middle schoolers. This might bother some high schoolers. On the other hand, if you need it, you need it.

[Julie of KY]

IEW did not help my reluctant writer much. He could follow the formula, but had a horrible time coming up with words of his own. Bravewriter has been wonderful for helping him find his voice.