Essentials in Writing anyone?

[Iamblessed]

Has anyone used Essentials in Writing with good success? I was thinking about using this. What was it about this program that you like/disliked?Anyone use it with reluctant writers? I have been using FLL and WWE for my elementary students. Would this replace WWE or both as far as writing and grammer? Also, would this be good for a highschooler who is a reluctant writer and could use help with the writing process? Thanks for any input!:001_smile:

[scrapbabe]

My highschooler is using it. He's not a reluctant writer. He has good ideas in his head and can put them on paper. But he lacks the ability to properly structure a paper. It has been good for him. He does it on his own then applies the writing to other papers he is writing for some outside classes he is taking. He has been assigned a research paper for one of his classes, so we are skipping ahead to the research paper portion of the DVD and having him work through the lessons while writing his paper for class. It has been useful for him and me. It may not be my particular favorite way to teach writing... it's not super inspiring, but it does teach the process and so far he has been able to apply what he's learning to other assignments. Hope this helps.

[MerryAtHope]

I'm using it with 8th & 10th graders. Here's a review I wrote last spring. It's been very helpful for my oldest, reluctant writer (in fact, he has enjoyed some of the writing assignments, and even asked to do an additional paragraph on a topic last week, which is not normal!) I like it because it's very direct and incremental for him, and because it makes teaching easy for me.

 

Last year my daughter used Karen Andreola's Story Starters, and I was concerned about starting her on Essentials. I thought it might not seem creative enough to her, or not as fun, but she actually enjoys it a lot. It's not flashy but the concepts shine through. It's made my job a lot easier, and I think I've learned a few things about comma usage too! (Well, please don't judge by this post; I didn't edit it!)

 

Merry :-)