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Post by Lene Mahler Jaqua on Sept 13, 2007 15:34:37 GMT -5
This is a typical sequence for a classical writing study.
grades 3 - 4: Aesop -- beginning narrative writing. Rewriting short fables.
grades 5 - 6: Homer -- narrative writing with longer stories, rearranging the chronological arrangement of the stories.
grades 7 - 8: Diogenes -- expository writing, explaining why something is wise, good, just kind, right, wrong. We cover the five paragraph essay, basic paragraph writing, outlining, and how to generate thesis statements.
grade 9: Herodotus -- argumentative writing, arguing for an against an issue, learning to generate proper arguments for and against an issue using the rhetorical topics of invention. (Also learning to employ both pathos and appeal to reason to persuade the audience).
grade 10: Plutarch -- descriptive writing, learning to describe (praise and blame) persons, places, things, and ideas. This book builds on and enhances the skills learned in grade 9 with argumentative writing, adding description as means of persuasion.
grade 11 and 12: Demosthenes -- thesis and research paper writing.
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Post by coyotescall on Jan 4, 2008 15:04:29 GMT -5
My daughter, 11 yrs., is close to finishing up Clas. Writ. Aesops-A. She does very well at retelling and writing up her own narration. Even though I have not directly worked on punctuation a lot, she does quite well . We have not previously used any formal grammar program, though she does like to diagram...the little we have done. Her spelling on the other have is well...definitely not 6th grade level. She has improved, but really this is the main item she has to work (and work) on in her rewrites. I'm wondering where to move her from here. Aesops-B? Older beginners? Homer? As I said, she writes and retells really pretty well, if you overlook her spelling She also is not afraid to write. She does NOT know all parts of speech. Should I start Harveys?? Could we even do poetry? Beginning? If we do Poetry, I have a third grader...NOT reading, spelling etc. much. Would she be able to benefit from the Poetry at all?? (Well, of course listening to it, I'm sure would be great!) Thank you for your help! Catherine
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Post by greengables on Jan 5, 2008 13:36:27 GMT -5
Catherine, I would probably be inclined to continue with Aesop B or start her with Homer A and Harveys since she'll need a foundation in grammar. At her age, Homer A would probably be just fine. I would probably save Poetry A until she's at least halfway through Homer A. Your younger daughter will be more ready to join in at that point as well, although some of it will need to be modified or skipped for her. Aesop & Homer for Older Beginners moves very quickly, and really is best for middle school age and up. I also suggest from sad personal experience that you continue to work on spelling proficiency. Phonics rules, drill, make up spelling lists from her misspelled words but also, use a sequential phonics program to review/learn and apply the rules. Poor spelling can be a real handicap in later years, and now is a good time to work on that. I hope that helps! Kathy
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Post by coyotescall on Jan 5, 2008 13:48:45 GMT -5
Yes, Kathy. That's helps- thanks so much! Catherine
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