Writing Strands

by Heather
(Sachse, Tx USA)

I have been using Writing Strands this school year 2010-11 with my son. He has balked at other programs that I tried with him, but he does not fight me when we begin our lessons with this. I do not know if it is the simple way that they address him as being in charge and responsible, or if it is that he is older and more confident, but this program is working for us and I am glad to have found it.

The lessons are easily followed by all (if they are able to read) and my son likes taking charge, so I give him his assignment and he finishes them without a fight. I could say that there are things I'd like to change, but he is FINALLY writing, and I'd not change that for anything!

Writing Strands

by Sheri
(Auburn Hills, MI, USA)

Product: Writing Strands
Subject: Creative Writing
Levels Used: 1 through 7
Dates Used: 1992? to 2009

Likes:Very well laid out. He has 'strands' of writing and he develops the different methods of writing over the course of his programs. His lessons are funny and engaging for the students. He allows 'wiggle room' for the student and parent to customize each lesson just for them.

I met the author of this program in 1992 and he admitted it was not a grammar program but would teach the student how to formulate very good sentences. It is true.

Two of my graduated children went on to take some college courses; their creative writing classes only confirmed for them how well-prepared they were for writing essays, letters, short stories, poetry, and outlines.

Dislikes: My children didn't necessarily agree with me that it was such a marvelous program. But, since they had nothing else by which to compare, I suppose they can be 'forgiven' for griping about all the writing assignments over the years.

There can be a lot of writing in the higher levels but my children were doing the work on the computer by then so they didn't suffer from writers cramp too often!

Writing Strands

by Amanda

We used Writing Strands 2. We never completed this book because we didn't like the style. My daughter also found the exercises quite tedious and boring. This program just didn't fit with our family.