Writing bleh!

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bump. Heather, please share.

I don’t know if the following resources would truly be CM resources, but the writing programs that I like (besides IEW, which the boys didn’t like) are:

Michael Clay Thompson’s Language Arts – this is what we are using now. We have the complete first level set and are using it to teach Grammar and Sentence writing, as well as expose the boys to poetry and Greek/Latin roots. Since my boys are 12 years old and starting 7th grade, I figure using a “curriculum” for Grammar was “OK” by CM’s standards, and including the writing component is helping me feel better that they are getting *some* instruction in writing without it being all about “the writing process”, which gets way too much emphasis in most programs, IMHO.

Jump In Writing by Apologia – intended for the 7th- or 8th-grader, I like that this program keeps things light and really talks TO the student at a way that I think works for many more students than other writing programs. I had bought this before deciding to try MCT’s LA materials, so for now it is really just sitting on my bookshelf. But I have it there to use either as a backup plan, or to use after we go through MCT’s Sentence and Paragraph books. Maybe use this in concert with MCT’s Essay Voyage.

HTH!

Jumping In is the single best resource I’ve ever seen for teaching the sorts of writing students will need to be doing.  It doesn’t teach “formulaic” writing like some programs–everyone using Jumping In isn’t going to sound exactly alike.  But it is good, solid instruction in bite-sized pieces.  Then I’d follow up later with a program for research papers, like the one the AG people have.  I teach Jumping In in the eighth grade to prepare for high school level essays. 

Before using Jumping In, when written narrations have become somewhat comfortable, then just begin teaching one simple rule per week.  Perhaps one week it’ll need to be not using sentence fragments.  Then another you’ll teach how to divide into paragraphs.  Then another week, teach that you can’t begin every sentence with “and”.  Then work on eradicating “I think” or whatever your student needs. You don’t need to be an expert at this.  Just pick one written narration a week and fix one problem you notice.  Keep it simple and positive.  Easy as pie!

Michelle,

Thank you for sharing. It was exactly what I needed to hear. DD is 9 and just barely beginning written narrations; in fact, she dictates & I type right now. We’ve read the Ruth Heller books and are working our way through JAG right now. She’s getting it just fine, though she says diagramming is hard! 

I find myself occasionally starting to panic that I’m not doing enough to teach her to write. However, each time I think about a program like IEW, Meaningful Composition, etc. I feel uneasy. I don’t think I could tackle something that heavy right now or perhaps ever.

Thanks for the encouragement to stop fretting over it!

Blessings,

Christie

I have purchased Understanding Writing this year.  I like it for some of the things that I think need some instruction – like substituting boring verbs with more exciting verbs, using specific wording, etc.  I don’t exactly plan to do it word for word but pick and choose and hopefully try the skills with written narrations and Story Starters.   

I have always had this dilemma – a writing program? or just written narrations?  I decided I’m most comfortable with a little of both.  I wish I could just do written narrations – lots easier, but I do think there are children that need things pointed out and told “how”.