Kimber
03-05-2009, 08:37 AM
After reading about the Lost Tools of Writing on this board (Thanks Karenciavo), I took the opportunity to drive a little and hear Mr. Kern speak, it was awesome.
I really like the way the program is organized. I love the 3 weeks per paper. I love, love the invention aspect of it. Instead of a rewrite, it actually teaches children to think--tackling any subject in the context of ideas. It teaches style in a way that is modern and correct. I really like IEW, but the style in The Lost Tools of Writing is the style that modern writers use in real writing. As I understand it, writers try to avoid "ly" adverbs like the plague. (He doesn't say to avoid them, he just doesn't force them. Instead he focuses on clarity in writing and making the writing come alive. And the avoidance of ly, I got this little tidbit from a journalist.)
Best thing about Lost Tools of Writing is that it can be used like IEW across the curriculum. It does in one level, what CW does in about 4. CW is still a good program, I still like it. I just don't have the time for all that's rolled into it.
Lost Tools of Writing doesn't have grammar. And I like that too. It's easy to pull out a poorly written sentence and rewrite it or diagram it. Also, my kids will be getting grammar through co-op so, we don't need it in a writing program too.
It's a Christian program, but can be used secularly because you apply the skills to any subject.
Mr. Kern advises that 7 th graders use it for two years. (9th graders use it over one)
He said that once a child can write a paragraph well, they might be ready for the Lost Tools of Writing.
I mentioned that I am having my daughter rewrite historical narratives, from a 3 part outline, a beginning, middle, and end. He said that from there she would probably be ready for The Lost Tools of Writing.
I couldn't understand how the program worked, but it's basically a program that teaches students to think, to organize their ideas, and to put it on paper in an affective way.
I really liked what I saw. I'm thinking of using the tools with my co-op class in a couple of weeks. For now, I've only sat through a 7 hour workshop covering the material. But I really liked it and will be using this for our high school classes.
I really like the way the program is organized. I love the 3 weeks per paper. I love, love the invention aspect of it. Instead of a rewrite, it actually teaches children to think--tackling any subject in the context of ideas. It teaches style in a way that is modern and correct. I really like IEW, but the style in The Lost Tools of Writing is the style that modern writers use in real writing. As I understand it, writers try to avoid "ly" adverbs like the plague. (He doesn't say to avoid them, he just doesn't force them. Instead he focuses on clarity in writing and making the writing come alive. And the avoidance of ly, I got this little tidbit from a journalist.)
Best thing about Lost Tools of Writing is that it can be used like IEW across the curriculum. It does in one level, what CW does in about 4. CW is still a good program, I still like it. I just don't have the time for all that's rolled into it.
Lost Tools of Writing doesn't have grammar. And I like that too. It's easy to pull out a poorly written sentence and rewrite it or diagram it. Also, my kids will be getting grammar through co-op so, we don't need it in a writing program too.
It's a Christian program, but can be used secularly because you apply the skills to any subject.
Mr. Kern advises that 7 th graders use it for two years. (9th graders use it over one)
He said that once a child can write a paragraph well, they might be ready for the Lost Tools of Writing.
I mentioned that I am having my daughter rewrite historical narratives, from a 3 part outline, a beginning, middle, and end. He said that from there she would probably be ready for The Lost Tools of Writing.
I couldn't understand how the program worked, but it's basically a program that teaches students to think, to organize their ideas, and to put it on paper in an affective way.
I really liked what I saw. I'm thinking of using the tools with my co-op class in a couple of weeks. For now, I've only sat through a 7 hour workshop covering the material. But I really liked it and will be using this for our high school classes.