Anyone use Classical Writing and Writing Strands together?

[Balancing]

Has anyone used Classical Writing and Writing Strands at the same time with one child? Both of these look wonderful.

Do you think this would be too much? Could it possibly work for some children?

If doing both together is not recommended, would alternating one each year work?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Jan

dd - 9yo

[Lucy in Australia]

I think both would be way too much. They are quite different in style, but I think both produce great results if done properly. That was my problem with Classical Writing: I knew it would be too much of a strain both on myself and my kids to keep that kind of standard up for the whole course. I couldn't even imagine trying to do both. I decided to stick with Writing Strands. It's working well :)

[Friederike in Persia]

:iagree: to the fact that Classical Writing is a lot of work! We're doing a few other bits here and there, but that means we're not quite "up to the standard" where Classical Writing really seems to want you to be. I couldn't imagine doing another whole program with it.:tongue_smilie:

[Peela]

I think you could possibly alternate each year, but Classical Writing is such a big commitment, you sort of have to be pretty convinced in order to use it. But you could always use Aesop, then move to something else. I used Aesop and Homer and then moved to other things because it just got too much- but I am glad we did what we did.
Writing Strands was a flop- it looked good, but just didn't resonate with the kids at all.
If you are new to homeschooling- it's worth trying something for a while- sometimes things that look good work, and sometimes they dont!

[Shari]

The programs are so totally different, it is hard to imagine doing them together. CW was just too much for our family. Besides, I hate having my dc imitate someone else's writing.

We are loving Writing Strands here. It was just the right mix of freedom vs instruction for our needs. And, on a practical note, it was cheap! Only $13.60 brand new at Amazon. When we started, I figured I could use WS until I saved up for one of the pricier alternatives. Now I don't plan on changing a thing.

[Balancing]

I think both would be way too much. They are quite different in style, but I think both produce great results if done properly. That was my problem with Classical Writing: I knew it would be too much of a strain both on myself and my kids to keep that kind of standard up for the whole course. I couldn't even imagine trying to do both. I decided to stick with Writing Strands. It's working well :)

Thanks Lucy. I guess I will try each one to discover which one fits the best.

[Balancing]

:iagree: to the fact that Classical Writing is a lot of work! We're doing a few other bits here and there, but that means we're not quite "up to the standard" where Classical Writing really seems to want you to be. I couldn't imagine doing another whole program with it.:tongue_smilie:

Thanks Friederike. Good to know the amount of work required for Classical Writing.

[Balancing]

I think you could possibly alternate each year, but Classical Writing is such a big commitment, you sort of have to be pretty convinced in order to use it. But you could always use Aesop, then move to something else. I used Aesop and Homer and then moved to other things because it just got too much- but I am glad we did what we did.
Writing Strands was a flop- it looked good, but just didn't resonate with the kids at all.
If you are new to homeschooling- it's worth trying something for a while- sometimes things that look good work, and sometimes they dont!

Thank you Peela. Ok, so alternating may work. May I ask what writing program you have moved on to?

[Balancing]

The programs are so totally different, it is hard to imagine doing them together. CW was just too much for our family. Besides, I hate having my dc imitate someone else's writing.

We are loving Writing Strands here. It was just the right mix of freedom vs instruction for our needs. And, on a practical note, it was cheap! Only $13.60 brand new at Amazon. When we started, I figured I could use WS until I saved up for one of the pricier alternatives. Now I don't plan on changing a thing.

Thank you Shari. It is good to hear that you like Writing Strands, it sounds like it is less intense and less costly. I guess I will just have to try them both, as you and others have done, to determine with one is the better fit.

[LauraGB]

Well...
We did WS last year and my dc disliked it, however I liked it a lot.

This year we started CW Homer - dc love it, however it does require me to really think about and plan with it, and it is not *my* fav. So what's a mom to do??

Fast fwd to right now. We worked several lessons into Homer and I became frustrated (I just did not see where the progress was), so we took a "break" from CW and started working in WS4. When I think they are getting burned out w/that (which will be shortly) we will go back to CW. And, since both my dc love to write (and love to write the creative stuff) we will be doing some descriptive writing from VIE, which is what we began for this week since it snowed last night and they wanted to write about the Winter Wonderland that is our back yard.

While it certainly isn't exactly necessary, I have found that I like the variety of switching between the two. My dc like to make thier own stories up and, like I said, spend A LOT of time writing thier own stories. So far, CW doesn't give them the free reign to do so, but directs them in the art of writing in a different, more unique way.

So, for two completely different approaches and views on writing, this is working well for us. For kids who don't love to write, it would most likely be overkill.

As for CW, I am getting excited to get back to it for a while again. I just needed the break, I think. Soon I will be pouring over the CW Poetry books and tossing that in for a while, too.

Don't know if this is helpful or not...

[WTMCassandra]

I can't imagine doing them both. WS was a bust here, but we all like CW. I tried to use WS three different times and it drove me crazy. CW is methodical and builds the skills laid out in WTM (and then some!), as well as incorporating grammar. We'll be sticking with CW for the forseeable future.

[siloam]

I think you could do one CW model and then a section (assuming it has sections) of WS. Not sure why you would want to do both, though I have used TOG writing to strengthen areas where my oldest is weak. For instance she had lots of problems with paragraph formations. Now that was partly my fault for not having her do outlines for Aesop A. A good outline shows paragraphs. But for the last 6 months I have had her working on Aesop B and writing a paragraph using the TOG topics. (Topic sentence, supporting sentences, conclusion.) Now that she has paragraphs down we aren't doing TOG writing.

Heather

[Peela]

Thank you Peela. Ok, so alternating may work. May I ask what writing program you have moved on to?

I use various things and make up my own as well. I have used Bravewriter- which then gave me confidence to design my own writing program. I use Queen's Language Lessons for the writing component for my highschooler. I own many writing programs and also use "just narration" as per CM techniques, focusing on different things at a time. My son will use Imitations in Writing Medieval Legends soon- if you like the imitative technique, which works very well for my reluctant writer, Imitations in Writing programs are much less committment than CW.

[Balancing]

Well...
We did WS last year and my dc disliked it, however I liked it a lot.

This year we started CW Homer - dc love it, however it does require me to really think about and plan with it, and it is not *my* fav. So what's a mom to do??

Fast fwd to right now. We worked several lessons into Homer and I became frustrated (I just did not see where the progress was), so we took a "break" from CW and started working in WS4. When I think they are getting burned out w/that (which will be shortly) we will go back to CW. And, since both my dc love to write (and love to write the creative stuff) we will be doing some descriptive writing from VIE, which is what we began for this week since it snowed last night and they wanted to write about the Winter Wonderland that is our back yard.

While it certainly isn't exactly necessary, I have found that I like the variety of switching between the two. My dc like to make thier own stories up and, like I said, spend A LOT of time writing thier own stories. So far, CW doesn't give them the free reign to do so, but directs them in the art of writing in a different, more unique way.

So, for two completely different approaches and views on writing, this is working well for us. For kids who don't love to write, it would most likely be overkill.

As for CW, I am getting excited to get back to it for a while again. I just needed the break, I think. Soon I will be pouring over the CW Poetry books and tossing that in for a while, too.

Don't know if this is helpful or not...

This was very helpful Laura. Thanks for sharing how you have incorporated both programs into your children's schooling. I like the idea of switching between the two.

I am not a writer... at all, and I feel I need all the help from writing programs that I can get! WS is appealing, as it looks like the student can work independently. CW is appealing as it looks like it will teach ME, how to teach writing. I guess I feel I need both.

You have described my daughter. She enjoys writing creatively and writes stories without any prompting from me. But I know she needs more than creative writing.

[Balancing]

I can't imagine doing them both. WS was a bust here, but we all like CW. I tried to use WS three different times and it drove me crazy. CW is methodical and builds the skills laid out in WTM (and then some!), as well as incorporating grammar. We'll be sticking with CW for the forseeable future.

Thank you. It's good to hear that you are happy with CW. It's interesting how most folks have a strong preference for one over the other.

[Balancing]

I think you could do one CW model and then a section (assuming it has sections) of WS. Not sure why you would want to do both, though I have used TOG writing to strengthen areas where my oldest is weak. For instance she had lots of problems with paragraph formations. Now that was partly my fault for not having her do outlines for Aesop A. A good outline shows paragraphs. But for the last 6 months I have had her working on Aesop B and writing a paragraph using the TOG topics. (Topic sentence, supporting sentences, conclusion.) Now that she has paragraphs down we aren't doing TOG writing.

Heather



Thanks Heather. As for wanting to use both, I guess it is just that both appeal to me and I am not confident in my ability to teach writing, so I want to get all the help I can!

My daughter seems to enjoy writing and I want to be sure that she gets the experience in writing that she needs. You mentioned a problem with paragraph formations... I am not even sure I would recognize there was a problem... lol.

[Balancing]

I use various things and make up my own as well. I have used Bravewriter- which then gave me confidence to design my own writing program. I use Queen's Language Lessons for the writing component for my highschooler. I own many writing programs and also use "just narration" as per CM techniques, focusing on different things at a time. My son will use Imitations in Writing Medieval Legends soon- if you like the imitative technique, which works very well for my reluctant writer, Imitations in Writing programs are much less committment than CW.

I learned a lot from Bravewriter and have even taken their class on copywork, but I still felt like I needed more help. I have not looked at Queen's Language Lessons and Imitations in writing, I will check those out.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I would love to one day have enough confidence to design my own writing program!

[siloam]

Thanks Heather. As for wanting to use both, I guess it is just that both appeal to me and I am not confident in my ability to teach writing, so I want to get all the help I can!

My daughter seems to enjoy writing and I want to be sure that she gets the experience in writing that she needs. You mentioned a problem with paragraph formations... I am not even sure I would recognize there was a problem... lol.

I think Laura's strategy is great. She is making progress with each without getting overly frustrated with either.

It was actually really easy to see their was a problem. She handed in her work and there was one single page long paragraph. :001_huh: Now with both our paragraph work and with outlining the problem is totally solved.

I say go for it!

Heather

[LauraGB]

Since it sounds like you are on the hunt for a good program for a writing lover, I might suggest Voyages In English as well. Both my dc loved it because there was a short writing assignment every day that let them work more creatively. I know SWB doesn't give this program the big thumbs up (and I SO respect her opinion!!), but she also isn't into pushing a kid to do creative writing. If you have a child that likes to do this, I think this program is great. Both dc and I like it very much, but we wanted to check out other avenues, since they came so highly recommended.

CW is fantastic, but a lot of work for the teacher. The value in narrating/copying/dissecting great works is immeasurable. I do really like it...I just need to wrap my own head around it.

WS is valuable, especially for the reluctant writer. If the child is a natural writer, it gets a bit tedious for him/her; each step is explained thoroughly and computes a day's worth of work.

VIE comes also w/a grammar program; the same program we like best and purchased seperately this year to save costs.

HTH

[Balancing]

I think Laura's strategy is great. She is making progress with each without getting overly frustrated with either.

It was actually really easy to see their was a problem. She handed in her work and there was one single page long paragraph. :001_huh: Now with both our paragraph work and with outlining the problem is totally solved.

I say go for it!

Heather



Well Heather, now that you mention it.... my daughter does not use paragraphs! If she writes a short, one page story, she does not use paragraphs. She has written a longer story with 'chapters', but her chapters were actually paragraphs. I think she is up to 15 chapters..... LOL!

Ok, mental note.... work on paragraph formations. See, I told you I need all the help I can get!

[Balancing]

Since it sounds like you are on the hunt for a good program for a writing lover, I might suggest Voyages In English as well. Both my dc loved it because there was a short writing assignment every day that let them work more creatively. I know SWB doesn't give this program the big thumbs up (and I SO respect her opinion!!), but she also isn't into pushing a kid to do creative writing. If you have a child that likes to do this, I think this program is great. Both dc and I like it very much, but we wanted to check out other avenues, since they came so highly recommended.

CW is fantastic, but a lot of work for the teacher. The value in narrating/copying/dissecting great works is immeasurable. I do really like it...I just need to wrap my own head around it.

WS is valuable, especially for the reluctant writer. If the child is a natural writer, it gets a bit tedious for him/her; each step is explained thoroughly and computes a day's worth of work.

VIE comes also w/a grammar program; the same program we like best and purchased seperately this year to save costs.

HTH

Thanks Laura. I went off to check out Voyages in English. It looks interesting.

I found a review (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/O00VIE.html) by SWB and one thing she said was:


If you use VIE, you could hold off on introducing another writing program (such as Institute for Excellence in Writing or Writing Strands) until fifth grade. At that point, however, you will need to supplement the writing instruction in VIE with a program that gives extra practice in structuring written arguments.

So it sounds like maybe VIE and Writing Strands might be a good combo.

Hmmmm.... ok... off to ponder some more.

Thanks for your help!