How much writing for 6th grade?

[SebastianCat]

Thinking ahead to next year.....my DS will be in 6th grade. This year he and my 3rd grade DD are doing IEW's SWI level A, and he is doing very well with it.

 

I'm thinking of doing something different next year just for variety, and wanted some opinions. I'm considering doing one of the following:

 

(1) WWS level 1

(2) Having him take notes from his Readers, then write a short book report or summary of each. We will be loosely following Sonlight Core E for history, and using their Readers for Core E, so he'd be reading (and writing about) approximately 20 books over the school year.

(3) Something else? Suggestions?

 

I'm wondering if asking him to write 20 book reports is too much. But if I did that, it would replace a formal writing program.

 

I should add that he'll be doing BJU English 6 as well, which does cover writing techniques, but in a pretty gentle way.

 

Any other thoughts?

[Woodland Mist Academy]

I would suggest using WWS level 1. The program is truly a gem.

 

Assigning 20 books reports without a good foundation in writing would have little benefit. That would be putting the cart before the horse. ;)

[Chrysalis Academy]

I agree, I can't speak highly enough of the skills WWS is teaching dd. I had originally planned to assign a bunch of other writing assignments, but struggled with exactly *how* to teach the different kinds of writing, what kind of criticism/feedback was appropriate at this level, and what to expect. WWS helps the teacher teach writing effectively, as well as providing step-by-step instruction in the craft of writing academic essays.

 

I've now decided to let WWS teach dd *how* to write, and once she has the skills under her belt for doing different kinds of writing, *then* I will assign her writing across the curriculum using her own content. Like Hilltop said, I want the horse first, then the cart!

[SebastianCat]

I appreciate the feedback. Thank you very much! I think as I wrote it out I realized that assigning 20 book reports to a 6th grader was probably too much.

 

He will have completed one full year of IEW this year. Would WWS Level 1 be too redundant after that? I've looked at online samples and really like the look of the program, I'm just wondering if it would be too much of the same.

 

Thanks!

[Chrysalis Academy]

I haven't used IEW, but I have read other threads where people said that WWS was an excellent followup to IEW. Some were doing WWE, then IEW, then WWS, given them an extra year (the IEW year) to mature before beginning WWS. So I don't think it's redundant . . .

 

There is a really great, long writing thread by Ruth (lewelma) where she analyzes a bunch of writing programs, and I think this question is address there. You might try searching her user name and "writing" and see what you get.

[SebastianCat]

I haven't used IEW, but I have read other threads where people said that WWS was an excellent followup to IEW. Some were doing WWE, then IEW, then WWS, given them an extra year (the IEW year) to mature before beginning WWS. So I don't think it's redundant . . .

 

There is a really great, long writing thread by Ruth (lewelma) where she analyzes a bunch of writing programs, and I think this question is address there. You might try searching her user name and "writing" and see what you get.

 

Thank you - I will look for that thread. This was very helpful.

[TrixieB]

There is a really great, long writing thread by Ruth (lewelma) where she analyzes a bunch of writing programs, and I think this question is address there. You might try searching her user name and "writing" and see what you get.

 

I think this is the thread. Because I managed to find it, I thought I would link it. Maybe it's just me, but I'm having a terrible time searching the new board format. I rejoice on those rare occasions when my search is successful. :001_smile:

[Penelope]

WWS all the way! I'm really looking forward to the second level.

 

The other problem I can see with using only the SL readers is that many of the E and F level readers seem below 5th and 6th grade level reading to me. I am using some of the F and G with our history studies but would not want to rely on them to draw from for writing. Some of the read alouds are more what I would expect a grade 5-6 student would be reading and discussing.