Writing in CTC

[4Hispraise]

Hello Ladies! Looking for a little advice. I am unsure what to do about writing. My ds is beginning CTC. We are involved in a co-op on Fridays that have an intense writing class. Ds has daily homework for the class and is writing a paper weekly (including a typed final copy). So...should I continue using the scheduled writing lessons or how do I handle this? I think we may be headed for mutiny if I make him do more writing! Any thoughts??

[my3sons]

Hello Ladies! Looking for a little advice. I am unsure what to do about writing. My ds is beginning CTC. We are involved in a co-op on Fridays that have an intense writing class. Ds has daily homework for the class and is writing a paper weekly (including a typed final copy). So...should I continue using the scheduled writing lessons or how do I handle this? I think we may be headed for mutiny if I make him do more writing! Any thoughts??

Does he have to do the intense writing class? I'd choose CTC over that for many reasons. It has balanced writing in it that matches all the rest of the learning in the guide. So writing is matched to history, to science, etc., and therefore has much more significance. I know it's hard to quit things, but when an outside thing begins to dictate our homeschooling day, I have let it go. There is so much wonderful writing in CTC, why take an intense writing course? If it's for the socialization of the co-op, maybe just scheduling to have a friend or 2 over once a week on a designated afternoon would take care of that and be more social anyway. We went to doing that, and everyone is so very much happier - me included. I realize every family has to weigh the importance of goals though, so you will know best here.

In Christ,
Julie

[Tree House Academy]

I agree with Julie...unless your son is a budding writer who craves more and more of it. That was me when I was in 7th grade - I wrote constantly about anything, everything, and nothing at all. Of course, I went on to get a BA in English with a focus in...writing. LOL So, yes, I would be inclined to drop the rigorous writing class in favor of doing it in the guide the CM way unless he is just begging to write more.

[GracieMarie]

We are in a similar situation except for us the history matches up perfect. Our coop uses IEW and my 7th grader is in that class on Thurdays and they are doing Ancient History based writings. I have her omit the poetry and language art boxes and it is still working out great.

[4Hispraise]

Thanks ladies for all of your input! Here is a little more about my situation: I can't drop out of coop. There are days that I wish that I could! It would be lovely to be an at home home schooling family! But... I am fluent in Spanish and a former Spanish teacher, so I get paid to teach! As for my dc, they get to go for free while I teach. BUT, there are not a huge variety of classes, so the only class offered for his age group is IEW during that time slot. I am trying to work this out for the best of our family...we really need the $$. So, I agree that the ideal way to use HOD is by following the guide as written, but in this case...I know my ds has no choice but to be in the class. I know that he is the type of kid who HAS to do the work for the class (severe OCD)...so, I am just trying to decide how to handle the HOD writing, since I know he is going to do the other writing.

Should I push him to do the writing assignments in CTC or should we just let it slide this year? Will he be behind for the future guides if I don't do the writing portion this year?


GRACIEMARIE, you said you eliminate the LA boxes. Does that mean you don't do Rod and Staff Grammar, either? Just curious. Thanks!

[my3sons]

Will he be behind for the future guides if I don't do the writing portion this year?

I recognize the need to make an income - I have that need myself - so I can see your needing to continue to teach your class. That being said, thinking of just your ds's academics, IEW and Charlotte Mason LA skills differ widely from one another. In HOD, CM LA skills are balanced and present in the plans guide after guide, progressively getting more difficult in a sequential way. Copywork, oral narration, written narration, and dictation are all CM LA skills written in the guides. These skills are taught in CM style and are not covered in IEW. I do believe a child not doing these for a year would fall behind in these areas. R & S English grammar, which includes writing instruction with the goal of teaching grammar for the purpose of writing is also included in CTC. Likewise, not doing these skills for a year would cause a child to fall behind in this area.

"Write with the Best" is the creative writing program chosen in CTC. The manner in which this is taught varies greatly from the manner in which IEW is taught, but they are alike in being programs written for the purpose of teaching excellent writing. HOD has not chosen to use IEW, except for the Medieval-History based writing lessons paired with RTR. The Medieval-History based writing program was chosen as it was written in a more living style, and it was the best choice for the RTR year. "Write with the Best" likewise, was chosen for its more living style, and it was the best choice for the CTC year. These are HOD's selections, and one of the things I love best about HOD is that each year Carrie chooses to look at everything available for a skill set, and then she chooses the very best for that year based on balance, living quality, progression of skills from the last year, etc. The goal of the HOD board is not to help figure out what can be omitted from HOD to be able to do a different writing program, but rather how to help you use HOD to the fullest capacity with the greatest success in your home. I love being a part of the research with Carrie, and enjoy the discussions we have at length about final selections for guides, though it rests on Carrie's expert opinion to make final choices and write balanced plans. So, you can see after the constant prayer and countless discussions for what should go into an HOD guide, it is most difficult for us on our HOD board to help you omit things so you can do something else. All I can say is if it were me, I'd find a way for my ds not to have to do the IEW class. Or, I'd downsize greatly my expectations/goals for him within the IEW homework assignments, and help him complete them as quickly as possible. You will know best here, but I have a growing respect for CM style skills, and have come to the conclusion that the best way for me to teach my dc is to fully embrace them, which blessedly HOD does for me. It is my prayer that you will find what is right for your ds and for you in this situation, as I realize it has it's own special considerations.

In Christ,
Julie