Writing Curriculums...would you mind posting your fav?

[Gamom3]

When I google, I only come up with a few.
Would you mind posting what you use?


Thanks!!

[Testimony]

Writing Tales!

Love ya' Amy!!

from,
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony

[Pensguys]

Classical Writing and Writing Tales

[Sarah CB]

Classical Writing

[Audrey]

Writing Strands. I also like the look of IEW, but we're not at that point yet. One I really didn't like was Write Shop.

[Beth in Central TX]

Definitely Classical Writing--time consuming, but well worth the effort.

[training5]

Writing Skills Series by EPS. Similar to Wordsmith Apprentice. Covers grammar for writing as well.

[Angel]

for older elementary/middle school we have really been enjoying Jump In Writing by Apologia.

Angel

[Patricia in WA]

Another Classical Writing fan!

[Rich with Kids]

I just couldn't teach Classical Writing. I just ordered Apologia's Jump In and Analytical Grammar/Junior Analytical Grammar. Maybe we can revisit CW later. I LOVE the curriculum, but with four other younger dc, I just couldn't do it justice. :o

[AngieW in Texas]

Institute for Excellence in Writing

[TexasRachel]

We've just started Writing Tales and I love it. We did Writing Strands too. I like the program, but thought we needed a little more intense work because writing is a weakness of mine. That's not saying WT is intense; it just requires more work out of DD. It has grammar in it which I like because it's another place to bring it all together.

[Heather in VA]

Classical Writing - It took me forever to finally understand how to teach it but it was worth it. I also REALLY like Writing Tales for the earlier progymnamata (pre-Homer). It was the main reason I finally got how to teach CW.

[happykids]

Best homeschool money I have spent in 14 years of homeschooling!

~Sabrina

[April in WA]

Can you tell me what you did not like about WriteShop. I've been using IEW. From what I see WriteShop is somewhat similar, yet you said you were interested in IEW. Just curious since I'm thinking of supplementing IEW for a little variety for one of my sons.

Blessings,
April in WA

[LizzyBee]

Classical Writing and Wordsmith series

[Carolyn in Ohio]

IEW - the Student Writing Intensives and the History based lessons. I like Classical Writing too, but it takes so much time. The best curriculum is the one that actually gets used!

Carolyn

[Audrey]

Since you asked, I'll be brutally honest. No offense to fans of the program, but IMO the writing style that is taught in WriteShop is flowery and woefully outmoded. That's my biggest contention. I found many of the examples used in the program ridiculously overwrought. I just couldn't use that. It's not what I want to teach my child. IEW's approach is somewhat similar, but from what I've seen (and I've only just seen samples) their examples look much better. Before I make a decision on IEW, I'll have to see it up-close-and-personal. I'm eagerly awaiting the spring curriculum fairs for the opportunity to do just that! :)

[theodwyn]

Another vote for IEW.
Wendy

[Beth in TN]

IEW has dramatically changed writing in our homeschool. My dd is doing so much better. I highly recommend TWSS and the SWI & SICCs.

[angela in ohio]

I have tried Classical Writing, Write Source (with TOG), Wordsmith Apprentice, and Writing Strands.

I like IEW and Classical Composition.

[cajun.classical]

Classical Writing, hands down!

[Melissa B]

Michael Clay Thompson Writing Program

Classical Composition


And I'm still interested in seeing the upper levels of Classical Writing when they are finished.

[Julie in GA]

Classical Writing, hands down! (What exactly does "hands down" mean, anyway? :confused: )

[Lori in MS]

We use IEW now, but I am interested in SWB's writing curriculum that will be released this spring and summer. I can't wait until she writes the volume for logic stage.

[Susan in SoCal]

the further we get in it, the more I see the benefits of it.

[Jenny in Atl]

So far Classical Writing, but Mr Thompson's series is calling my name and I may just take a look. :D

[Kathie in VA]

Well, I really like Classical Writing.
However I also really like FLL for my younger ones. I'm debating on FLL-3 or CW for my up and coming 3rd grader (perhaps I'll do both). Then again SWB's new writing program looks very interesting. But my little guy can already compose an entire fable with difficulty as long as I'm typing it... so we'll see.

[Mogster]

Without a doubt, it is IEW

http://www.writing-edu.com/

We tried both Classical Writing and Writing Strands for a bit and they were not engaging or thorough enough for my taste. IEW was in a completely different league. I put of buying it because of the price. After borrowing one of the DVDs from a friend, I knew it would be worth the money.

[Kathy in MD]

Actually you could substitute any other program for teaching how to write a paragraph. It's Sentence c
Composing that's made a difference in the quality of the paragraphs and writing.

[Herding Cats in NC]

We are loving Writing Tales here. Ds is a very capable writer, but he doesn't enjoy it. But even he likes WT and doesn't complain at all about it!

[Melissa in CA]

IEW, I believe, is the most user friendly. It gets a big 'thumbs up' vote for my over-all favorite. I am also using Writing Tales II with my 10 yo though and we are loving it.

~Melissa

[Peek a Boo]

I agree that some of the samples in WS get way too flowery. Fortunately that has NOT been a problem w/ my 13yos, lol. He is very much a "get to the point" kid so the extra attention to description is a good workout for him.

I think the strength of WriteShop is in its checklists and TM for grading and editing. The incremental lessons, specific skill builders, and progression are perfect for us.


April and GAmom-- y'all can go to writeshop.com and see samples for how it's set up in both the student book and teacher book.

I looked at IEW a few years ago trying to find something for my hates-writing kid. He was in a co-op where they used IEW. Neither of us cared for the style at all. Definitely a preference thing :-)

[Narrow Gate Academy]

It does take some time to understand, but is well worth the effort. We're just starting, but this year has been great.

[mcconnellboys]

I've used and like Writing Strands; Writer's Express, by Write Source; and McGraw Hill's Spectrum series.

Regena

[dangermom]

Classical Writing!

[unsinkable]

Actually you could substitute any other program for teaching how to write a paragraph. It's Sentence c
Composing that's made a difference in the quality of the paragraphs and writing.

Can you link to Sentence Composing?

Thanks,
unsinkable

[unsinkable]

Put That in Writing

http://www.barrettsbookshelf.com/

unsinkable

[Cathy in TX]

I like Classical Composition and IEW, too. I use CC for my younger two, who will be taking an IEW class at co-op next year. My oldest is in year 2 of IEW in co-op.

Cathy

[Frontier Mom]

I am using Aesop with one and "For Older Children-Aesop and Homer" with oldest two. I'm seeing some good things and I am getting grammar done along the way.

I also have IEW but my children just like CW better. Not exactly sure why, but I'm going with it!!

However, we just started CW in January and I plan on doing it on a calendar year basis so I can continue to work on it through the summer.

[countrykiddos]

it's a good fit for us!

[BizyPenguin]

And I gave a detailed review of it at my blog today.