Just learned that you can sign up for a free monthy newsletter, that will include some writing tips. I am sure it is just a clever marketing, but check it out:-)http://www.writeguide.com/teachletter.htm

So Ania, what did your DD think about the writing course? I'm curious because it might be something for my kiddos.

My two oldest are taking an EPGY writing course now (MUCH more expensive and neither of the boys are doing very well, but they say they are learning a lot). None of their classes at school have taught them how to write essays. Whenever they turn in an assignment, it comes back with a grade on it--no marks. They need the red pen to correct grammar, rearrange sentences--EPGY is doing that, but it ends soon.

Ugh. I always asked my college students how many of them wrote one big research paper their senior year of high school and got it back with a letter grade on it and no comments. It was definitely the majority, and many years the ENTIRE CLASS, to a person, said this was their experience!

Crazy! How can people learn to write better without feedback?

Sorry. I just hate to hear stuff like this.

Cym wrote


She is only beginning with them. I have been contacted by the administration yesterday and the teacher should contact us today. It takes about 48 hours to start. DD has been writing her book report, so she can submit it when the time comes. Will keep you posted:-)
I am keeping EPGY as an option for next school year as an in class work. How much time per day are your sons spending on it?

My 2 older DS's attend the class once/week for one hour (very manageable) Then they do their homework which is usually about 2-4 hrs total. They are supposed to improve the classroom technology in April (there have been glitches). Difficult grading can be discouraging to kids used to getting perfect grades.

http://www.writeguide.com/ introduced by Ania

I enrolled my kids for a four month course with this company. I initially intended to enroll only my daughter, as my son does get writing instruction in 6th grade. I was really pleased to learn that SIBLINGS MAY SHARE A WRITING CONSULTANT WITH THIS COMPANY AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. This is wonderful for our situation as both children have plenty of school homework each night. Although, only one child may correspond with the instructor per day, it will work out great with their other requirements.

I’ll let you know how it all progresses.

delbows,

I want to know how you like these classes. It sounds like a great program so please give us an update in a few weeks.
Thanks!
Cym

Hi Guys:

A few words about our experience. DD 10 (5th grade) finished the course a few weeks ago.
I think I am having a really difficult time evaluating this experience. I am tempted to say that it did not meet all of "my" expectations, but at the same time I think that I might sign her up again in the near future.
DD worked with her "writing consultant" on a book report about Anne of Green Gables. The second assignment, towards the end of the course, was a "bragging" letter to a Denver summer program.
I have to say, that all the re-writes were the work of my daughter, the consultant was just guiding her with totally different examples (I sometimes felt that those examples have actually nothing to do with our story, that they were too general), which I guess was good (see, I am contradicting myself:-). The bad part was that on most days all my daughter needed to do was to correct one sentence. It drove me crazy, especially on weekends - not enough to do!

I would say that overall the whole experience was mediocre. But at least DD got a feedback on her writing - hich is not happening at school.
Are there any other writing courses out there?

Hi Ania,

DS13 & DS11 both took an EPGY Writing Class (Intermediate Writing I) this spring. It was pretty intense (with all that we had going on at the same time) and expensive. But both boys thought it was excellent. They really believe it improved their writing and taught them a lot. Their last two essays were terrific. They would be in the virtual class for one hour, once a week with the instructor & other students. They would have weekly assignments that took between 2-4 hrs, sometimes a little more), readings, etc. They covered character development, literary analysis/symbolism, Point of View, essay writing, allusion, compare/contrast, peer commentary, personal narratives. It was short (10 weeks) which I really like and I wouldn't hesitate to sign up for subsequent courses, if it weren't for: cost, some technical difficulties we experienced (they say they're upgrading virtual class program), and our own schedule constraints. The exciting thing was to read the work of other students (age 11-13, but with qualifying SAT scores, so obviously very bright). DS11 has always thought he's a great writer (and he is, or at least he has the ability to become one), but when he read what another very able kid wrote, he understood he has some work to do. I think it's important to expose high ability kids to other high ability kids so that they don't expect a life of coasting. The class was also a little humbling because they're used to getting straight A's but DS13 got a B and DS11 got a B+. Each of them failed an assignment (failing is B-)...I read the work of other kids and thought it was amazing, and my kids improved their writing.

Ania-

I've just heard about this one: http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/book/blight.asp

I was considering one of the more expensive online courses for this fall, but this is very reasonably priced and the literature selections are excellent. The 19th century lit courses also dovetail very nicely with DS's Thinkwell American Govt. course.

I'm feeling so organized! I never have all this stuff figured out this far in advance...