Questions about 6th grade curriculum, especialLy writing

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  • January 12, 2012 at 3:14 pm
    CheeseAndSprinkles
    Member

    I just pulled my 6th grader from public school and am not sure what writing program to use. I also need feedback on the other curriculum im using We are using Teaching Textbooks 6, memorizing math facts, Spelling Wisdom, Easy Grammar, and Italics handwriting. Italics handwriting and Easy Grammar haven’t come in the mail yet so we haven’t actually started those yet. We read from Aesops fables and he narrates but I have not required writing yet. I have gotten mixed advice on this, some say to hold off until he can organize his thoughts through narration and some say to start WWE. He has severe ADHD, SPD, and a diagnosed learning disability so his handwriting is atrocious and his writing not up to par with a public schooled 6th grader but I’m not sure what I should expect as a homeschooled 6th grader. I’m a CM/classical homeschooler and I know both styles have children independently writing in later grades than PS. We also won’t be starting history or science until fall in order to focus mainly on math, reading, handwriting, and language arts (Spelling Wisdom and Easy Grammar).

    I would love any and all feedback, good and bad!

    Thanks,

    Jennifer

    January 12, 2012 at 4:32 pm
    sbkrjulie
    Participant

    We have almost the same storyline in life. Laughing

     

    I pulled my son out around the end of 4th grade when the ADHD medications were causing him to talk suicide and very negative thoughts about himself at the tender age of 9. Not to mention, how he felt coming down off the medication. Cry We tried keeping him in public school and NOT take medications but his grades dropped dramatically within  6 weeks so I knew it was time to homeschool. We “unschooled” for the first year just to find our groove, and that was quite a struggle. I found a great co-op and they offered such treasured wisdom for me on those days where I could do nothing but cry. During that time, we focused on math, reading, spelling, and grammar, as well as handwriting. I was advised, at that time,  not to be too concerned about not having a solid history or science curriculum until possibly 7th grade as most of it would be repeated in Jr High to High school. I should just give him a bit of exposure to it until then. He loves documentaries and nature shows so that was not a concern for me after that time.

    Good news is that we endured and he is now in 6th grade..and doing wonderful!!! We do still have some focusing issues but he is NOT on medications and his creativity really shines. He was also diagnosed with dyslexia as an underlying disability. His spelling is not “up to par” but that will come in time. His handwriting is great in cursive but he hates writing in cursive because “it takes too long” Wink LOL

     

    We are also using Teaching Textbooks (which he LOVES as do I since I am NOT a math person), and Easy Grammar 6. I have also been using Spelling Power which has really helped in reinforcing those words he has the most trouble. I have started him on Wordsmith Apprentice for his writing program. With WSA, he is basically working for a “newpaper” and has to write articles, etc in a gradual process.  I have heard great things about it from others in our co-op so we shall see. I tried Writing Strands and dropped it after a week. It was just too choppy and boring for my kids.

    Handwriting—that just comes from copywork for us. His printing is awful so he has to do a lot of correcting and rewriting, but he understands…at least I think he does Undecided I guess it is a good thing that most work these days is done on the computer LOL but still…..

     

    One thing I have learned from this inspirational board/forum is that if my son cannot give a good oral narration he will not be able to write a good narration. We are working on a lot of oral narration now as well as with my daughter who is in 3rd grade (and a completely different learning style).

     

    I have also learned to stop comparing myself to public school. Everytime I have worried sick about him “being behind” our co-op director (and dear friend) asks me just who is he behind in school…his sister? Laughing

     

    I am also working on him to be more independent with his schoolwork. So far, it is working out perfectly. I have a planner with the lessons of the day in it and he just checks to see what is next for him to do. He likes to get done so he can have his free time Cool I may also try out Workboxes for their scheduling next year…still thinking on that one.

     

    Just know that there will be days of struggle and frustration. On those days, just stop and have a free day from school….that is depending on your state laws. I am in Texas and we are not required to have a set amount of school days or even take standardized testing, so I have a lot of freedom. It does not help either one of you to do the work while being emotional…trust me on that one Undecided

     

    In the meantime, read all the wonderful advice and suggestions offered here on SCM. Download all the free samples and e-books too!! I have learned so much and I am so ready to start the CM method of teaching my children. I regret not following up on this method sooner.

     

    God bless you on this new journey!!!

    Julie

    January 12, 2012 at 4:53 pm
    momto2blessings
    Participant

    Welcome!  If it were me, I think I would work at oral narrations for a while.  When he gets comfortable with those I would slowly add in some written narrations.  At some time in jr. hi. I’d probably use a program like Jump in: https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=87

    I haven’t used this yet, but am planning on it for my current 6th grader.  I’ve heard good reviews on it (you can search here for some posts by Bookworm). I like that the exercises sound fun and short, and teach the essay types, which should allow time to still do written narrations.  HTH some:)  Gina

    January 12, 2012 at 7:58 pm
    simple home
    Member

    Gina,

    Do you happen to know how your suggestion would compare to The Institute for Excellence in Writing curriculum? I’m debating which writing program to use in the near future too and have been slowly researching.

    Thanks!

    January 12, 2012 at 8:12 pm
    momto2blessings
    Participant

    Simple home, I’m sorry I can’t really compare the two since I’ve never actually used them:) I’ve done a ton of research on writing programs…enough to give me a headache!  Jump In is only for Jr. Hi (or remedial h.s.), whereas IEW can be used long term.  If you do a search on the Well Trained Mind Forums, you’ll find oodles of opinions on IEW.  I have two friends who love it, many people do.  I decided it wasn’t right for us because I’ve heard many times how formulistic it is…that students tend to sound the same.  I also wasn’t attracted to the price and their website is confusing to me (it may have changed).  If you like the looks of IEW but want cheaper, I’ve heard that Meaningful Composition is very similar but workbook rather than video style. 

    I’m probably not much help…I’m in a writing quandry right now after ditching a stressful classical program and for now narrations and then Jump In feel like a breathe of fresh air to me:)  Hope you find what you’re looking for!  Blessings, Gina

    January 13, 2012 at 3:21 am
    CheeseAndSprinkles
    Member

    Thanks so much for all of the advice. I’m feeling much better now. I have heard a lot about WWA and need to look more into it. I’ll also look into Jump In. My mommy instinct is telling me to work with him more on oral narrations, copy work, dictation, and lots of reading good books first. Then maybe start a writing program in the fall.

    We are planning on doing SCM module 1 in the fall and my 6 year old will join in. I’m excited about that. I’ve already put together the Book of Centuries. 🙂 SCM has been such a good resource!

    January 13, 2012 at 11:52 am
    simple home
    Member

    Thanks Gina. I’m not crazy about IEW price either. The Jump In looks interesting and affordable.

    Best wishes to your new schooling CheeseandSprinkles. 🙂

    January 16, 2012 at 6:56 pm
    Heather
    Participant

    Hi. I have a sixth grade son as well. We have yet to find a writing program that fits. Perhaps this.is why CM focuses on narrations instead of a program. writing strands is our latest try and is not pleasing either of us at this time. It has great ideas however the concepts are not seeming to stick.

    I noticed that you decided not to do history or science. I would encourage you to do those subjects as they are the ones my son loves. I’d suggest fifty famous stories for history and either the burgess nature stories, or story of inventions for science. These provide real enjoyable ideas for the boys to narrate. Another option would be well written library books on a particular topic — could be based on a field tr ip opportunity, an interest or other.

    I try to have my ds do a variety of written work. Writing questions he has about a passage or chapter written, creating a labeled drawing, a character sketch, or a more typical tine line narration.

    Enjoy being home together!

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