Assuming I use Our Mother Tongue for grammar, what writing program would you suggest that covers as many different styles as possible? This will be his first reall writing (he has done some using Igniting Your Writing), and will be in 7th grade. I would like to cover the standard styles as well as poetry, if possible. I was looking at Jump In or Writing Strands, for the way they are taught/laid out. Not sure what all they cover yet, though.
We are using Jump In. It covers persuasive essays(the basics and cause and effect), expository essays….biography, book report, a book response, a newspaper article, a how-to, compare and contrast. Also covers description, narration(storytelling), and poetry. I like how it’s laid out pretty independently for the student. Parental support needed, of course, but not intensively:)
I’ve used IEW in the past, Write Shop Jr. (elementary levels), and have landed quite happily on Brave Writer which is where we plan to stay. (I was a curriculum reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse for several years so technically I tried out even more writing curricula but these 3 are the ones I liked and used for any real length of time.).
I plan to post a more complete review later, but I don’t recommend Beyond the Book Report. I’m 1/3 through it with the first assignment turned in today and I’m revamping completely before our next class.
I just picked up The Writer’s Jungle and this looks great too, but I’m not too far into the book. We’ve been doing some of the Bravewriter activities here as well: http://www.bravewriter.com/bwl
I tried Writing Strands with my oldest and she hated it. I don’t think she liked how much it broke down the writing. I’m thinking of giving it another try with my DS…he has a very different learning style.
Christie, the “Jump In!” you’re referring is the one by Sharon Watson, correct? Most recent publication date is 2006? It seems to be so highly thought of here on the forum I wil definitely be checking it out…just want to make sure I’m look at the write book/author/edition…
I had previously considered Meaningful Composition (MC), as I’d heard great things about how close it is to IEW materials/courses without the price tag. Courses go up to high school. My DS is only 10.5 years (5th grade) and actually writes very decent narrations already so I’m in no hurry to get onto a writing curriculum, just trying to think/plan for the future. MC has some REALLY good reviews, and I might still try it….but I’m also considering other options (hence my question on Jump In) because at first glance MC might be a little too structured for us.
Yes, that’s the one. We tried Beyond the Book Report because it meshed with Analytical Grammar, but we’ve not been impressed. Jump In was my original choice and I should have stuck with it. It looks to have just the right amount of structure and teaching for us.