Writing-what is the best way to teach it?

[awanama]

I posted this same question on homeschoolreviews.com but I am wanting to get some more opinions.

I'm looking at writing programs for next year and trying to figure out what direction to go. Which type of program is better to use:

Writing Tales or others that are similar-you learn to write by using someone else's writing and then imitate it.

or

BJU and other similar programs-they teach you how to organize your thoughts on paper and then how to write the different forms of writing like Personal Narrative, writing a friendly letter, compare-contrast essay, and book reports.

If it made a difference, this is for a fourth grader with no previous formal writing. She will also enter the public school system at some point, probably junior high.

Thanks,
Erica

[ELaurie]

SWB's new book, Writing With Ease (http://www.peacehillpress.com/).

[Shannon831]

I would suggest that you listen to SWB's cd on teaching writing. You can purchase it for something like $7 at PHP. It's really important to have a "big picture" understanding of how to teach writing, in order to make the year to year decisions. I think her seminar was the single most important one I've attended since beginning to homeschool. That said, my short answer for you is Writing with Ease, Writing Tales, or something similar. hth,

[Bee]

I love the grammar portions of the texts but dislike the writing.There are very few children capable of creative writing and that's what many of the assignments are.Why do schools insist on teaching it at such a young age?Dd managed ok with writing a book report and the compare-contrast essay but every other writing assignment was a failure.She is getting better at creative writing by copying the style of her favorite fiction writers.I have her write a book report or a compare-contrast essay once in a while.She does some of the writing assignments from LL (she's in 6th grade).So,like a number of other people,I plan on getting Writing With Ease when it comes out to use with my younger child and to glean a few ideas for use with my older one.