Suggestions for a good secular writing program?

[KarenNC]

I am looking for a good solid secular writing program, hopefully one that will carry us through for several years.

This year we are doing Growing with Grammar 3, Wordly Wise 3000 level 3, have finished the last of the 8 Explode the Code books and working on Spelling Power (she is working in the mid-4th grade range), and have gone through the HWOT beginning cursive book. She reads very well and voraciously. Occasionally she will write a short story on her own, but we haven't done any really formal writing yet (reports, paragraphs, etc), just sentences in response to questions in other subjects.

So far for next year, we are planning GWG 4, switching to Vocabulary Vine to do Latin and Greek roots for vocabulary and continuing Spelling Power, as well as looking at adding in a more formal start to literature study.

The pieces to be able to write are all in place, so I want to find something that will be interesting and help guide her to more writing. We are fine with a textbook/workbook approach, as it helps keep us on track.

Any suggestions?

[Jenny in Atl]

I think either Writing Tales or Classical Writing would be a good match. CW goes all the way through high school and is very complete.

[Mama Lynx]

The Christian content is really minimal. Almost nonexistent. There are some Bible stories used as models, but you can easily substitute them out. In Homer A there is a lesson on, I think, poetic truth that explicitly makes a particular form of Christian thought = truth; but so far, it's just that lesson, and it's easily edited/discussed.

[KarenNC]

I looked at Writing Tales, but we really don't need something else with grammar as we are very happy with our grammar program.

Classical Writing looks like it might be a possibility, though the poetry book online looks to be about half Christian-specific content, so I am a bit concerned that the percentage of such content will be higher in the upper levels. What I can see from the online samples looks like they are not as heavy in Aesop and Homer on Christian-specific content as many others (though I wouldn't go so far as to say that it looks like it is non-existent, at least from my perspective:)).

I realize that I can choose my own models and substitute, but I am really hoping that I can find one where that won't be an issue. For me, the point of picking a curriculum for this sort of thing is that I *don't* have to do that. I am also aware that I am likely swimming upstream as this type of instruction is primarily in favor among Catholic schools and the like.;)

[Pegasus]

Take a look at EPS Writing Skills. It is a secular workbooks that you just pick up and go. They do have a little grammar worked in but you could easily skip those pages if you are covering grammar with something else. There is 3 levels of workbooks and one teacher book that covers all 3 levels.

Pegasus

[Melissa B]

I really like the Michael C. Thompson writing program. It is secular.

The first three levels are out: 4th - 6th grade.
The last three levels are supposed to be out within the next school year.

The examples on the website aren't very good, as they do not include any of the actual writing assignments, so if you have any questions just let me know.

http://www.rfwp.com/series78.htm

[Night Elf]

I really like the Michael C. Thompson writing program. It is secular.

Melissa,

Do you have experience with all the MCT materials, i.e. grammar, writing, poetry and vocabulary? They all look really good and while the student books are priced reasonably, the teacher's guides are more expensive. Do you know if the teacher's manuals are more than just an answer key?

[Melissa B]

Melissa,

Do you have experience with all the MCT materials, i.e. grammar, writing, poetry and vocabulary? They all look really good and while the student books are priced reasonably, the teacher's guides are more expensive. Do you know if the teacher's manuals are more than just an answer key?



I do use all four parts (plus the practice books.) For the first three levels of every section (grammar, vocabulary, writing and poetry) you ONLY need the teacher's manuals. But, you must have them - all of the assignments and answers along with many, many teacher notes are in the teacher's manuals. There is also a full copy of the student text in the teacher's manual. For the last three levels you need both books for the grammar and vocabulary (Magic Lens and Word Within the Word) but I haven't yet seen the upper levels of poetry and writing.

[nmoira]

For the elementary series of the MCT books, ONLY the TM is needed. It's convenient to have the student's Practice books, but even those aren't necessary.

[OhElizabeth]

Have you read WTM yet? SWB clearly lays out a progression of writing skills. In 2nd you're focusing on getting them to be able to write their own narration. In 3rd you... It spells it all out. Once you've laid some of those foundations using what WTM describes (narration, dictation, copywork), THEN you start a writing program like Writing Tales or Classical Writing or what have you. I wouldn't start a dc in WT/CW until s/he can comfortably write his/her own narration.

For those of us who want it spelled out even more, SWB has a brand new book "Writing with Ease." Really though, it's all right there in WTM. And after you do the 2nd and 3rd gr writing skills, I like Writing Tales leading into CW. Ok, just realized you said secular. Both CW and WT are going to have an occasional Bible story as models. If you don't mind it in SOTW, you probably won't in WT/CW either. Only one I can think of so far in WT2 is the story of Moses. (Some people would accept that as historical or general knowledge, others would totally skip.)

[Cadam]

Writing Stands is a good basic program. Very simple to use. Or there is Susan's new book which covers to 4th grade.

[Colleen in SEVA]

Sorry, nothing to add... but wanted to mark my place so I can return to this discussion easily. I have been looking for something similar (solid, secular writing program that's laid out). Like you, we have used ETC, WW, HWT, (along with copywork) but will use MCT in 2008. My DS won't be ready for formal writing until next year at the earliest, but it has been on my mind lately. I can't wait to see SWB's new program at convention!

[AngieW in Texas]

IEW is secular.

TWSS is the set of videos that teaches you how to teach writing using IEW methodology.

SWI is the set of videos that teaches your student hwo to write using IEW methodology. It covers the first 4 units and unit 6.

SWICC is the followup set of videos that teaches your student the rest of the units.

I started off with just TWSS and did that for a full year. Then I got SWI level B (for 6th-8th graders) and worked through it with my 6th and 8th graders for about 4 months. I spent the rest of that schoolyear just following the methodology.

This year, my oldest is using US History-based Writing Lessons (based on IEW methodology). It teaches all the units. There was only one assignment in volume 1 that involved religion and that was actually asking the student to write about how the 1st ammendment affected the student's ability to follow whatever religion the student followed. My dd wrote about how she had the freedom not to follow a religion laid down by the government.

Not all of the theme-based writing lessons are secular. You have to check each one. Obviously the Bible-based Writing Lessons are going to be religious, but The Elegant Essay also seems to have pretty significant religious content based on the sample online.

If you're curious about any of the IEW programs, you can post to IEWfamilies on yahoogroups and ask. Somebody will be able to answer your question.

http://www.writing-edu.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IEWfamilies/

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