Comments & Reviews

~ A Review by “Heather in VA” on the Well Trained Mind Message Board on Aug. 22, 2007

My initial thoughts of Writing Tales Level 2:

I've spent the last couple of days going over this and I am very impressed. I have not used Level 1 and nearly didn't look at Level 2 because Level 1 just wasn't quite right for my daughter but now I realize it was because she's ready for this level.

Each model takes 2 weeks so you have a total of 15 models over 30 lessons. That gives you some cushion to adjust as needed, especially if you need more time for a writing assignment. The exercises are very clear and include story ordering, copywork, vocabulary, spelling practice (using words spelled incorrectly in their rough drafts), outlining and grammar.

I especially love the outlining. She approaches this in various ways including drawing pictures of events in key sentences of the story. There are exercises to help pick important words from sentences which really look like they will help the student understand key ideas.

Vocabulary includes synonym work and dictionary/thesaurus skills. Toward the 2nd half there are exercises on when to change to new paragraphs including rules and mneumonics to help them remember. This might be normal but I've never seen something like it before and I learned something LOL.

The grammar is pretty robust. My daughter has done Rod & Staff 3 and it will go well beyond that. It definitely goes beyond Classical Writing Aesop territory and into Homer. I'd have to see how much it overlaps but it definitely is more than Aesop - from what I can tell in both grammar and writing.

The writing steps you through rough drafts, editing and final drafts. It allows for creativity after the initial imitation has been achieved but without the need to rewrite the model twice. Just rough and final drafts. And the models are quite inviting.

The TM is very easy to use. It has both homeschool and co-op lesson plans in the same book. It includes grammar games that look like fun. For example in the first lesson you copy a Die Template from the Appendix and make it into a die. Then you role the die and it will come up either 'Statement', 'Command', 'Question' or 'Exclamation'. Then the student has 15 seconds to compose a sentence of that type. There are also helps in the TM to help memorize the key grammar points.

All in all I give this a HUGE thumbs up. Not to mention how much easier language arts will be for us this year. It really is all we need - besides reading of course. I'll probably continue with our spelling workbook because daughter enjoys it and it's very quick, but I don't even think that would be necessary since you use the misspelled words from their rough draft.

I am very pleased.

Heather

~ A Review by Tina Franklin, Hockley, TX
 

~ A Review by KarenFlores on her blog: www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony, October 17, 2006:

My son has a writing program called Writing Tales by Amy Hastings Olsen.  I must say that I was a little nervous teaching my son how to write.  The funny thing is my son loves writing.  This curriculum has turned out to be the family favorite.  Why, you might ask?  One major reason is you know your child likes it when he changes the theme songs of his favorite show to "Writing Tales." If you know the theme song to Veggie Tales, sing this song to the tune:  Writing Taaaales, Writing Taaales, Writing Taaaales, WRITING TALES!!  Whenever it is time to take out the lesson, my two sons sing this in unison.  I know it sounds strange, but you can't make this stuff up.  I never would have thought to sing a song to it.  If you would like, I give you the rest of the verses.  I just want to tell you that that is how much my son loves this writing program. 
Now, my testimony! This program is so user friendly.  Ms. Olsen does an outstanding job of simplifying instructions and directions.  She gives little helps and games in the appendix to get the child engaged in the lessons.  For example, I had to make these cards that said, "Questions, commands, statement, and exclamations."  I would read a type of sentence and my son had to run to the correct card.  My younger son wanted to play.  There are other games, but we got really silly with this one.  I like that in the appendix there is a write up of the story.  I copy it, cut it up, and scramble it and have my son try to put it in order.
On the odd weeks, we read the new story and go over the new grammar lesson.  On the even weeks, it is more of a review of the previous week, but the child can make a few changes to their rewrite of the story.  So, the child gets to add their own creative touch.  The story that I submitted in the previous article is a sample.
Overall, my son likes it because it fun and keeps his interest.  I like it because of the ease to implement the lessons.  It starts off simple, but gets more challenging.  It is definitely a classical approach to writing with a little twist.  It is similar to Classical Writing in some of its ideas.  I would recommend for third grade and up. 

 

~A Comment by Cory Hook, Homeschooling Mother of Six and Co-op Teacher

 

“As far as I’m concerned, Amy’s book is nearly perfect.”

~ A Review by Dorothy in NJ

My son is aliving example of the dramatic benefits of Writing Tales.  Since working through and learning with Writing Tales this school year, he is writing with MUCH greater cohesion, grammatical correctness, and creativity.  He LOOKS FORWARD to writing each rough draft and final copy!  He now thinks writing is fun.  I am so thankful for this excellent text!
 

~ A Review by Sandra in NJ

Writing Tales is fantastic! It has gotten my non-verbal boys excited about writing.  They absolutely can’t wait to write their story each week.  They are learning to write well and are having fun at the same time—a great combination! 
 

~ A Review by Michelle in NJ

I have been privileged to teach a writing class in a homeschooling co-op this year using Writing Tales II.  This curriculum is SO well laid out and easy to follow.  It makes it a joy to teach my class!  The kids come to class each week excited about what they have written. It has been a joy to watch these kids become more confident writers as they have used the steps incorporated in Writing Tales! They are not intimidated by writing but truly enjoying it!  I plan on using Writing Tales I with my own daughter at home next year. Thanks Amy!
 

~A comment from “Oh Elizabeth”, a Homeschooling Mom, on the Well Trained Mind Message Board

WT (Writing Tales) includes lots of games and age-appropriate activities.  There are prompts for creative additions. WT has an extremely user-friendly manual with plans for individual or weekly co-op lessons. WT has vocab, but doesn't try to turn it into your spelling class. (Important if you already have a spelling program you like!) The WT grammar is delightfully presented with some words of explanation, games, etc. that I would not have thought of and that I think will be terrific.

WT's strength is lightening up the tone and making the whole thing more FUN. WT is SO pleasant to implement, clearly laid out, not overwhelming, age-appropriate, and enjoyable. I could go on and on! Look at the samples and see what you think. It's VERY well-done and is so enjoyable! :)    
 

~ A Review by  Marcy Salvatore in NJ

Writing Tales has opened the world of writing to my son, who now has learned to approach writing methodically and creatively.   He can't wait to get to his rough and final drafts and loves polishing them up.   Grammar, punctuation, spelling and outlining make this a thorough, effective and delightful Language Arts Program.