katnorman Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 I'm trying to decide between these two programs for my dd that will be in 5th grade next year. She has gone through WWE 1-3 and is working on 4 this year. They both look like great programs and if you've used both and have a preference, I would love to hear it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 I am attempting to integrate them both. W&R can certainly be done in less than a year, so we are planning to alternate weeks. So far we have done about 5 chapters of WWS1 and we plan on completing 10 this semester along with Narrative 2 (traveling to my house in snail mail). I really like so far how WWS1 approaches outlines and my kid has had many lightbulb moments. We love W&R ( so far only completed the first two volumes) for creative aspects, for discussions, as well as some stylistic elements and cultural literacy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 WWS was a bad fit here - very parts-to-whole, so focused on the individual trees that you forget you are in the forest. We like W&R much better. However, the parts of W&R that are out so far are not equivalent to WWS. The first three levels are definitely pre-WWS in difficulty. The 4th level, Chreia, is just hard to compare because you are doing such a different task - a structured 6-paragraph essay for a particular purpose, vs. learning to do mostly narrative writing in scientific and historical topics in WWS. Chreia is challenging for what it is, but overall is probably still easier than WWS. Don't forget that Fable & Narrative 1 are billed as 3rd-4th grade, and Narrative 2 and Chreia as 4th-5th grade. While WWS was originally supposed to be for 5th grade, many users and SWB's newest recommendations suggest that it may be more appropriate for 6th grade. So asking for a comparison between the two is kind of comparing apples and oranges, KWIM? If I were in your shoes I would probably do Narrative 2 and Chreia in 5th grade and then do WWS in 6th grade. Of course, by then more levels of W&R will be out, so you'll be able to decide whether to continue with it or to switch to WWS based on how it is working out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventuresinHomeschooling Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 I haven't used WWS, but I have used WWE. We started CAP WR this year with my third grader. He LOVES it. He loves being able to be creative. He had also done some writing exercises in Shurley English, and he loves thinking up creative things. He never really had the chance to do that in WWE. WWS looked terribly tedious and challenging to me, and WWE to CAP is a very smooth, wonderful transition. My son, who doesn't even like to write too long, has a smile when I bring out this book. While WWS and FLL seems to be a strong program with good methodology behind it, Classical Academic Press has impressed me with infusing a strong methodology and instruction with creativity and fun. They are aesthetically beautiful and seem natural. It is so enjoyable, and the plan laid out looks very strong and rigorous even. WWS and FLL seem tedious and even boring to me. Repeat this 3x, look at this part of speech, etc. It's strong and solid, but it just doesn't seem like a good fit for us. I do like WWE for younger grades because it's quick and painless and can easily be incorporated into what we are studying. But DS actually feels like he is learning how to write with CAP, and the curriculum matches his maturity and readiness perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.