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Complete Writer: Writing With Skill Level One Instructor Text
The Instructor Book is designed to be used by a writing mentor. Its relationship to the Student Book is interesting. All of the instructions to the student are included (in smaller type) as well as the source information and any needed answers. However, when the student is asked to do something with the source material, the Instructor Book provides helps for the mentor (i.e., parent/teacher) to use as she is mentoring the student. For instance, in week 19 the student is given a list of the important events in the life of frontiersman Daniel Boone and asked to lightly mark the events they might want to include in a narrative of his life. Correspondingly, the Instructor's list of those same events has some italicized (those of lesser importance which could be left out); information that can be used to help the student make his selections. Appropriately labeled "How to Help the Student," these sections (part of every lesson) provide direction for the would-be mentor. Through these How to Help sections, the mentor is led into a complete understanding of what is expected of the student in terms of completing the assignment thus making evaluation of the students' work much easier.
The Writing With Skill series has a target audience of 5th through 9th graders but the author now recognizes that many 5th graders may be too young. There is both an Instructor and a Student book at each level. One of the goals of this series is to transition the student into an independent writer. All instruction is written directly to the student while the instructor is encouraged to become more of a writing mentor. Some activities are to be completed by the student independently with no assistance while others suggest that the student should "check your work with your instructor." The student is expected to keep a Composition Notebook (three-ring binder divided into six sections). The entire course requires virtually no prep for the teacher. The student can pick up the Student Book and be on her way.
The Writing With Skill Student Book could be considered a worktext (there are occasional places where the student is expected to write in the book). Source material for all assignments except the final composition is provided in the student book. There are 36 weeks of assignments - four days per week. Assignments are laid out in steps and expectations for written assignments are often quite specific (i.e., number of words, what should be included, specifics of avoiding plagiarism, etc.)
The Instructor Book is designed to be used by a writing mentor. Its relationship to the Student Book is interesting. All of the instructions to the student are included (in smaller type) as well as the source information and any needed answers. However, when the student is asked to do something with the source material, the Instructor Book provides helps for the mentor (i.e., parent/teacher) to use as she is mentoring the student. For instance, in week 19 the student is given a list of the important events in the life of frontiersman Daniel Boone and asked to lightly mark the events they might want to include in a narrative of his life. Correspondingly, the Instructor's list of those same events has some italicized (those of lesser importance which could be left out); information that can be used to help the student make his selections. Appropriately labeled "How to Help the Student," these sections (part of every lesson) provide direction for the would-be mentor. Through these How to Help sections, the mentor is led into a complete understanding of what is expected of the student in terms of completing the assignment thus making evaluation of the students' work much easier. ~ Janice
Product Format: | Softcover Book |
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Grades: | 5-8 |
Brand: | Well-Trained Mind Press |
Author: | Susan Wise Bauer |
ISBN: | 9781933339528 |
Length in Inches: | 11 |
Width in Inches: | 8.5 |
Height in Inches: | 1.25 |
Weight in Pounds: | 3.1 |
I haven't used Writing with Ease, I started with this series. It has been great for my gifted (natural) writer 5th grader, and for my average level 6th and 7th graders. I bet you could start with this book.
What is covered in the book is not just the basics of scholastic writing (5 paragraph essay, topic sentences), but a more in-depth analysis of good writing (yesterday my son was learning how quotes from others can be used to describe a character). It puts a vocabulary and structure to what a natural writer would be able to come up with on their own, so it is useful even for kids who can write well naturally.
My 5th grader needs direction with the activities because he works too quickly and doesn't read all the directions
(and the manual is AWESOME at giving leading questions to ask to help the student along without giving them the answer - very easy to use with no prep). The program teaches directly to the student, so it is also good reading comprehension practice.
My average-level 7th and 8th graders also needed direction. I bet your gifted 7th grader would do well and enjoy the book.
I highly recommend it.
Wanted a straightforward writing text that focused on academic writing skills.
my fathers world 7th grade
Clear, step-wise writing progression.
I have a high schooler that needs help writing essays. We researched multiple options, but this looked the most complete and step-by-step. Although targeted for a younger age group. We are hoping to…