Help me pick a good writing program for my son

[mommyrooch]

My son is almost 11 and I want to start him on a writing program.

I want something that is going to teach him the mechanics of writing from brainstorming and clustering his thoughts to completed writings and everything in between.

What are some good writing programs out there that fit this description? What should I be looking for in a writing program for a 11 year old?

I do not want a program that combines Language Arts with writing. We use Easy Grammar for Grammar and Sequential Spelling for our spelling and my son loves these so I am just looking for a stand alone writing program. This is really the only area that we are weak in.

Thank you for your help and advice. :001_smile:

[Perry]

We tried several, and my favorite is IEW. I wish I would have used it from the beginning.

[Colleen in NS]

My son is almost 11 and I want to start him on a writing program.

I want something that is going to teach him the mechanics of writing from brainstorming and clustering his thoughts to completed writings and everything in between.

What are some good writing programs out there that fit this description? What should I be looking for in a writing program for a 11 year old?

I do not want a program that combines Language Arts with writing. We use Easy Grammar for Grammar and Sequential Spelling for our spelling and my son loves these so I am just looking for a stand alone writing program. This is really the only area that we are weak in.

Thank you for your help and advice. :001_smile:

WWE will help with what I think you are describing. It helps students to organize their thoughts into words (from a selection they have read), and to get their words onto paper with proper punctuation, spacing, spelling, etc.. (It doesn't teach spelling, it just has you correcting spelling during writing) I accelerated through this last year with my 10yob.

[mommyrooch]

WWE will help with what I think you are describing. It helps students to organize their thoughts into words.

I really hate to sound dumb here but what does WWE stand for?

[Colleen in NS]

I really hate to sound dumb here but what does WWE stand for?

You don't sound dumb. :) It's Writing With Ease, by Susan Wise Bauer. You can see samples and chapters of it at the Peace Hill Press site. If you read the sample chapters 3 and 4, it will give you a clear picture of the book.

[mommyrooch]

Thank you Colleen, I've been homeschooling for four years now and I still find that I learn something new everyday. :001_smile: I will definitely take a look at this. I'd like to decide on something soon so that I can get started with my son. Thanks again

[Homeschooling6]

I was going to have my ds start Meaningful Composition bk 4+ but decided to use their whole LA program instead. I did purchase MC and it looks great. Teaches them the key word outline and so much more. Starts right at the beginning.

[mommyrooch]

We tried several, and my favorite is IEW. I wish I would have used it from the beginning.

Okay, another dumb question.:blush: What does IEW stand for? :confused:

[mommyrooch]

I was going to have my ds start Meaningful Composition bk 4+ but decided to use their whole LA program instead. I did purchase MC and it looks great. Teaches them the key word outline and so much more. Starts right at the beginning.

Thanks, I'll take a look at this one too. I'm writing all of these ideas down so please keep them coming.

[Homeschooling6]

Okay, another dumb question.:blush: What does IEW stand for? :confused:

Institute for Excellence in Writing (http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/):)

[Cadam]

WTM suggests Writing Strands and it works well for us.

[mom31257]

Apologia Jump In is working very well with my 12 yo dd. She has always written things on her own, but assigned writing was a struggle before this program. We started it in January, and I feel it's the best thing we've ever done for her. It's simple and the teacher's book is very helpful on grading writing.

[dalynnrmc]

Check out Foundations to Writing (http://www.brightideaspress.com/ILLUM1.htm)(scroll all the way to the bottom of the Illuminations page) from Bright Ideas Press (http://www.brightideaspress.com/)(publisher of Mystery of History, Christian Kids Explore science, and All American History). This is scheduled into their language arts program (Illuminations), but can certainly be used alone. For older kids or more experienced writers, Illuminations schedules WriteShop, to give you an idea of their standards.

They aren't the original publishers of this program, but are the only ones who carry it at the reduced homeschool price. I'll see if I can dig up the page I know I've seen that has the info on it.... It's definately made for non-writers, and uses visuals and graphic organizers for the entire first 18 weeks - no writing required. ;) Perfect for us!


ETA: Learning Success Institute (http://writingliteracy.com/index.html)site for their program, that Illuminations has tweaked and scheduled. I must warn you, the site is not very informative. Here (http://learningsuccessinstitute.com/products.html#writing) is a little more; scroll down to the Link-Up to Writing Set.