Please tell me what writing curriculum (or approach) you like for 6-7 grade.

[shanvan]

I need some input. I've looked at so many different things my brain is in a fog. I am starting to have dreams about writing curriculum, and they aren't nice, happy dreams!

I really would like something that deals with the real nitty gritty of writing in areas such as word choice, sentence structure, eliminating boring and overused words etc. I'd also like some essay writing to be part of whatever we use.

Any one have a recommendation or want to share what you are using and what you like about it?

Shannon

[Hoggirl]

I think this has what you are looking for.

I would use the SWI-B for this grade level.

I have liked it b/c of the checklist component. This helps to overcome "battles" between my son and me over his writing.

Over time I have loosened the requirement to get every dress-up, decoration, sentence-opener, etc. b/c as you get further in and there are more and more the writing tends to become overly contrived. But, knowing all of them provides a good mental reminder to use variety in sentence structure, have variety in sentence openers, and not use banned words.

[shanvan]

We used SWI A this year. I used A because I wanted my youngest to watch too and at least try some of the assignments. I am looking for something different for next year. We did like IEW, but I don't want to continue with it for next year because I want to avoid contrived writing style. I think I have a natural writer on my hands, but he may need some help with specific writing problems. We may go back to IEW later (using their requirements loosely, as you described). Hope I'm making sense.

Shannon

[HollyinNNV]

IEW is my suggestion. I've taught it in a writing co-op for 6 years (approx). It does not produce a contrived writing style.
Holly

[Melissa in CA]

I have not used this myself, but have you looked into Write Shop?

I am actually in the same quandary as you right now for my son next year. I am currently considering IEW or CW for Older Beginners. My 1st choice is CW, but I am holding out to see how time consuming our year is going to play out to be. If I KNOW that I will not have the time to adequately teach CW, then I will probably go with IEW. I am considering Write Shop as well, as well as using more of our TOG writing assignments and more KF outlining.

Its a hard call. :tongue_smilie:

[shanvan]

IEW is my suggestion. I've taught it in a writing co-op for 6 years (approx). It does not produce a contrived writing style.
Holly


Some say it does; some say it doesn't. Somehow, some parents/teachers have been able to tell who has used IEW, and say that the writing is contived. I haven't seen enough of it to make up my mind yet. I like IEW, but I do want a different approach for next year.

I suppose I'm looking for something that would have exercises that deal with common writing problems. Where I could pick and choose as I see specific problems, or weaknesses in my DS writing. I don't need help coming up with assignments.

Shannon

[shanvan]

I have not used this myself, but have you looked into Write Shop?

I am actually in the same quandary as you right now for my son next year. I am currently considering IEW or CW for Older Beginners. My 1st choice is CW, but I am holding out to see how time consuming our year is going to play out to be. If I KNOW that I will not have the time to adequately teach CW, then I will probably go with IEW. I am considering Write Shop as well, as well as using more of our TOG writing assignments and more KF outlining.

Its a hard call. :tongue_smilie:

I noticed you listed Writing Aids. Is it not providing enough instruction for you? I am considering all of the same things you are and will be using TOG 1 until mid year next year and then probably starting TOG 2.

I had considered just using TOG writing assignments and Writing Aids until I see how that goes and then making a decision. Hummm.....

[OhElizabeth]

Shannon, have you looked at the CC courses from IEW? They're much more interesting than the SWI's, from what I can tell in looking at the free lesson plans on the IEW website. They're really good, take a look. As far as the contrived thing, they can't get beyond contrived until they are good enough. So yes, you're going to have kids that come out of IEW with contrived, wretched, stiff, formulaic writing, and you're going to have kids who are advanced enough to make the principles their own who are going to soar.

The real reason you need a writing program is because you yourself don't yet know what you're trying to accomplish. You said you can make the assignments, but you don't yet know how to help him turn that into good writing. So doing IEW is so *you* can learn, so *you* can teach. I haven't seen the TWISS videos, but those might help. Or get the summary booklet (thought I grant it didn't look very inspiring in the samples I saw). I also suspect you need to bump the level up and keep going, that you just didn't go far enough. See where we're at is in a "dispensation of grace" toward my dd, you might say, due to her age. We're going to do Paragraph Writing Made Easy this summer and just slowly ease into things. I wouldn't hesitate to do IEW with her if I don't get the writing I want. The CC levels supposedly don't focus on the dress-ups so much, assuming the student already knows how and when to apply them, and the assignments are much more interesting. I think if you kick the level up and lay off the formulaic side a little, you'd be fine. Nothing says you have to USE the checklists you know, lol. You could make your own. I can even send you the ones I made. :)

[Melissa in CA]

I noticed you listed Writing Aids. Is it not providing enough instruction for you? I am considering all of the same things you are and will be using TOG 1 until mid year next year and then probably starting TOG 2.

I had considered just using TOG writing assignments and Writing Aids until I see how that goes and then making a decision. Hummm.....

Writing Aids is great. I am the problem. I was finding myself letting the WA assignments slide because it wasn't forcing my hand enough. I also decided I truly like the classical approach (progym) which is why I originally purchased WT2 last year for my son. I had dropped it in favor of WA the beginning of this school year, and we did well with WA at first, but I felt very drawn to WT2 and so we picked it back up and continued. My son does well with the classical approach to writing. I get more complaints with the WA approach. :glare: I now use WA occasionally depending on the assignment given that week. ;)

WA may actually be a great fit for you. It might be wise for you to do as you're considering...trying TOG/WA first before deciding. Many use just TOG's writing assignments and do quite well with that. :001_smile:

[Leanna]

After using a combination of IEW, Writing Aids, and Jump In for the past three years in my co-op classes, I am highly considering "The Lost Tools of Writing" by Circe Institute.

I am listening to the CD's right now, and I really feel like this is what I have been looking for. It seems to get into the real "nitty-gritty" of writing. I have been frustrated with the lack of precision and wordiness of the writing in my co-op classes. I know others on this board are using "Lost Tools", so maybe they'll chime in. :)

[motherdear]

This has been around for ages. It can be used from grades two through 12 and is the most thorough book for writing I've ever come across! I believe it's proved its test of time!

[MIch elle]

Some say it does; some say it doesn't. Somehow, some parents/teachers have been able to tell who has used IEW, and say that the writing is contived. I haven't seen enough of it to make up my mind yet. I like IEW, but I do want a different approach for next year.

I suppose I'm looking for something that would have exercises that deal with common writing problems. Where I could pick and choose as I see specific problems, or weaknesses in my DS writing. I don't need help coming up with assignments.

Shannon

Meaningful Composition level 6 or Lost Tools of Writing are some that have been recommended on these boards for writing.

We love IEW HBWL.