Writing Curriculum: Choices, choices, choices...

[Sue G in PA]

Okay, why in the world I get all tripped up about writing curriculums, I don't know! I can write and love to write. My dh can write and loves to write. TEACHING our dc to write is an entirely different story! :eek: I'm looking for three of my dc: 3rd grade, 5th grade and 7th grade. My 7th grader needs help, although she's coming along using IEW's Anc. Hist. Based Writing Lessons. Trouble is, w/out knowing the program myself...I really can't help her. I'm considering purchasing the TWSS. Then there are my 3rd and 5th graders. The 5th grader loves to write creatively. He's written several "books" on his own. BUT, when it comes to school-writing (narrations, reports, paragraphs, sentences, words, LOL!) he just shuts down. The 3rd grader looks "good". He CAN write a narration on his own, but preferes to dictate to me and then copy down what I wrote.

My considerations for next year: Susan's WWE for my 3rd grader and possibly 5th grader (mainly the narration exercises, copywork and dictation). Continue Anc. Hist. Writing and move to Medieval Writing Lessons for my 7th grader (and purchasing the TWSS to familiarize myself w/ the program as a whole). Possibly adding Jump In! from Apologia 2 days/each week just to familiarize her w/ more styles of writing and topics other than History, KWIM? Then there is Writing Tales which I've been looking at. It looks REALLY good (grammar included which is a plus!). Any reviews of this? I know it only goes up to level 2 (4th/5th gr). Don't shoot me, and be honest, would you use Susan's WWE OR Writing Tales for the 5th grader (He is working through Wordsmith Apprentice right now and it's going...SLOW)? Just musing over my choices :)

Okay, enough questions for this early in the morning! Thanks for your suggestions/reviews!

[mrscopterdoc]

The only one we've used is Jump In! My daughter hates to write and she loves this. She will actually do this without complaining, which says a lot for a teenager.:D
HTH

[Sue G in PA]

Have you seen an improvement using Jump In? Liking the program is important to me so my dd will WANT to do it. That's a plus. She does IEW's Anc. Hist. w/out much complaint, but I can't see that she really "likes" it. Her writing is improving, slowly but surely. I'd just like to add another component next year...something that isn't History based.

[mrscopterdoc]

I think her writing has improved. Getting her to like writing was the first hurdle. I then added "Writing winning reports and essays" by Paul Janeczko. It has 13 different types of reports/essays, with explanations and samples. I would have her write one a month. She didn't like that but oh well. Her writing sky rocketed after that. Now she can whip out a 3 page report like it is nothing. But Jump In is fun writing also and that is important too.

[Linda...inOwasso]

I would stick with IEW. I don't think there's another writing program even close to it in quality.

[Hoggirl]

Especially since you have had success with the history-based writing lessons. We just love it. I think it will work well for your ds also who "shuts down" on report writing. I think it is made so straight-forward by Andrew Pudewa.

[Sue G in PA]

before I plop down all that money! I am going to a convention in North. VA in July where he will be speaking, so I guess I could purchase it then if I like what I see. I just hate waiting, KWIM? I like to have all my ducks in a row LONG before mid-summer :).

[Basketmaker Amy]

If you see him in person, you will be sold on the program! I saw him last year at Florida's FPEA convention and bought the program. I have been extremely pleased! This Thursday my older sons and I are attending the High School SAT Intensive course taught by Andrew Pudewa.

[BizyPenguin]

I thought it would be, but it wasn't. The Venn Diagrams, charts, and hand-holding that Bob Jones writing provides was just what he needed. We're having great success with it. And I know what you mean about teaching writing. It freaks me out too...even though I love to write! LOL! I reviewed BJ writing on my blog if you're interested. All the best!