Cindy Downes

Dec. 22, 2007 - Curriculum Review: Jump In

Jump In: A Workbook for Reluctant and Eager Writers by Sharon Watson. I LOVE this book! Finally, a composition course that REALLY teaches your children how to write! Most "Grammar and Composition" courses spend more time on grammar than composition because they are written for classrooms. it's difficult and time consuming to evaluate writing, especially in a class of 20-30 students. As a homeschooling parent, however, you CAN take the time to do this and here is a resource that will help.


Jump In covers all kinds of writing: prewriting, opinion pieces, persuasion, exposition, description, narration, and poetry. Because it's easier for children to write their opinion, the author begins by teaching students how to write an opinion piece and persuasive articles. She takes the student step-by-step, one lesson at a time. She covers: brainstorming to choose a topic, listing reasons why, choosing the right order, and then writing an introduction, body, and conclusion to complete the project. The course is designed to be completed in two years, but it can be used for as short or as long as needed.

Sharon includes writing samples written by her classroom students. She explains the good and bad of each sample and then gives your child an opportunity to critique the sample by answering guided questions.

After each lesson, Sharon includes additional writing assignments for practice and a suggested writing schedule to complete the assignment.

The teacher's manual includes information on how to evaluate and grade your child's writing as well as course objectives, a list of assignments for each category, information on how to help a reluctant writer, 10-minute warmups (She calls them Writing Plunges), and answer keys. By the end of the course, your child will have learned how to write an opinion piece, a persuasive paper, a cause and effect paper, a science report, a biography, a book report, a book review, a newspaper article, an essay, a compare and contrast paper, a description, a short story (narration), and poetry (haiku, cinquain, diamante, limerick, hymn, poem, lyrics to a song).

If I were homeschooling today, this would be one resource I would not do without. Don't buy that traditional "grammar and composition" textbook. Instead, buy this book and a separate resource for teaching grammar, such as Easy Grammar. Teach grammar two days a week; spend the other three days on composition. You'll end up with accomplished writers instead of students who know a lot of grammar but can't write!

Dec. 24, 2007 - hi

Posted by Juliestew
i'm trying to figure out what grade or age this book begins....any help??
Merry Christmas!!!
Julie
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Dec. 24, 2007 - another question

Posted by Juliestew
ok, i'm looking at Easy Grammer too. there seems to be 3 Easy Grammer Grade 4 books. can you look at the CBD website and tell me which ones i need to get??
thanks
julie
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Dec. 24, 2007 - Grades

Posted by EmptyNestMom
Personally, I would begin Jump In at 3rd grade or when my child has mastered handwriting and cursive.

Daily Grams are coded by color and labeled with the grade level on them. Again, I personally would begin teaching grammar about grade 3.
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Dec. 25, 2007 - Sounds good

Posted by momofsix
oh, that looks like one I need to check into. Thanks for sharing.
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