Homeschool-Talk

I was just looking at a couple of old topics we had on Writing Strands. I was wondering what those of you who've used it recently, think of it. Jen mentioned it didn't work for a kid who hated to write. We are getting past that stage now, and Maddie is enjoying writing. She's very creative. I'm thinking of trying a writing program in the fall. I was also wondering what level you might have used. I'm still reading through the info on their website but thinking maybe level 3. Maddie will be 11, 6th grade in the fall. No previous formal writing program. Enjoying working independently. I'm gong to check around for other programs too, that was just the first one because I knew the name of it. :)

Thanks for any comments, negative or positive, you may have.

We got level 3 for 4th grade. We did the first 2 lessons and put it away to try for 5th grade. Daria's finally to the point of not crying every time she has to write a sentence, so we should have started in level 2. I think if Maddie is to the point of not freaking out over writing then level 3 is where you go.

I love this program because I don't have to teach it. She reads the book and does what the author tells her to (in theory, in practice she goes off half-cocked and then has to read the directions and do it over again.) The con for me is I have to purchase a book to tell me how to evaluate the writing at her level.

Thanks for the input. Maddie has started trying to write stories and keep a diary on her own, so I think she is finally ready. We were at the same place with tears and stomping and all the other theatrics young girls do oh so well last year. Level three sounds right. She is also really enjoying work she can do more on her own now. We've really hit a cool place the last 6 months, like all those years were really worth it!

I'm going to see if I can find a copy of the teacher manual through interlibrary loan before buying it. From the descriptions I've read, I don't think I want to buy it. Neither Mike nor I are keen on the idea of critiquing her writing at this stage other than to offer gentle pointers and basic guidance. I think we've both had too much of our writing torn apart by professors (in his case as an English major) and by bosses (in my case). We really want her to just enjoy writing for now but also learn how to do it well. If that makes sense. Hopefully the library will find me a copy somewhere, the ladies there are really good about digging things up.

Truly, I think the manual is probably to keep parents like me from driving their children insane . I think I'll get it and let Daria critique her own work with it.

There is a library about an hour from where we live that has a "homeschool resource center" (I think they got a grant or something for it). It has lots of curriculum and books and stuff. I was able to search their catalog and they have the parent's guide. The friendly people at my library's reference desk said that sure they can probably get it from through interlibrary loan for me. Yay!