Please advise: ds 12 yo 7th gr. writing program

[laure]

I'd love some suggestions for a writing program for my son 12 yo (7th next year). He used Writing Strands a couple of years ago and didn't like it all--as I recall he didn't like being assigned to write. Oh well, and he wants to go to ps in high school! :001_huh: We have Classical Writing Aesop, which for some reason we just have not used. I can't remember now why we left it behind. I wish SWB's older book were available for him now, but I need to find something this summer to figure out and be ready for the school year.

 

He has used Daily Paragraph Editing for two years and Easy Grammar last year. He can write a so-so paragraph, book report, etc. He just tends to "fill the space", if that makes sense. He has to think for a long time to really tell you something and usually asks me for several sentences along the way.

 

We have not done copywork, dictation, but have done some narration while we're reading books for history, science, literature, etc.

 

I'd like him to learn how to write a well-organized paragraph, essays, summaries, etc. so he can succeed when he goes on to ps high school and college and life. IEW seems so expensive but maybe that's what we need. Are the history based IEW programs adequate?? I saw those in Rainbow Resource.

 

Thanks. I love this site. Laure:)

[Beth in Central TX]

We have Classical Writing Aesop, which for some reason we just have not used. I can't remember now why we left it behind.

 

but I wouldn't use CW Aesop for a 7th grader. There's a more suitable workbook available for older students starting the program: http://home.att.net/~classicalwriting/Older_Beginners.htm

 

CW has been a very successful program in our homeschool. We've used Aesop B, Homer A, and Poetry for Beginners A. I've seen improvement in my boys' writing not only in the CW assignments, but in other subjects as well.

 

Since you only have about 2 years before your son goes to public school, another writing option for you is The Lost Tools of Writing found here: http://www.circeinstitute.org/l_lostoolsofwriting.shtml

[Rhondabee]

I haven't used it, but Write Shop is a two-year writing program designed for 7th-8th grades. It has alot of hand-holding for mom from what I've read on the boards. (Especially on how to critique and grade) I don't use it because we're using Rod & Staff, and I feel comfortable with what we're doing right now.

 

I'll link below.

 

http://www.writeshop.com/productline.htm

 

There are also a couple of online writing courses for 7th grade. I looked briefly at one (just to see how it compared to R&S), and I was *very* impressed at how positive the feedback was on the sample. I'll try to link here:

 

http://www.home2teach.com/

 

http://www.writeathome.com/Display.aspx?tabid=1

 

Best wishes!

Rhonda

[Angel]

I would check out Jump In writing from Apologia. Dd and I like how it breaks down the writing steps and goes through each part of the piece being written (like persuasive paper for example) then has you put all the pieces you worked on together at the end. Each writing assignment gets a littler tougher and teaches a new concept or adds more to something already studied. It's very conversational. My dd who doesn't like to write for an assignment has done well with this program this year. There is enough material to use for two years...that's what we're doing.

 

HTH

[MIch elle]

I think they can be used without the expense of buying the IEW TWSS (although, we do have it).

 

Join the IEW families yahoo group and look at all the samples and helps in the files.

[Niebski]

My 7th dd is doing classes through online sources: home2teach, bravewriter.... she is much more careful and calm when writing for others! I'm still not totally satisfied with the courses, but she's only taken a few so far...

 

Sue