Getting started with WWE

[gamommy]

My now 1st grader is using MCP Plaid Phonics, FLL1/2 (will be through about lesson 120 at the end of this year), AVKO Sequential Spelling (slowed down pace), and BJU pre-cursive handwriting. She reads at about a mid-second grade level.

My olders use WS and I wanted to get started with something for her next year in second. I was thinking of using WWE for a year or two and then perhaps doing Writing Tales. WT looks fun but would still be too advanced for dd next year I believe.

Would WWE be an appropriate choice for this student next year? What resources would you recommend? I'm confused about the text, workbook, and student sheet options. Exactly what areas does this program cover? Which level would you recommend?

I was thinking that I could drop the handwriting because of all the copy work. Then pick it up again in 3rd when I want to intro. cursive. I could continue on with FLL, Phonics, and Spelling using our current programs.

Thoughts? If there's another curric. choice you feel would be better in this case please chime in as well.

TIA,

[arcara]

I'm using WWE with my 1st and 3rd graders this year and they are enjoying it. They like all of the stories. I think it's making them comfortable with narrating and beginning writing. I don't use a separate handwriting curriculum for them.

The hardcover text gives you an overview of the whole program that will eventually go through 12th grade. It gives you SWB's writing philosophy. It also gives you instructions for choosing passages for narration, copywork, and dictation for grades 1-4. There are currently workbooks for grades 1 and 2 with stories, copywork, and dictation already chosen. The workbook for grade 3 is due by the end of summer. No one has heard about the grade 4 workbook. They are open-and-go and tell you what to do each day, 4-days per week for 36 weeks. We're using these, and I love them! I like having things put together for me. However, I've heard of others who like to choose their own passages. The student pages are included in the 2nd half of the workbook. They are just pages with the copywork printed out or blank lines for their dictation and narrations. I don't use these. I just have my kids do their work on their regular notebook paper.

HTH!

[gamommy]

Would we start at level 1 or go straight to level 2?

[dcjlkplus3]

Would we start at level 1 or go straight to level 2?

If you could get, or borrow the text, it has evaluations that you could do to see what level to go with. I did not do that, I just put my dd7 in the 2nd level for 2nd grade and it was a good fit.

[Mallory]

To start at level 2 the big difference is they need to be able to do copywork well enough that they can start dictation.