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Post by hiddenjewel on Feb 1, 2009 23:43:22 GMT -5
Are the writing projects in Diogenes more clear cut than in the Homer OB workbook? I love a lot about CW but really struggle with even knowing how to correct the writing assignments. Days 2-4 are really the part that I like about Homer OB and they are very helpful in improving writing. But I haven't really been able to implement Day 1 and the writing project effectively. Fortunately, my dd who is doing it is very intuitive and has figured it out on her own. But I feel like I am failing her on the writing end although she is a bit of a natural writer.
So I would love to continue with CW Diogenes because I love the analysis and imitation work. But she will be in 9th grade and I really need her to have essays down solid by the end of the year. And if the Diogenes writing projects aren't straight forward, I'm concerned that that will not happen.
Is it possible to just have the writing projects evaluated without being part of the online tutorial? If so, what is the cost? Would it be per project? I can handle overseeing the other work. I just feel really lost to know if she is properly doing the writing projects.
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Post by Lene Mahler Jaqua on Feb 2, 2009 10:59:38 GMT -5
In order to answer your question adequately, I have to understand what you mean by saying that the Homer Writing Projects are not 'clear cut'.
All our writing projects come with explicit instruction on how to outline, what the content of each paragraph should be as well as with editing check lists on how to macro -and -micro edit the writing project after it is done.
What precisely are you missing in the Homer Writing projects that could be put in writing so that you would find them easier to asses in terms of helping your student improve?
Or, if you don't know how to answer this [which would be understandable] at what point of the writing project and on what sorts of issues do you feel that you are not able to guide her well enough?
The main difference between Homer and Diogenes is that in Homer the student is telling 'narratives' and in Diogenes the student is writing essays explaining a concept, an idea, or a virtue.
Lene
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Post by hiddenjewel on Feb 2, 2009 11:54:28 GMT -5
I find it much easier to guide a student with essay material than with a story. So perhaps that is where the lostness comes with Homer. Because Homer does have specific instructions and I didn't mean my post as a slam. I am just having trouble wrapping my head around why I am having so much trouble and am concerned about moving onto Diogenes if I can't adequately guide her. Funds are limited or I would utilize your online tutorials.
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Post by Lene Mahler Jaqua on Feb 3, 2009 15:42:10 GMT -5
I understand, and I certainly did not take your post as a slam. If it's a struggle for you, it's a struggle and it's real. My guess would be that you would find the essays easier to give instruction in than the narrative writing. Narrative writing is often a matter of both taste and that ubiquitous word "Feel" which is a 5th sense for how it ought to flow so it's convincing and interesting both. Most of us don't have the skill of a J R R Tolkien, and while we can appreciate a good story written by a good writer, we may not be able to criticize a story that could use a slight lift, even if we sense that it is not well written. We may not even be able to put our finger on why Tolkien is well written and Pony Pals are not. We just 'know' it is so. So in that sense I 'feel your pain' [if I dare borrow that from Bill Clinton  ], but I suspect given your awareness of your shortcomings in this area that you are probably better than most and just more aware of where you're not so good at it. But that aside, for Diogenes, look at the samples on the web page, the pdf previews. And if you want more of a preview, email me classicalwriting@att.net and I will provide you with more previews of what you need to decide whether you want to pursue this route or not. Lene |
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Post by hiddenjewel on Feb 3, 2009 15:47:35 GMT -5
Narrative writing is often a matter of both taste and that ubiquitous word "Feel" which is a 5th sense for how it ought to flow so it's convincing and interesting both.
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This is exactly the issue. I can read my dd's rewrites and know if it sounds good (which is usually does). But as far as what to do with it further, I'm not so good. So if it flows well and accomplishes what I feel the lesson was about, then I leave it at that. And having identified what I think my struggle is helps immensely.
I will take another look at the Diogenes samples and email you.
Thanks.
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