Hey Carrie! and other Calvert/WTM users...

Discussion in 'Homeschooling' started by TinaTx, Apr 24, 2004.

  1. TinaTx

    TinaTx New Member

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    I was just trying to figure out what I was going to do for next years writing?

    You know I'm a fan of Calvert and WTM (The Well Trained Mind) Well they just released their new book complete with updates and revisions. I have had my head in it this whole weekend!:D

    What I was wondering for Carrie, is *Were there very many graphic organizers used in 4th grade writing for Calvert?*

    I'm going to do pretty well everything on my own this year as it suits us better right now. I will be using some of the Calvert Spelling CDs with Spelling Workout as a workbook. However, on the writing part of Calvert I'm not sure I've met its match.

    I compared Writing Strands and it looked boring! Maybe it picks up in the later grades.

    Can you give me some ideas of what the writing lessons were like in 4th grade?

    Blessings
    TinaTx
     
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  3. bookchickadee

    bookchickadee New Member

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    TinaTx~

    Composition is really DEEP in 4th! It's a HUGE jump from last year in 3rd. At the beginning of the year, I was kinda scared for my daughter. I was so afraid it would be too much for her but like with everything else Calvert does, it's a gradual ease into it.

    The Lesson Manual does a wonderful job with Comp., as well. If I remember correctly, in 3rd, the lessons seemed short compared to how well it's taught this year. They do a great job at going into depth as to how to get the kiddos thinking and different ways of planning and finding what works for them.

    As far as graphic planners, YES, there are 8 different ones, a book report form and lessons on learning how to make word planners rather than graphic organizers.

    4th covers writing 2-3 paragraph comps with an introductory paragraph, as well. They learn how to plan and write Factual Comps, Descriptive Comps, Creative Comps and Book Reports. This year they go into great detail about using *polishing point* to edit and proofread their work. Great detail goes into learning how adjectives and adverbs can really spruce up a comp. By the end of the year, they start learning how to write in dialogue with quotations.

    I was really pleased with the assortment of Comps they could write this year. They have about 1 comp a week. We actually have Comp 3 times a week but they break the writing process up nicely. For each comp they have to write, the list of topics to pick from is wonderful! Alot more to pick from than last year in 3rd.

    Libby is one Lesson 121 and I would have NEVER thought she would be able to write as wonderfully as she can now. She was not the best writer last year but something this year clicked. I think it's because Comp was so detailed and REALLY got into the nitty gritty of writing ..... from all aspects.

    I think you will be VERY impressed with 4th Comp. ~ it's a whole 'nother ballgame, compared to 3rd. Let me know if there's anything I've missed or if you would like me to type up several of the comp lessons throughout the LM .... just so you can see how they progess throughout the year.

    ~Carrie
     
  4. TinaTx

    TinaTx New Member

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    Carrie thats EXACTLY what I wanted to hear!

    Call me crazy, but I will order the whole 4th grade curriculum to just get the writing alone! Writing is that important to me!

    I have Writing Strands and the writing composition suggested by Rod and Staff. The writing suggested by Rod and Staff is similar to Calvert's 3rd grade. So I'm hopeful for that part of it.

    However, I was not very impressed with the writing strands, but I know a lot of people that like it. It also maybe like some other writing programs, where they get better as they go along.

    Its just that my son is use to doing Calvert's writing and has had no problems......we go slow as he *thinks* he doesn't like writing. If you compare his writing to the model, he's right on target!

    So I just didn't want to *slip back* so to speak.....

    Well let me see next year looks like Calvert writing, with First Language Lesson by WTM and Rod & Staff grammar (part writing here), Veritas Press reading with progeny press and SOTW history and science..

    Wowee..I think I have of a hodgpodge lol

    Thanks again

    Blessings
    TinaTx
     

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