History and Writing in One?

[julesmama3]

Hi folks,
I'm pretty new to the board but have been lurking around soaking in all the great info you ladies share. This is my 4th year homeschooling, my oldest is in 3rd. I've pretty much been using My Father's World up 'til now but may switch to something else in the fall. We've not done a formal writing program and I'm realizing that I really want a writing program that is incorporated in our history readings. The only problem is that I am not capable of explaining the whole writing process. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Julie

[Colleen in NS]

Hi folks,
I'm pretty new to the board but have been lurking around soaking in all the great info you ladies share. This is my 4th year homeschooling, my oldest is in 3rd. I've pretty much been using My Father's World up 'til now but may switch to something else in the fall. We've not done a formal writing program and I'm realizing that I really want a writing program that is incorporated in our history readings. The only problem is that I am not capable of explaining the whole writing process. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Julie

You could pick a writing program such as R&S, Writing Strands, or IEW. You could, along with that, using copywork/dictation and narration methods (I'd recommend SWB's Writing Without Fear CD for how to teach these - it really helped me to explain the writing process to my kids). You would incorporate narration into whatever history, literature, and science you are using. You can also incorporate your writing program's lessons into your history readings. If the writing lesson for the day wants you to write about Christopher Columbus, but you are studying Abe Lincoln in history, just substitute Abe for Christopher in the writing lesson.

[Hoggirl]

They have Ancients, Middle Ages, and US history theme-based lessons.
Their site is www.writing-edu.com
We will use the Middle Ages lessons next year along with our study of that time period.

[julesmama3]

Thanks, I'll check out these resources!

[siloam]

Hi folks,
I'm pretty new to the board but have been lurking around soaking in all the great info you ladies share. This is my 4th year homeschooling, my oldest is in 3rd. I've pretty much been using My Father's World up 'til now but may switch to something else in the fall. We've not done a formal writing program and I'm realizing that I really want a writing program that is incorporated in our history readings. The only problem is that I am not capable of explaining the whole writing process. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Julie

Julie,

Tapestry of Grace has weekly writing assignments that are connected with the history they are doing. Like MFW it also has the same providential feel. It isn't open and go like MFW because they give you a weekly schedule and you decide what parts to use and when during the week.

Blessings,

Heather

[Beth in Central TX]

To supplement our writing while working through SOTW Vol III & IV, I used Writing Trails in American History which is part of the Imitation in Writing series: http://www.logosschool.com/materials/shop/item.asp?itemid=35&catid=

[Heather in VA]

I'm finding that I need a history program that includes writing assignments AND a separate writing instruction program. A writing program, even one with history-based lessons, has not proven to be enough for my dd to really get practice developing paragraphs and essays. I am seeing the value in using a program (Writing Strands, IEW etc) and use that time to focus on the skills and then have a history program that includes writing assignments (SL, TOG, HO) that will give a way to have the student practice transfering those skills into real subject assignments that not only require the writing skills but the processing of the subject information.

Now some people just need the writing program because they are good at coming up with the history writing assignments themselves. I'm not - so I make quality writing assignments a key when I choose my history program.

[Beth in Central TX]

I feel the same way. I did IW Writing Trails in American History along with IW Aesop. For my youngest, I'll use the IW Writing Trails in American History with SOTW again, but we will do CW Aesop A this time around.

The OP just wanted a writing program tied to history, so I didn't elaborate on the main program I was using at the time.