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mimmyof5
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| Posted: Oct 15 2007 at 8:51am | IP Logged
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Has anyone here used Writing Tales? Comments?
Also, I see in searching the older threads that some of you had started using/were thinking about using Classical Writing. How has that gone for your families?
Thanks,
Janet
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mimmyof5
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| Posted: Oct 24 2007 at 8:34pm | IP Logged
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I thought I'd try once again. Any of you that used Classical Writing? Still using it? Is it easy to tweak? If you're no longer using it, why?
Thanks,
Janet
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Macmom
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| Posted: Oct 26 2007 at 11:39pm | IP Logged
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We LOVE, LOVE LOVE classical Writing: Aesop.
Used it last year with 4th grader, 5th grader, and 7th grader. They enjoyed it, too.
I was hoping to get to Classical Writing Homer this year, but baby #9 is keeping my expectations lowered for awhile. We WILL get to it, though.
I really like the progymnasmata approach. Modeling is such a good exercise in writing.
2 of my friends are using Aesop this year, and also enjoying it. We like that some days, it's teacher intensive, but many days, it's work the student does on his own.
Peace,
Macmom
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Catholic family life works on the same principle as a washing machine- clothes get clean by agitation.
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mimmyof5
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| Posted: Oct 27 2007 at 1:40pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Macmom. I went ahead and ordered Aesop Level A. I will be using this with my 10 yr old 5th grader. She used Seton English last year, and I started her with Seton 5th gr. English, but am so disappointed with the results in her writing. Actually, there are no results. No improvement. She's very obedient about completing the exercises, however, I can tell she detests them.
When I read about Classical Writing it sounded somewhat similar to what I did on my own with my older two daughters (modeling/imitation). I am feeling a little intimidated by the teacher's learning curve; hopefully I'll get it this week and can spend next weekend trying to figure it out.
I'm glad to read your positive review since I've spend the money.
Thanks,
Janet
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StacyLynn
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| Posted: Nov 05 2007 at 5:41pm | IP Logged
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Janet,
Will you let me know what you think? I too have a ten year old fifth grader and am not sure about Seton (we are using it now).
Thanks,
StacyLynn
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mimmyof5
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| Posted: Nov 06 2007 at 6:17pm | IP Logged
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I'm only on Lesson 2, but so far, so good. My dd was using Seton 5th gr English (2nd year in Seton) with absolutely no improvement in her writing. Worse than that, it was like pulling teeth to get any words down on paper. I think it so hard for them to start with a blank slate. That's the main reason I went with CW because it's based on modeling/imitation.
The program includes spelling, vocabulary and grammar, but it would be easy to leave those out. I think in Homer they're using Harvey's grammar along with CW. For the writing portion I read the fable, the she reads it. She narrates, we discuss any words she doesn't understand, talk about the characters, setting, etc. We followed this with a key word outline similar to IEW, and then she wrote from that outline and we edited it together.
With Seton she would sit there grasping her pencil so hard her fingers would ache. She wouldn't know how to start even if she had an outline. This is the first time I've seen her dig into a writing assignment - with a smile. 
I don't think you would need the instructor's guide, but I went ahead and got it. It has the daily breakdown for you. Probably you could make up your own just with the Aesop book.
Anyway, right now I'm very pleased. Of course, six months from now - who knows?
Janet
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Willa
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| Posted: Nov 06 2007 at 9:04pm | IP Logged
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I love Classical Writing: Aesop too. I was just looking at it again today (we are still getting our writing curriculum off the ground for this year). We used it several years ago and it was quite successful.
I love the way it integrates the grammar and word analysis with composition and beginning literature analysis.
My only "problem" with it comes from myself -- I have trouble using things that are complex at all. My comfort mode is just sitting down with a book and a kid and pencil and paper-- anything more complicated than that and it gets pushed to last place.
But I'm going to try to figure out how to make it work.
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Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Nov 08 2007 at 10:16am | IP Logged
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I have felt the same when I have used the CW program. I enjoyed the portion of Aesop we did, but then it just got to the point where I would just pick something out for my ds to imitate....
I think the premise is excellent, which is why I am so drawn to it (I ordered Homer because of this- but alas, it sits unused on the shelf), but in the execution I balk. It is just to complex and maybe 'schooly' for me. It needs to be simple for me to be able to carry it through! (I know many moms do find it easy to execute, while others find it very complicated!)
I am also trying to put something together for my ds12....we have been doing a bunch of writing but I want to get a unit together to focus with him on!
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Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
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Beverley
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| Posted: Nov 12 2007 at 10:55am | IP Logged
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We used CW(Aesop)for the past two years. We are not using it this year, but still use it main premise - imitation of good writing. (we are not using for reasons outside my immediate control at the moment...)
After the first few months of using it I streamlined it to fit our schedule. We did the writing portions )read story and outline - rough draft - edit and final draft) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday we focused on grammar rules and spelling rules. For spelling we used a different program.
Eventually I added Total Language Plus for more reading and literature focus. My 4th grade Daughter (Now 5th) really liked these. I'd love to go back to using them - sigh - maybe later this year, or next....
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BrendaPeter
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| Posted: Nov 13 2007 at 4:02pm | IP Logged
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We used CW last year and, although my kids liked it, I was not confident enough as a writer to implement it. I found too that the grammar portion did not have enough of an answer key for me  . I finally made the plunge & bought IEW which I'm really, really looking forward to starting.
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Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Writing Tales, Classical Writing
