Writing curriculum, writing in general...help please?

[Sue G in PA]

Writing has been a weakness in our homeschool. That's putting it mildly. We've been all over the place with curriculum. So, next year (actually starting now) I really need to focus on writing skills with all my dc (dd7, ds10, ds11 and ds13 and then ds15 and dd16). I'm limited as far as budget, but am allotting a large portion of our budget to writing. I have looked at EIW. It looks good and gets mostly favorable reviews from Hive folks. Then, I began reconsidering IEW (had used it in the past, but just with the theme based books, not having viewed the TWSS). I figured I might change my mind about it if I had the benefit of actually seeing how to teach the program. Make sense? I also have the Writer's Jungle downloaded and need to start reading that. From what I have read of it, the philosophy really resonates with me. And then there is WWE/WWS. Too many choices. Could anyone help me figure this all out? Here is a brief synopsis of where each of my children are:

 

dd7 (2nd): LOVES to write. Often writes and illustrates her own books. Writes notes, letters, etc. Not a fabulous speller, but we're working on it. ;) Reading well above grade level

 

ds10 (4th): Struggling reader. Recently tested at about a 4th grade level (he's nearing 5th grade). Hardly any experience writing. Spelling is the same. We've focused so much on reading. Can copy sentences.

 

ds11 (6th): HATES writing. Everything from the physical ACT of putting pen to paper to thinking about what to write, etc. Has done copy work and dictation and narrations (verbal and some written). Minimal experience with original writing.

 

ds13 (7th): Has cone copy work, diction and narrations (written and verbal). Has some experience writing paragraphs, longer papers, letters, some more creative assignments...but not a ton. Doesn't enjoy writing. I need to begin focusing on essay and formal paper writing as he approaches high school.

 

ds15 (9th): Has written MANY essays this year and is improving. Isn't afraid of the writing process or putting thoughts on paper. Is a good creative writing...great imagination. Horrible speller. :(

 

dd16 (11th): Has just sort of recently come into her own with writing. Much experience with essays, has written a research paper, loves to write poetry and songs. But doesn't generally enjoy writing. But it is getting easier for her.

 

I was thinking perhaps the Elegant Essay for my high schoolers and rising 8th grader? What do you think? For the others, I have WWE2 for my 2nd and 4th graders. I was thinking about doing an IEW theme based book (US History to go with our history study next year) if I can get my hands on the TWSS cheaply. Or EIW. Or?????? I'm so overwhelmed. Just pick something for me, ok? LOL. Seriously...ready, set, discuss! Thanks. ;)

[mo2]

:lurk5: I'm in the same boat with my 11yo.

[ereks mom]

We tried the Elegant Essay last year and we were completely underwhelmed. I've tried IEW also: TWSS and also the theme-based books. This year, my 8th grader is using Writing Skills, Book 2 (for grades 7-8) by Diana H. King and published by Educator's Publishing Service (EPS). I think it's GREAT. It gently eases the student into writing paragraphs, then essays.

There are also Book A for grades 2-4, Book 1 for grades 5-6, and Book 3 for high school students. The books incorporate grammar into writing; for example, Book 2 teaches phrases and clauses as well as reviewing other grammar concepts. This has been a really good fit this year for my student who hates to write. We will continue with Book 3 next year in 9th grade. Each book is only $10-$15! I only wish I'd found these books a long time ago!

 

ETA: There is a Teacher's Handbook that goes with the series, and I bought it, but we never use it, so you can save your money and skip that. It does not contain answers to the grammar exercises; I wanted an answer key for those, so I bought one from Seton pretty inexpensively ($7, I think).

[AmyontheFarm]

We use IEW. I like the fact that I bought the dvd's and the teacher's manual and yes, it seems pricy all at once. However, I will use it for both my younger kids until they are finished high school. My high schooler is working quickly through the program for her last high school english class and is seeing a rapid rise in her grades.

 

When I considered how much I would be spending with other plans for each child, in each grade, it was definitely cheaper to go with IEW. Now, that I've watch the videos I can see how I can transfer these skills to geography, history, science, etc and make our writing more meaningful in all the subjects not just writing class. With the money back guarantee, I figured I couldn't go wrong.

 

Take the time to price it out. Look at different programs and price out the curriculum for each child. Make sure to determine if the curriculum is consumable or non-consumable and add it all up. You might be surprised at what the other programs actually cost in the end.

[delaney]

I like some aspects of IEW and this year the girls are in a course. The teacher is wonderful but still older DD hates writing. Next year I am going to use WWS for her to keep her writing and then the following year get her into a 5 paragraph essay class with the IEW teacher. I have also considered SWI-B so that I can throw her on the DVD's and know it is getting done.

[Farrar]

Since you have it and are drawn to it, read The Writer's Jungle before you pick another path. That's my advice. :) She also has a high school book that's written to the student that might be good for your two oldest.

[Sue G in PA]

Yes, this is a good plan. I do plan to read through the WJ and also the High School book (which I also have). I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed at my choices and anxious about my children's writing abilities. Thanks!

[Chrysalis Academy]

I finally broke down and got the Writer's Jungle yesterday. I was a bonehead to have waited so long. I second the suggestion to read that before making other plans. It will help you to figure out how to make use of what you've already got, and what you know about your children . . . you may find you need something else, and you may find that you don't. It's been very enlightening to read, so far.

[Chrysalis Academy]

Your 7th and 9th graders sound like they may both benefit from WWS, but I wouldn't try it with your youngers. It would guide them through the process of writing essays and research reports in a very systematic, step-by-step manner. And it is *not* too young for those ages, despite its billing as a 5th-grade program. After using it this year, I've concluded that the content is really pushing it for 5th graders, even if they are able to do the actual writing assignments.

[Hunter]

For now, I've stopped buying things and am just simplifying.

 

For now I've stopped teaching topic sentences and types of writing and any of the things so often featured in curricula. I am focusing on clustering ideas into paragraphs. Indent the paragraph, keep it to one topic, then start the next one when the topic changes. E-mails and friendly letters are good place to teach this.

 

I focus on SENTENCES during spelling/phonics with lots of copywork and dictation and sentence compositions.

 

Then a little work on interesting introductions and satisfying conclusions, and onto the research paper.

 

Over teaching was doing more harm than good. Students were approaching writing like textbook math problems, looking for the right method to solve a problem, and not sure which one to pick.

[momto2Cs]

We tried the Elegant Essay last year and we were completely underwhelmed. I've tried IEW also: TWSS and also the theme-based books. This year, my 8th grader is using Writing Skills, Book 2 (for grades 7-8) by Diana H. King and published by Educator's Publishing Service (EPS). I think it's GREAT. It gently eases the student into writing paragraphs, then essays.

There are also Book A for grades 2-4, Book 1 for grades 5-6, and Book 3 for high school students. The books incorporate grammar into writing; for example, Book 2 teaches phrases and clauses as well as reviewing other grammar concepts. This has been a really good fit this year for my student who hates to write. We will continue with Book 3 next year in 9th grade. Each book is only $10-$15! I only wish I'd found these books a long time ago!

 

ETA: There is a Teacher's Handbook that goes with the series, and I bought it, but we never use it, so you can save your money and skip that. It does not contain answers to the grammar exercises; I . I wanted an answer key for those, so I bought that from Seton pretty inexpensively ($7, I think).

 

 

I finally broke down and got the Writer's Jungle yesterday. I was a bonehead to have waited so long. I second the suggestion to read that before making other plans. It will help you to figure out how to make use of what you've already got, and what you know about your children . . . you may find you need something else, and you may find that you don't. It's been very enlightening to read, so far.

 

 

I agree with both these posts. My ds11, a reluctant writer, is really benefiting from Writing Skills (we're doing book A right now). What I'm thinking for fall is a combo of Brave Writer/The Writer's Jungle, and Writing Skills Book 1.