Is there enough writing in R&S 6?

[WaterLily]

I know this is a matter of opinion, of course. I was considering adding a writing program to my 6th graders R&S English this year but now I'm not so sure I want to do that - just for the simple fact that I don't want to get in over my head with too much to do. I did recently receive my R&S 6 English books and I need to look through them to get an idea of the writing assignments, but I thought that maybe there might be some people here that have already been thorough them and might have some thoughts. And I thought I might mention that my ds does not like writing at all - report writing, story writing, anything like that. He's not a bad writer, though. He just doesn't like it.

 

Thanks!

[LisaNY]

The writing instruction in R&S 6 can be used as your only form of writing instruction if you then take what is taught and apply it across the curriculum.

(Outlining a section in a science text, writing a paragraph about a history topic, doing a report on a history or science topic, a book report on their current reading assignments, etc.)

 

All of that being said, you might want to research writing programs to help instill at least a tolerance for writing that could develop into a like for writing.

I hear good things about IEW with reluctant writers.

 

Writing is such an important skill - especially in the upper grades and beyond.

[Rhondabee]

I've never been able to add to R&S without it being overkill. But I *do* use writing across the curriculum in history and science, as LisaNY mentioned.

 

Also, even though the Wordsmith was more interesting, my ds likes just having *one* book.

 

=)

Rhonda

[MIch elle]

but R&S English 6 but now I wish I had. With my next ds, he'll be using R&S E.6 with IEW Ancient History Based Writing Lessons this upcoming school yr.

 

I've learned to lighten the load w/ R&S E. and have dc do less of the written exercises.

[WaterLily]

I'm definitely not happy about the way my ds feels about writing and would like to do change that (of course he's got a laziness issue in general!). IEW is not an option for us right now because of cost but I have considered it in general. Here's what I'm wondering (and this just came to me), does anyone use Writing Strands anymore? I haven't heard a lot about it lately but I know at least it used to be very popular. I just really feel like I want to add some writing but I don't want to overwhelm either my son or myself and from what I remember WS is affordable and pretty easy to implement. (I owned a couple of the books years ago but didn't use them at the time...I need to go rummaging around and see if I still have them!). Of course if I do try WS, I haven't a clue which level to use. Hmmm....

 

Thanks again!

[MIch elle]

It's affordable and I don't think buying the TWSS dvd's is necessary to using the history theme programs (from my experience with IEW U.S History Writing Lessons).

[Cindy in Indy]

when you look at your R&S 6 book, you'll see that there are about 30 lessons that focus on writing. (They are noted with an asterisk * in the Table of Contents.) For us that averaged out to about 1 per week. Since the instructions are very clear and the topics are well-defined (and my kids thought they were interesting), I wouldn't load my reluctant writer down with "another" program. Then he also has to learn the supplemental program's methods, tricks, and intention. SWB says that the writing exercises in R&S are well-designed, and I went with her recommendation. We've been pleased with our dc's progress.

 

I do like LisaNY's suggestion to practice the writing skill across the curriculum (do a report about your history topic, outline your science reading, etc.)

 

BTW, you can do many of the grammar lessons/exercises orally, if you want to reduce his physical writing load.

 

HTH,

Cindy