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Composition for 8th grader

Name: Great Homeschool Conventions (Columbus)
Start: 2025-04-24T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-04-26T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Columbus, OH

This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 5 months ago by jeaninpa.

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

Author
Posts
September 12, 2016 at 1:19 am
Amber
Participant
Hello!
I am looking for some advice about helping my eighth grader with her composition skills. In years past we have tried Writing Strands, but did not enjoy it. We didn’t get very far with it. She has done a fair amount of written narration over the past couple of years, as well as much oral narration. I really feel like I need to get down to business with her. She enjoys writing, especially creative writing. Are there any recommended resources?

Thank you!

Amber Brown
September 12, 2016 at 6:09 am
Melanie32
Participant
Jump In by Sharon Watson comes highly recommended around here for middle school.
I used a program called Hands On Essays in 8th grade and really liked it. It’s inexpensive and the author has free videos on her website to go with each lesson. The videos can be a bit corny according to my daughter, but the content is sound and well done.
September 12, 2016 at 6:50 am
jeaninpa
Participant
We are using Wordsmith and we are enjoying it. I’m using it with four kids from 6th to 9th. It definitely takes a “building block” approach, beginning with teaching concrete nouns and strong verbs and building incrementally. To me, it has been just the right amount of practice exercises and writing. Not at all overwhelming.
I love, love, love Sharon Watson’s programs for high school and I use those for the high school writing classes that I teach at our co-op. I would say that Jump In is a good option for jr. high as well, but we decided to try Wordsmith instead and it transitions nicely into Sharon Watson’s high school writing programs.