Writing Tales: effective with a third grader?

[Sue G in PA]

I'm making my final choices for writing for next year. I'm wondering if WT would work for my ds8. He's a fair writer but I'm wondering if I shouldn't just wait until he's a bit older for WT? Any experiences with this with a younger student? I'll have WWE for my ds6 (then 7) so can use that and I also have K12's Writing In Action so I"m not lacking curriculum. I just really like the looks of WT. Also, who supplement WT with grammar? I would think you'd need to with an older child. Thanks.

[OhElizabeth]

If he can comfortably write his own narration, he's going to be fine in Writing Tales. I have my dd handwrite the first draft (week 1) but I type the final draft for her and let her make the edits and creative additions orally (week 2). That keeps it from being too burdensome for the age. You can do some grammar along with it if you want, just a light touch as you'll also be hitting it with WT. I haven't used it, but have you looked at FLL3? Many people seem to like GWG. We're doing Shurley along with WT2, and that's nice, mainly because we only spend 5-10 minutes daily on it. So that's what I'm saying, just keep it light and you'll be fine. Personally, I think any dc who has memorized the defs in FLL1/2 and has the maturity will do fine with the grammar in WT2, no matter what grammar they did the previous year, so don't stress yourself about it a lot. Do something light, do Mad Libs, or do nothing but what's in WT1. No matter what, you'll be fine. :)

[Sue G in PA]

I have FLL3 and R&S3...trying to decide which I'll use as the main text. R&S 3 has a few things that FLL3 doesn't have so we'll see. WT1 would be mainly for the writing, but I don't want to get into overkill since I'm thinking about WWE as well (since I'll already have it for ds6). I just really, really like the looks of WT! Ds9 will be using WT2 so perhaps I'll just get WT1 while I'm at it (since the prices will be going up $2 today!) and just have it on hand just in case. You just never know WHICH program will work and which will bomb, KWIM? Thanks for your input!

[Julie]

I am using WT 2 with a 4th and 5th grader, neither has had a bit of trouble with the assignments. I would not hesitate to use WT 1 with a 3rd grader, in fact I have a daughter who just turned 5 and I plan on her doing WT 1 in the 2nd or 3rd grade depending on where she is.

WT is a fantastic program, we are over half way through WT 2, and I have zero complaints about it. Amy Olsen is fantastic, if you have questions she will email you back.

Julie

[Sue G in PA]

do you find your dc writing skills have improved since using WT? I'm not concerned w/ grammar so much...I have that covered. It's writing. I like the looks of WWE and I'm wondering if I could use both just switching off and on?

[Kimber]

Funny, we do the opposite. My writes part of his first draft and dictates the rest to me. The second draft he uses the first as semi-model and writes it himself, adding in his creative touches. He loves, loves, loves this.

[WABeth]

I just really, really like the looks of WT! Ds9 will be using WT2 so perhaps I'll just get WT1 while I'm at it (since the prices will be going up $2 today!) and just have it on hand just in case.

Wow, thanks for the heads up about WT prices going up. I am planning to use WT2 next year but was waiting to make all my purchases at the beginning of summer. Seeing your post, I went and placed my order today!