Does CW cover writing?

[mchel210]

Does classical writing cover your writing for middle school? Well...If I use a literature program...and then add cw for older beginners...with harveys grammar...do I have to add a writing program such as jump in or IEW?

It does not seem like I do, but I cant really tell.

Thanks,
Michelle

[Kathie in VA]

CW is primarily a writing program... that's its main focus. It also covers some grammar, spelling, vocab and literature.

hth

[Beth in Central TX]

Yes, CW is a writing program. Here's a link to the CW website for a description of their books: http://home.att.net/~MikeJaqua/TheBooks.html and a schedule: http://home.att.net/~mikejaqua/whichbookstobuy.html

You start the CW writing program in 3rd grade. If you have an older student (5th grade or above), then you would begin with the Student Workbook for Older Beginners: http://www.lulu.com/content/389498

[St. Theophan Academy]

Focus is writing, using the progymnasmata as it's foundation, similar to IEW I think. And it includes a good amount of grammar.

[pixelroper]

go here for samples (http://stores.lulu.com/classicalwriting)

CW is writing, you can also choose to follow along with grammar & spelling which is included

[Beth in Central TX]

I don't think IEW TWSS is similar to CW because it does not follow the progymnasmata. However, they do have a new product called Classical Rhetoric through Structure and Style: Writing Lessons Based on the Progymnasmata, but it doesn't look like a complete progymnasmata program. I haven't seen it though, so I could be mistaken. (http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/index.php?q=product/classical-rhetoric-through-structure-and-style%3A-writing-lessons-based-progymnasmata)

Here's a website for more information on the progymnasmata: http://rhetoric.byu.edu/

[mchel210]

Yes...I had been trying to compare what I would need to use with each program. I think I would start with CW with Older Beginners. I just wasnt sure if it covered all subjects for writing, spelling and grammar. I am glad to see that it does.

Are the upper programs very difficult to follow?

[Beth in Central TX]

Hmmm...are they difficult to follow? I think it does take some adjustment to get use to how the CW program is laid out. Part of my problem is that I'm not as familiar with the progymnasmata approach, so sometimes I'm lost. When that happens, I pull out the core book, and we work through the exercise as best we can. By the next model, I'm able to put all of the pieces together and understand the skill level we are working through. I read the core book each summer before we start the next level. Now that we are half-way through Homer A, I'm reading the core book again, and I'm getting a much clearer picture of the program.

By the time my youngest starts the CW series, I should be well acquainted with the program, so he will benefit from my current blunderings. I do become more confident with CW as I work through the levels (Aesop and now Homer), and I continue to see vast improvement in my sons' writing, so it's well worth the effort in my opinion.