Can you share info on which progym programs you're using...
and how they're working for you? What made you choose program A over program B?
I have Classical Composition, but I think I'm needing more direction on how to conduct the lessons. Tbh, I'm still a bit stuck on recognition (among other things). I mean, I seem to understand it, but I'm obviously missing some other less obvious examples of it through my reading. I'm probably not making much sense. In any case, someone at another board felt that I should probably get my hands on "Composition in the Classical Tradition" for further help understanding the progym exercises, but I just can't afford another purchase right now. I am wondering if I should purchase it for next year, or should I just try another program with more teacher helps.
TIA!
Patty
Thank you! I'd love to be
Thank you!
I'd love to be able to use Classical Composition, but It's getting increasingly obvious that I'll be needing some more direction.
Would you know how Writing Tales compares to CW? Just curious. ;)
TIA!
Patty
We're using CC
Hi Patty,
I am a beginner at CC. I am using it with my older beginner...8th grade. We just finished the 1st Fable lesson this week. I was also a bit unsure of the recognition (among other things, as you said) but I was hoping that it will become more clear as we continue on. I joined their Yahoo Group but it appears to be defunct. I was very disappointed, as I really wanted to bounce things off of the other people. There doesn't seem to be much support for those of us attempting the progym? Don't know if it's because there simply aren't many people using it or what.
How far into the CC have you gone? I guess I am looking to know if you are further into the program than we are...are things becoming clearer and pulling together or no?
My daughter struggled a bit, as the concepts are completely new and different from other methods of writing. But, I'll have to say, it wasn't horrible and she really did very well, considering how strange it all was to her..and me! I do believe the next lesson will be easier, as the lesson is identical to the first one.
I chose CC over CW, as CW appears more cluttered for my older child who simply needs writing instruction at this point. I was tempted to buy CW, as it does appear (from the website, anyway) to have more detailed instruction for the teacher. But I didn't want to be bogged down with the grammar and other instruction for her at this point.
Now, I have a younger child that I may choose to use CW with, as he has had no formal grammar at this point. He is, however, studying Latin and we will begin Greek soon. I am not sure he needs formal English Grammar instruction with him studying those languages, so I'll have to look deeper into it when the time comes.
What caused you to use CC?
Thanks,
Kelli
Hi Kelli
I'm not much farther into it than you are, except that I've read ahead, and have found that I'll still be having the same problems down the road. It's like I think I understand certain points, yet when I try to find examples of say...recognition on my own, I find (after referencing the TG) that I've missed a few examples. I've also had trouble with the outlining, etc. Really, I just need more help because I'm obviously missing *something*. I'd really like to understand the method better, so as to improve my ability to teach using these materials. With the outlining, I find that when I approach it independently, it looks fairly different than the samples in the book...and this makes me wonder if I'm doing things incorrectly. I'm worried about departing too far from the outline samples given in the book. In short, I'm just not confident in my ability to teach with this program. My dd, btw, is 10, and is a reluctant writer.
I initially chose CC over CW because it was just a writing program and I wasn't looking for anything too involved. We already had a grammar program, etc. We do use WRTR, and from what I have gathered, CW uses the WRTR marking system for spelling as well, so that wouldn't be a big stretch for me. I assumed that CC would offer more helps, and I have been disappointed that it hasn't. My dd is confused over all of the different figures of description, and I was unsure if I should even introduce these terms to her, or whether they were only for me as the instructor. I suppose I could just use the program, but I'd be unsure of myself the whole time, and that wouldn't make for a good or thorough lesson, imo. I think that that's basically it. I could probably make my way through this program, but I don't feel like I could get the most of it if I'm constantly second guessing how well I understand it all.
Patty
two ideas
HI Patty,
My first thought is that the figures of description are listed in the back of the student book the same as they are the teacher's manual. I would assume, then, that the child is responsible for looking up any that they don't understand fully.
Secondly, I had emailed Mr. Selby a while back asking him about the program. He wasn't quick in responding, but he did respond with an invitation to please contact him with further questions or for further explanation of using the program. You may wish to email him with your concerns before ditching the program altogether?
If I recall, I think I emailed him asking if he gave specific instruction on how to teach outlining to the child. I believe he said no, but since almost all of the exercises in the Fable book are virtually identical, he assured me that the child would catch on down the road.
I, also, don't come up with the same "answer" of recognition or identical versions of the outline. I honestly don't know if it matters exactly. I have told my daughter that the outliing is for her use when re-writing the story. Unless I'm told differently, I am allowing her to come up with her own version of the outline as long as she is able to accurately reproduce the story from it.
Like I said, we've only done the one lesson in entirety. On Monday I will let her look at the outline, all the examples, etc..to that first lesson to study before beginning the second lesson. I didn't want her to look at the completed outline before hand because I didn't want her to attempt to recreate the 'answer' but to rely on herself to come up with her personal best.
We'll see!
Kelli
Progym
We are using Imitation in Writing from the Logos School. I looked at Classical Composition, but I preferred Imitation in Writing. I have only used book #1, Aesop's Fables. Each lesson is on one page. My son reads the fable. There is a place for him to write down who the main characters are and to define four vocabulary words. Then there are numbered lines, which correspond to the sentences in the fable, for him to write an outline of the fable. We can then detach the outline for him to write his own version of the fable. I have a limited understanding of the progym, I believe this may be a very simplified form. However, for us it is working very well. My son's writing has really started to blossom.
Blessings,
Lisa
We use Classical Writing
If you buy the workbooks and teacher's guides, you have plenty of helps and step-by-step instruction. It would mean another purchase, but it's an excellent program.