Diana Hanbury King's Writing Skills--do I need the Teacher's Manual?

[Jayne J]

I am looking at book 1 for my daughter who needs some explicit writing guidance, but the samples of the TM that I can find look more like teacher education than an integral part of the program. Yes? No?

[Guest]

Nope. The book is more about the method. I found it useful for the extra writing ideas, but you can skip it.

[Jayne J]

Thank you! I hate buying the TM only to find it less than useful.

[Haiku]

Just a head's up. Writing Skills is *super* dry. The instruction is good, but we eventually had to switch because my son hated it because it was soooo boring.

 

I have found Write Shop more to our liking. It has both format and style instruction, whereas Writing Skills was all about format.

[Jayne J]

Thanks for the heads up! I am planning to intersperse some fun creative writing from this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118024311/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

DD has dyslexia and needs REALLY explicit, step-by-step instruction, so this seemed like the thing, but I agree that it could be dull-ish without something else to spice it up.

Edited July 29, 2016 by Jayne J

[alisoncooks]

My DD is using Writing Skills -- and we haven't needed the guide. DD is probably dyslexic and hates to write, but she has appreciated knowing exactly what's expected of her. In fact, I asked her about switching to something more interesting this year, but she's chosen to stick with WS.

[Haiku]

DD has dyslexia and needs REALLY explicit, step-by-step instruction

 

Same with my son. We also used Igniting Your Writing for instruction in (and fun with!) style.

[Another Lynn]

The guide is not needed, but it does have lists of suggested writing topics if that's helpful to you. (A bit more than the student book).

[PeterPan]

Thanks for the heads up! I am planning to intersperse some fun creative writing from this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118024311/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

DD has dyslexia and needs REALLY explicit, step-by-step instruction, so this seemed like the thing, but I agree that it could be dull-ish without something else to spice it up.

 

The Don't Forget to Write! series is exceptional, but if you need something with more scaffolding you could look at the Just Write books by EPS.  Just Write Book 1 (015545) Details - Rainbow Resource Center, Inc.

[Jayne J]

Thanks for all the suggestions! If Writing Skills doesn't pan out, I know where to start looking for a replacement!