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Writing- when are these skills covered in HOD?

Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 5:09 pm
by Dandelion5
Hhhhhhhh

Re: Writing- when are these skills covered in HOD?

Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 7:42 am
by LynnH
I know in CTC my ds wrote a longer fable and some longer paragraphs using Write with the Best. I honestly can't remember if that is when he did the 5 paragraph essay or not. I know he did that in RTR using the IEW program. He did a lot of learning to take notes from multiple sources in RTR also and then putting that together in a paper. I know in Rod and Staff 6 this year he also learned more about research papers and taking notes from multiple sources to put them together into a research paper. That was with the resources given to him. He hasn't done one completely from scratch. The HOD method is more building a strong foundation with each step of the process so that by the time they write the completed essay it is a solid essay. My dc were in public school, my dd until the end of 9th grade, and yes they start writing research papers early on, but they were not quality papers. They wrote essay's before they even covered much grammar. My dd always got A's on her papers and was in Honors English, but when she came home she had to relearn how to write. She had gotten into some terrible habits as far as punctuation and not backing up her points fully etc. My dh, who often grades my dc's writing assignments, used to comment that my ds was writing better papers than my dd and she is 4 years older and my ds has some disabilities. It is because of the foundation that HOD has built.

Re: Writing- when are these skills covered in HOD?

Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:00 pm
by MelInKansas
You say you will be having a major surgery and therefore want to put your son in PS for a few months. Well, I don't deny that you may need to do this, but I suppose that is just for childcare, not for academics. As noted, the approach, and foundation are totally different so you can't really expect him to smoothly transition and be able to learn well in such a different environment for such a short time. My guess is that it will probably be traumatic for him.

I would think a 5th grader could stay at home with you for that time, but I don't know what your other DC ages are. I would skip school for that time, for sure, but just pick it up after the recovery is over. If you have a lot of DC or very young ones, I can understand you could not be caring for them while you recover from surgery. I hope you figure out a solution that will work well for your family.

Re: Writing- when are these skills covered in HOD?

Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:56 pm
by Dandelion5
Dddddeee

Re: Writing- when are these skills covered in HOD?

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 12:07 pm
by pjdobro
I'll just add that in the first part of R&S 5, which is what my dc did in CTC, they learned how to take notes from several sources, make an outline, and then put that in an essay. I think those skills coupled with doing oral and also the written narrations makes the transition to a longer research paper an easy one. Though my dc haven't done a several page research paper at this point (we just finished 5th grade with CTC), I think they are fully capable and have the skills necessary with little help to pull it off. They have learned the foundational skills necessary with each year adding another layer to those skills. I wouldn't worry about your ds writing skills as you continue in HOD. He'll have the necessary foundation in writing and I'm sure will easily adapt to using those in the way that is required of him when needed. :D

Re: Writing- when are these skills covered in HOD?

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 1:33 pm
by Carrie
Dandelion5,

The ladies are doing a great job of helping you! :D This past thread will also be of help to you as it outlines the writing progression up through RTR: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8731

Writing is actually a very strong area in HOD as we focus on writing across the curriculum and writing for a variety of purposes, so over time (when coupled with the CM style learning experience that we also scheduled in HOD) this produces students who can write well. :D Writing is one area where students coming in to HOD from a different program often struggle a bit at first, as they are not used to the variety and depth of writing we require on a weekly basis. To combat this, we make sure that we never ask kiddos to write something without instruction in how to do it first ( with instruction coming either in Rod and Staff, or in a writing program manual, or in our guide). We also do not ask children to do something earlier than they are able to do it well, as we want a strong founding in grammar, English, copywork, dictation, narration, and reading before we attempt longer writing assignments. :D

I think you will be pleased with what is scheduled within HOD as you journey. :D However, it is good to remember that educating our children is a long, steady walk rather than a race. Writing is one area that cannot be rushed to produce good results. It takes time to really have something worth saying and to be able to express that well in written form. :D So, to rush to meet a certain standard by a certain time often produces rushed results, with much help needed by the parent to get that result. It's better to take our time honing skills that last a lifetime. :D

Blessings,
Carrie

Re: Writing- when are these skills covered in HOD?

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:33 pm
by Dandelion5
Ggggggghhh

Re: Writing- when are these skills covered in HOD?

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:58 pm
by Carrie
From the link I posted above:
In RTR, Medieval-History Based Writing Lessons are scheduled 3 times weekly with units on writing from key word outlines, summarizing references, research reports, formal essay and report writing, narrative stories, literary critiques, creative essay writing with thesis, and the super-essay.
Rod and Staff also includes these skills that you mentioned in both research, essay, and report writing at increasing levels of difficulty. Write with the Best II has students taking notes, outlining, and writing reports and essays too. We have kiddos research from one source starting with Preparing Hearts weekly. This continues in CTC weekly and in RTR weekly. In Rev2Rev, students research more often for the signers of the Declaration of Independence as well as through primary source documents. In MTMM, the research is for the President study and comes from both the DVD and the book on the Presidents. Primary source documents in MTMM are done through speeches. :D

The guides have many ways that we approach the skills you listed, rather than in just one form. So, the teaching and practice of these skills are wound within many of the activities. :D Writing is so much more than just research, reports, essays though.

Blessings,
Carrie

Re: Writing- when are these skills covered in HOD?

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 5:35 pm
by Dandelion5
Hhhhhhh