Which composition?? Advice please!!

[court]

my son is 13 and will be 14 in April. He has done mo full core up to about 6th grade. He did the fables and narrative for composition. Then we stoop in our tracks and did classical conversations for a year and a half. He did one year of IEW and half a year of Lost Tools of Writing( which didn’t work well for us). We made a move across the country and I needed something to get by for 7th grade. That brings us to last year when we just chucked it all and did BJU Press for a year which brings me to right now.

I’d like to get him back on a good writing track. Where would you suggest placing him in composition? I loved MP in the past and need to clean up my messy tracks. All my younger kids are doing MP but my oldest has been the guinea pig sorry to say. Thanks for your help and sorry for all this information!! But I do need some advice. Thank you!!

[KF2000]

Hi Courtney!

Thanks for the picture of your son! I think two things will be essential for you going forward:

1). Get back on track with CC
2). Get some lit guides under your belt.

Both of these will go a long way for high school writing work.

Since he did Fable and Narrative when he was younger, I think it would be fine to just pull out Narrative right now (if you still have it - if not, pick it up for this spring semester) and work your way through six or seven lessons this spring. Don’t expect fireworks, don’t expect gloriously written things. Just get back on track with following the steps every day. I would really suggest making it an every day thing. Any time you fall off a wagon, you need even greater accountability to stay on that wagon going forward. Having it to do in small chunks every day will be more reliable for you than saving it for a big chunk once a week.

Then, strive to do Level III next year - either on your own with the DVD’s, or with MPOA - whatever you can afford that again will keep you honest about getting it done.

Then, also do lit guides!!!! And have him write everything in them. Seriously. At this age, he needs it. Go at whatever pace he needs to but don’t give him any easy way outs. If he balked at it, hold strong and be tough. He seriously will get over it in three months when it’s a nonissue and he realizes he can do it. If he needs a compromise, let him pick the books. But don’t give him any passes on the writing. Two books for the spring/summer will be a huge help.

That gets you going again right now, and you can pick up the year in August with a normal pattern of one level of composition and one grade package of literature. The most important parts of CC are covered in levels 1-5, which is a realistic goal to get through given the time you have. You can probably even still get the upper levels done in late high school because you don’t need to spend a full semester on each. You’ve got plenty of time!!!!

AMDG,
Sarah

[court]

Okay. Thank you Sarah! I was hoping you’d weigh in! Thank you! I will definitely do what you have said. It makes sense! As far as lit guides, how many is doable for a semester? Maybe 2? My son loves to read and of course hates to answer the questions . It sounds like you know that age well!! The argumentative stage is here!!

okay, I just saw that you suggested two books! Thanks for your help!!!

[KF2000]

Super - glad to help. Will also say, since he’s getting back going at this, I would pick books from grade 7 or below for now. These keep the books at a pretty normal reading level for his age so he can focus on making good responses, and he will have some time before he gets to the advanced style of lit guides for high school.

AMDG,
Sarah

[court]

I went ahead and ordered cc narrative student book( couldn’t find our old book). I got 2 lit books, geography III and grammar IV. This we will do this semester! I’m due with baby #8, so we’ll get started as soon as this baby comes! Thanks for your help!

[KF2000]

Hey, Congratulations on the new little one! That’s so exciting and wonderful

I read a post once that has always stuck with me - that you never have as many children as you end up wanting. And it’s so true...each one is so beautiful and wonderful. Prayers for you and your family!

AMDG,
Sarah

[court]

Thank you Sarah! That saying is so true! I love it! Baby Dollie arrived this morning and we are in love. It never gets old! What a special gift from God. I’m amazed and in awe of His handiwork!

[KF2000]

Praise God! How wonderful!

Enjoy your baby moon!

AMDG,
Sarah

[tanya]

Congratulations!!!

Tanya