Post by NoRJDont on May 5, 2008 13:08:15 GMT -5
Some background info:
All boys. The 3rd and 8th grader belong to my best friend. I start tutoring them after school...today. They attend public school and their writing is horrific. One of the reasons why there now with me. Her boys will continue to work with me through the summer and we will keep going through the school year. So what ever we start, we can finish.
I'm not so much concerned with the 3rd grader. He can start at the beginning and just go all the way through. It's the 8th grader that worries me.
8th grader: I have no idea of his grammar skills. But, judging by the writing samples I've seen, I'd say nonexistent. I think starting him in Older Beginners would be a HUGE mistake. He can not for a complete thought on paper, and has no concept of a paragraph or how to tie paragraphs together to form an essay.
Then there is my 6th grader. HS'ed since 3rd grade and we've used Rod & Staff grammar the entire time. He has a good understanding of grammar - but doesn't like to write. We skip the writing lessons in R&S and have been working on Writing Strands off and on. So I would call him reluctant. He has been making progress, but he isn't necessarily happy about it.
At this point, since I'll be tutoring & HSing year round, I'm thinking I might as well start them all at Aesop A and let them work through at their own pace. At first I nearly choked because of the expense. But it was no more expensive than any combination I would need for the three of them and the 3rd grader is going to come up through the ranks. I'll need it all for him anyway, right?
I guess the real question is, can I start the 6th & 8th grader from the beginning and just move along as fast as they need to? I mean I'd rather what they get be solid, especially at this point, than try to cover everything. Any thoughts? I appreciate any help or insight anyone is willing to offer.
~M
All boys. The 3rd and 8th grader belong to my best friend. I start tutoring them after school...today. They attend public school and their writing is horrific. One of the reasons why there now with me. Her boys will continue to work with me through the summer and we will keep going through the school year. So what ever we start, we can finish.
I'm not so much concerned with the 3rd grader. He can start at the beginning and just go all the way through. It's the 8th grader that worries me.
8th grader: I have no idea of his grammar skills. But, judging by the writing samples I've seen, I'd say nonexistent. I think starting him in Older Beginners would be a HUGE mistake. He can not for a complete thought on paper, and has no concept of a paragraph or how to tie paragraphs together to form an essay.
Then there is my 6th grader. HS'ed since 3rd grade and we've used Rod & Staff grammar the entire time. He has a good understanding of grammar - but doesn't like to write. We skip the writing lessons in R&S and have been working on Writing Strands off and on. So I would call him reluctant. He has been making progress, but he isn't necessarily happy about it.
At this point, since I'll be tutoring & HSing year round, I'm thinking I might as well start them all at Aesop A and let them work through at their own pace. At first I nearly choked because of the expense. But it was no more expensive than any combination I would need for the three of them and the 3rd grader is going to come up through the ranks. I'll need it all for him anyway, right?
I guess the real question is, can I start the 6th & 8th grader from the beginning and just move along as fast as they need to? I mean I'd rather what they get be solid, especially at this point, than try to cover everything. Any thoughts? I appreciate any help or insight anyone is willing to offer.
~M
