homeschoolers - recommendations for vocabulary and writing

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I've been using Wordly Wise for vocabulary and not much for creative writing. Any recommendations for books in these areas for a 7th grader? Has anybody used the "Vocabulary From Classical Roots" series? Thanks for suggestions.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), April 20, 2002

Answers

Christina -- Comprehensive Composition by Kathryn Stout is a good one. Also the Writing Strands books by Dave Marks. For vocabularly, English From the Roots Up is great -- it teaches from the point of Latin & Greek roots, so also provides a good grounding for later Latin studies.

Hope this helps.

-- Tracy (trimmer31@hotmail.com), April 20, 2002.


How about a good dictionary? And a resource book or 2 with the grammer to referance?

-- Novina in ND (homespun@stellarnet.com), April 22, 2002.

I wouldn't use any textbooks at all on these subjects. Get your 7th grader to read lots of classic children's books - he/she should be ready to deal with Jules Verne, easy Dickens, Alcott, Twain, Wells, Bronte, etc... These have a vocabulary not seen in most contemporary kids books, and will make them stop to look things up. Vocabulary lists mostly don't stick - seeing the words used in context does. And there is no such thing as a good creative writing textbook - creative writing is something your child does, and his/her imagination is sparked by reading a lot of other things. If you want them to write, require it, and get them to put pen to paper on a daily basis. Tell them that they are expected to use 4 new words in each composition, and to use the dictionary and thesaurus. Get them writing, and reading, and these things will never be an issue.

-- Sharon in NY (astyk@brandeis.edu), April 22, 2002.

yes i have used "vocabulay from classical roots"...very good, very helpful. i recommend it!!!

-- C (punk_chicadee@yahoo.com), April 22, 2002.

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