Understanding Writing

Homeschoolers' Comments

"Understanding Writing" is absolutely the neatest thing we've used yet. It makes language arts "Do-able" for multi-ages at once. My kids have improved tremendously. They love the word games around the table. There are hundreds of games and variations, but one for an example is giving an adjective to describe something. I say "child" and the kids must give an adjective to describe the child like "hungry child", "sick child", "skinny child", etc. Just when you have slowed down to a crawl in describing child, you S - T - R - E - T - C - H their minds by going around again and then one more time! They moan, but then are proud when they make it! And they really get better the more we play this kind of game. It increases their vocabularies, too, because in the relaxed game attitude they just ask what something means and I quickly and simply answer as the game moves on, or another sibling answers. Also, there are so many, many ideas, that it is fun for me as teacher. It makes sense to use different groups of lessons together, but I enjoy the freedom of choosing within several pages and checking them off as I do them. I write in my book to keep up with the exact games and words that I use with them and also mark it if we need to do more of that kind of activity with an star. Smiley faces means they did really well. The writing assignments (progressing from sentences to paragraphs to letters to different types of writing) help me to know what to ask for, and how to evaluate their work. It is hard to explain the relief of knowing what I'm looking for in every writing assignment after YEARS of grading four levels of language arts papers. I've been homeschooling for over 9 years, and wish I had found this years ago. My students are 9, 11, 12 & 14. She writes in the way I would naturally talk to my kids about the subjects, which makes it easier for me to communicate. She recommends 15-20 minutes of teaching, and that time really flies! Then you give writing assignments. I give some journal time and some handwriting every day - there's no end to all the learning that goes on with this WONDERFUL K-12 curriculum!!! BP - Texas "I thought I would share how Understanding Writing has helped our daughters! We started it last year, but didn't get very far. This year I've made it a priority. At the first of the year, they were writing letters that went like this: Hi! How are you? How old are you? What's your best color? What's your best animal? You are my very best friend! Write back soon! Now, both girls are writing beautiful letters that truly SAY something! My oldest, who is 11, has really blossomed and even makes her spelling sentences tell a story! Here is one from my 11 year old girl: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Christmas is my most favorite time of the year. I like presents, making presents,(even though I'm glad when it's all done!) and secret servants. Secret servants is a game that you play from the first of the December until Christmas. Everyone has their name in a bowl. Daddy mixes them up, and we each pick one. Then we open the papers and see whose name we have--and keep the secret! After that, we do things for them and DO NOT let them know or anyone else! For an example, if I have Leah then I would make her bed, clean her drawer, lay out her clothes, turn her bed cover down and be kind. I'm sure Jesus likes the game very much! Away in a manger no crib for a bed... Here's one from my 9 year old girl: Snow It snowed last week. It was pretty when it sparkled in the sun. We made five snowmen. Our friend Tina took us to a neighbor's house to sled down a big hill. We made angels in the snow. It's supposed to melt soon, but I hope it doesn't! I like snow! I am truly impressed with the Understanding Writing approach, and I especially like the fact that its focus is on Christ--writing for God's glory. By the way, we have used no formal English/grammar book, and last year my oldest scored four grade levels above in English mechanics! The only exposure she has had was through her writing and some in our reading. I really believe learning it in the context of using it "makes it stick"! Hope this might help anyone who is looking at it! It is well worth the money!" TR - Indiana

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