Author Dave Marks believes that kids become good writers by ... writing! Not by doing endless diagramming or laboring over parts of speech worksheets. He eloquently equates the process of learning to write to learning to ride a bicycle ... you get on and ride, not spend weeks, months, or years labeling the parts of a bicycle on worksheets! Mr. Marks has 27 years of experience teaching in high school and college and also homeschooled his son using this approach (yes, his son did become a writer!). The four strands of writing (argumentative, explanatory, creative and report) are explained, modeled, and practiced throughout the 8 levels. Beginning in level 3, the author speaks directly to the student, a nice touch because Mr. Marks has a tongue-in-cheek humor that makes learning to write enjoyable! We have used this program effectively. Most children begin this program in level 3. Older children may progress more quickly through the lower levels. Dave promises that “A child, at whatever age, having worked through level eight, would be ready for college-level writing.”

Customer Review

 
Michelle C. from North Idaho wrote the following on 01/06/2009:
At first dubious about this program, after finishing the first book, I began to see the brilliant way this series is organized to teach kids incremental skills in writing. Never having been taught how to write creatively in my public school experience, I learned as much as the kids. I have reluctant writers and though they sometimes balked at doing any writing, this program leaves kids the freedom to write about what really interests them within parameters designed to teach new skills. Also the daily assignments are short, usually 15-20 minutes spent reading the assignment and then writing, which makes it more manageable for unenthusiastic kids. I love that the program is non-consumable and therefore affordable. I highly recommend the instructor book "Evaluating Writing".