If you're currently using Writing Aids, how is going?

[5wolfcubs]

Are you using just Writing Aids?
How many levels are you teaching?
Do you find it clear & easy to implement?

I started to look through the writing portion of my TOG and felt overwhelmed (the books/activities do not make me feel that way). I'd be using levels 2, 6 & 7...but I'm not sure I'm up for it!

If you want to email me directly, please do!
Lee
my5wolfcubs@yahoo.com

[songbird]

Lee, thanks for asking!

Any responders, please respond here for those of us feeling like Lee. I've been going over my Year Plan for the last 2 months. I've just scheduled out History, Geography, Church History and Literature with TOG for the 1st 6 weeks, but I don't even know where to begin with WA.

Thanks,
AD

[Pat]

I am new to TOG and Writing Aids, I posted about what I am doing with Writing Aids in this thread:
http://tapestryofgrace.groupee.net/e...1/m/6061062132

Basically, this summer, I am printing out everything for each child's assignment and I will have these spiral bound as a reference book for them to use during the year. The information for me will go in there, too.

We will go over the materials for each week, and they will write. The will have a separate binder or folder to keep their current work in. My oldest (level 5) will do his writing on the computer. With my younger (level 2) I'll probably write for him for now.

In weeks when they have hands on activities, I will probably require the writing, but in weeks with written activities I may skip the writing component.

[Susan in La]

Lee,

We used the beta version of Writing Aids last year.

My dc were 8yo dd, 10yo dd, 12yo ds, and 13 yo ds.

We had our best year of writing ever! The dc and I connected with the writing instruction and assessment techniques in a way we never did with the Write Source handbooks.

Here is a comment I wrote back in February:

In the past we used the Write Source handbooks along with the Tapestry assignments. The handbooks seemed to be written in a step-by-step format, by my dc never could understand how to complete the assignments using them.

This year we are using Writing Aids, and my dc's writing has improved by leaps and bounds. The way in which Writing Aids approaches each assignment has really resonated with them.

I do want to note, though, that I spend time each day working with dc on their writing assignments. On Day One, I sit down and go over the assignments and the reference pages (talking points) with each child, give them the appropriate pre-writing supplements and send them off to begin pre-writing. On Day Two, dc complete their pre-writing, and I check it to see if they have included enough specific details. They usually have not, so I make a few suggestions and send them off for more pre-writing. On Day Three, I check their pre-writing again. It is usually sufficient. They then begin writing their first draft. They finish it on Day Four and turn it in for me to look over. I mark suggestions on the paper and hand it back. On Day Five, dc revise, have one of their siblings check it, and then hand in a final copy.

I also found Marcia's Writing Workshop CD's helpful for seeing the "big picture" and for learning how to grade paragraphs and essays.

HTH!

[5wolfcubs]

I just can't decide...and school starts two weeks from today!! Maybe I'll start by just doing Level 2 w/ my 7yo ds, which seems doable and getting something else "self-contained" for the upper levels. There is always next year w/ TOG 2.
Lee

[Susan in La]

Lee,

If I were in your position, I would probably combine the level 6 and 7 students into the same level and not do anything formal with your level 2 ds.

Level 6 breaks down into the following:

Review (9 weeks)
Short story (3 weeks)
Poetry (6 weeks)
Letter writing (2 weeks)
Research (1 week)
Playwriting (4 weeks)
Compare and contrast writing (2 weeks)
Display board (4 weeks)
Research paper (5 weeks)

Before the week begins, I would<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>look at the Level 6 objectives<LI>read the instructions and topics for the week<LI>look up the topics in Writing Aids<LI>read the teacher instructions<LI>print out the talking points<LI>decide which graphic organizers are needed and print them<LI>decide which days I need to work with dc on their assignment[/list]
On the first day of the week, I would<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>go over the instructions and topics for the week with dc<LI>give them the talking points and discuss the assignment<LI>give them any graphic organizers they may need<LI>tell them what I expect each day[/list]
On the second day of the week, I would check dc's progress, make suggestions, re-teach, etc.

And so forth...

A couple of side-notes: I use Classic TOG, and I think it may be easier to see the big picture because the writing assignments are separated out from the week plans. In general, the writing assignments break down into about one genre per month. When I realized that, writing seemed much more do-able.

The writing portion of TOG was the most difficult part for me to implement; I realized last year, though, that it wasn't TOG - it was writing! No matter which writing program I used, I just didn't follow through like I needed. Realizing that the problem was me and not the curriculum was a big breakthrough.

Blessings,

[5wolfcubs]

Thank you, Susan! That was extremely helpful! Seeing it broken down point by point and how you did it makes using Writing Aids seem actually doable.
Lee

[Laura in NO]

I am new to TOG and am planning to do writing as Dana's scheduling tip showed on p2 in the Loom. It seems she has 2 days for grammar and 3 days for composition. But it sounds like many people are doing 5 days for composition. Can I have some feedback? Thanks,by the way I have a 3rd grader and a 5th grader, both boys.

Laura in New Orleans

[Susan in La]

Laura,

Three days never was enough for my children to pre-write, pre-write again (usually), write up a first draft, revise, edit, and then publish. So I started working with them a bit every day, and we made better progress. Sometimes I am just checking on them to make sure they are working. I also have four dc to coach through the writing process each week and five days gave me more "breathing room."

If I were you, I'd start with the schedule Dana recommends. If that amount of time is working, then stick with it. If you end up feeling that writing is rushed or there is no time to polish, then spread the assignment out over more days. Also, modify the topics if you feel they are too abstract for your dss.

HTH!

[Laura in NO]

Thanks Susan,

Can I ask you another question? Do you use the writing aides or something like IEW? Our co-op (which is not a TOG co-op) is teaching IEW this fall. I purchased writing aides because I didn't want to do to many changes at one time but I like the simple approach of IEW.

Also can you tell me what dc and dss stand for ?

Last question, I notice your signature was Susan in La. I live in New Orleans.