Writing & Rhetoric | Homeschool Curriculum Spotlight Review

[@jamierichmeier3755]

I just stumbled across this program. I ordered it after watching half a review on it. So far we are loving it! I have really reluctant writers and they love it!!!!

[@TheHomeschoolBreakroom]

That's wonderful! I hope it continues to be a good fit for your family.

[@LampWaters]

This seriously sounds like what I'm trying to do on my own. This could have some serious potential.

[@athomewithyaf9790]

I've been looking into this curriculum. Thanks for the review.

[@LampWaters]

I'm considering this or iew. I usually try to only buy one curriculum for all my children. They are all five years apart and material needs to be passed down or useable for multiple ages or it's not something we can maintain buying books every year for full curriculum. I appreciate the review. The only books I buy every year is math until I own them all then I won't have to buy those at anymore. Looking for investment curriculum for writing that will cover 1-12 grades for multiple children.

[@LampWaters]

Yeah we have, spelling, vocab for all our books, and grammar too so this could potentially pair nicely. Our curriculum is all books. We do just 3Rs one book at a time. We write about what we read about. The curriculum has all the books, spelling, vocab and grammar. We do saxon math, and do our own writing but I want better building blocks for writing. Something like this wud still let us do a project here and there between lessons or switch out for the occasional book report or research paper. All our subjects are covered in books so health, science, history, poetry and literature, would be easy to implement and go back and forth depending on our reading.

[@TheCookingChronicleswithIngrid]

Interesting.., thanks for sharing I am looking for a good writing curriculum.

[@ZannaTheGreat]

Mommy & Mia Homeschool Chronicles the first three chapters are free to download and try on the publisher's website. It's really great, I used it for 3rd (we finished the first three books that year), then we did IEW for 4th and 5th, and in the second half of 5th we picked up on book 4 and 5 of W&R, and for 6th/7th/8th we will use writing with skill.

[@noahsmilkshake]

Thanks for your review. Are you able to compare Writing and Rhetoric to IEW? I'm trying to narrow down my choices for next year.

[@TheHomeschoolBreakroom]

Unfortunately, I can't because we only used samples of IEW. @LivingWithEve has a video comparing them that you might find helpful. She's strongly IEW (now an affiliate with them) and that comes through in the video, but I still think she has some good thoughts on the two. Both sites have good samples. My recommendation is to download both of them & try them out this year still. Here's the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ_Igp-ClNVkbbs

[@catiemsimpson]

Did you say that you use the same level for both your 4th and 8th graders? I’m thinking of doing this with my upcoming 5th and 7th graders. It looks like it would be a fun program to do with them together! It might be slightly simple for my 7th grader, but still beneficial. Does that sound appropriate? They’ve both had some writing through IEW at their current school, but I am more drawn to this approach for me as the teacher.

[@TheHomeschoolBreakroom]

I'm sorry that I missed your comment! I think your 5th & 7th graders could do it together pretty easily. If it's a little simple for your 7th grader, you could raise the expectations a bit (better penmanship, fewer punctuation errors, slightly longer writing, etc).

[@SuperTopher01]

My grade 7 daughter has been using IEW Structure and Style for the second time and it’s just not a fit. She does Fix It Grammar daily which she loves but we still are trying to find a daily writing. What level do you recommend to begin? Thanks.

[@TheHomeschoolBreakroom]

If you scroll about halfway down on this page, CAP gives their recommendations for W&R placement. classicalacademicpress.com/pages/faqs

[@jessicaTX964]

I know this video is super old but in case you do see this.... is the dictation available outside of the teacher guide? You said you didn't really use the TE, but I can't see how to do that part without the TE...

[@TheHomeschoolBreakroom]

That is a good question and I honestly don't remember the answer. I know that we purchased the audio files from their website, but I don't remember what they included. I just checked and the description is rather vague on their site. I do know that dictation was something we didn't do every week. With my oldest's learning challenges, it was a tough skill for her. I wish I had a better answer for you!

[@menganiu]

Thank you for sharing this, very helpful! Have you used Daily 6-Trait Writing? How do you compare with these 2?

[@TheHomeschoolBreakroom]

They are very different programs. Daily 6 has a higher focus on things like punctuation. Each lesson focuses on things like putting events in order or proper letter-writing format. Students also formulate their writing own their own. Writing & Rhetoric puts an emphasis on providing your kiddo with rich writing that they can use as a model to become a good writer. Does that help?

[@LampWaters]

Any suggestions on logic to go with or is logic included in the higher levels?

[@nicoleauld9536]

If you have an older student (middle schooler) where would you recommend you begin?

[@TheHomeschoolBreakroom]

You could definitely jump in at the corresponding level but I'd back them up. The curriculum is stronger than most writing programs at a similar level and the style of teaching is different. I'd probably start at level 4 or 5 depending on how strong their writing skills are. Their samples are 5 lessons long (so a few weeks long). When you go to their site & find the product, the sample link is actually on the image. (It was hard for me to find!) And in their FAQ section + support tab on the items, they have some actually helpful info on the program & where to start.

[@nicoleauld9536]

@@TheHomeschoolBreakroom thank you so much this is helpful.

[@aliciaedgar4211]

Do you use the Well grammar from this company with it?

[@TheHomeschoolBreakroom]

We have not used the Well Ordered Language program. When my kids were young, we used First Language Lessons. My son (now 5th grade) used Analytical Grammar Jr. this year and he'll do the regular AG starting next year.