Our ground-breaking Writing With Skill series teaches middle and early high school students the skills they need for academic and workplace writing, including outlining, research, citation, and the construction of full-length essays in history, literature, science, and other subjects. It combines time-tested classical techniques - the imitation and analysis of great writers - with original composition.
Straightforward and detailed explanations on constructing and organizing compositions prepare students for high-level rhetoric and composition. Scripted dialogue is provided, along with detailed guidance on evaluating written work.
What materials do I need to teach Writing With Skill?
- You will need an Instructor Book and a corresponding Student Workbook for each level. The books are available in PDF or paperback format.
- All source material is provided in the Student Workbook; no other books are needed.
How do I know which level to start?
- Every student should start with Level 1, even older students. Progress through the series in order from Levels 1-3.
- Each level is a step-by-step guide that builds on the previous instruction of the level before it, so they should be used sequentially.
- To learn about some options for using the curriculum at a different pace or with a student who got a later start, check out Susan Wise Bauer's recommendations. In this article, you will find a chart showing different scenarios, which is helpful if your student is "out of synch" with typical pathways. She also provides further recommendations for middle and high school writing.
Should I begin Writing With Skill after finishing Writing With Ease? Is Fifth Grade too young?
- Here is Susan Wise Bauer's advice: " Although it is the next logical step after Writing With Ease in the student’s writing development, it doesn’t necessarily have to be completed immediately after the Writing With Ease series. In fact, most students seem to benefit from a year or more of writing across the curriculum or using another writing program. This additional maturity reduces frustration levels, makes the texts used in Writing With Skill more accessible, and still gets the student ready for rhetoric in plenty of time.
What writing skills are taught in each of the Levels?
- Level 1 teaches one and two-level outlining. Levels 2 and 3 also incorporate three-level outlining.
- All levels include writing instruction in chronological narratives, biographical sketches, descriptions, and sequences across the curriculum, as well as constructing basic and critical literary essays on fiction and poetry and researching and documenting source material.
- For additional detailed information, take a look at the Scope and Sequence for Writing with Skill.
Is grammar instruction included in Writing with Skill?
- No, grammar instruction is not included, but Well-Trained Mind Press offers Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind for the intermediate student.
- You can use any vendor's grammar curriculum with Writing With Skill.
How can I get student materials for classroom use?
- To learn about licensing right to distribute consumable student materials in a classroom setting. check out this article.