Starting Late with CAP Writing & Rhetoric? (12 y/o)

[Happygrl]

My daughter will be 12 next year and I'm really stuck on her writing program.  We used Writing Strands this year with the hope it would give her some confidence & lessen her resistance.  And it has.  But neither of us have loved it for a main writing curriculum.  I'm back to looking at Writing & Rhetoric but I'm wondering about jumping in at this age.  Could I jump to somewhere around Book 5?  Or do you really need to start at the beginning?  I would say she's probably more around a 5th grade level for writing.  

(I looked on their site for placement advice and didn't see any besides the grade level.)

Edited February 22, 2016 by Happygrl

[RootAnn]

YMMV, but I don't think it is hard to jump in at Book 3. That is where I hopped in. That is the only level I have used. You can use it faster and double up. How ever, I would make sure it is what you are looking for before buying multiple levels no matter where you jump in.

[rebbyribs]

Their samples are really good - I think it's 3 full lessons (weeks) from each book.  I would probably have the child do the sample lessons for the first few books and then buy whichever book seemed like the right level.

[Targhee]

I haven't reached book 5, but I did have DD do book 3 at 11(turned 12) years old. I had used book 1 with DS, and maybe once or twice used that background to help with book 3. I think starting in book 3 is a good place, if she likes the samples.

 

DS does W&R because it has variety, small bites, and gives both the big picture and the details/skills needed for writing. He still struggles (resists) writing whenever it is asked of home, but with W&R (and patience, time) he's come a long way. It's working for him!

[Happygrl]

Thanks for the feedback!  We're at a pause point with Writing Strands, so we'll start the samples tomorrow.  

 

Their samples are really good - I think it's 3 full lessons (weeks) from each book.  I would probably have the child do the sample lessons for the first few books and then buy whichever book seemed like the right level.

I looked at the samples myself but didn't even think about having her do them! LOL