Would we benefit from WWE if we already do dictation daily?

[ALB]

My rising 3rd grader does dictation regularly. I just choose passages from our literature, history and science. I like that the passages line up with what we are reading that day. However, I don't try to tie in any of the specific grammar we are working on (in R&S) or look for specific types of writing. Mostly, I just pick something that is beautiful writing or reinforces the concepts we are learning in our content subjects. I can't decide whether using WWE 3 would add anything to our writing. We also do written narrations a couple of times a week, and I'm planning on adding more free writing.

 

Any opinions? Thanks!

[Five More Minutes]

Huh. I'm not sure. I have a rising 3rd grader, too, so I don't have BTDT experience for WWE 3.

 

The one thing that struck me as being different about what we're doing here (using WWE2 workbook) and what you've been doing (self-selecting passages) is that WWE2 has been incrementally building summary skills. For each narration passage, there have been a series of questions to ask that work towards highlighting the main ideas. Then there are some specific questions that help identify the 2-3 main points of the passage. And then the child is asked to summarize the passage, thinking of those questions. I've found this to be helpful for me as instructor, as I wouldn't have had a sweet clue about how to lead her to summarizing a passage.

 

The grammar highlights in WWE haven't been a big component for us. We continually emphasize sentence structure, but that happens quite naturally through copywork and dictation. I wouldn't think you'd need to add in WWE for grammatical reinforcement.

 

Sorry I can't be more help. Hopefully someone else will chime in!

[fourisenough]

I would say probably not. I adore WWE 3 (we're on week 19), and as a previous poster said, there is specific instruction on how to summarize, such as 'in one sentence, tell me the main thing this passage was about' and then 'in two additional sentences, give two specific examples of this theme in the passage.' (Rough paraphrasing is mine.) If you are doing dictation as mentioned above and having your child narrate in other subjects, I would think WWE would not add anything and may seem like a duplication of your efforts.

[ALB]

Thanks. I definitely don't want to add something that isn't really needed. I'm very happy with the way we do dictation, and her narrations are pretty decent. I actually bought WWE 1 when she was in first grade and we ended up not using it at all. It just made more sense to apply the principles to books we were already reading from. I guess I just keep thinking that eventually we will need a "real" writing program to make sure we're on track.

[Tracy]

I would say if you are already doing R&S grammar, as well, then probably not. I use WWE specifically because it includes includes instruction on the mechanics of the sentence, and I don't have to have a separate program for that.

[mamamindy]

You are doing essentially what we are doing, and I use the WWE text as a guideline. Sounds like you're doing great doing your own thing! :)