Comments & Reviews

Check out the TOS Crew reviews of Writing Tales here!

 

~A Review by a satisfied Co-op Mother

Amy, your Writing Tales books are magnificent! WT2 made a huge impact on my son's ability in writing and literature analysis. His spelling improved dramatically, his grammar lights went on, his sentence structure came together and, best of all, his interest in writing took off.

~ A Review by Julie Kovach of TEACH Magazine

For a while now, I have been interested in teaching my children to write by using the Progymnasmata. The Progymnasmata is a series of composition exercises used by the ancients and is based on the idea that writing is best learned by copying a high quality model. After doing some research, I purchased a writing program based on the Progymnasmata, and gave it a try. It was NOT a success. The program we used seemed to assume that the user was an expert at teaching these exercises, and therefore provided very little instruction and teacher support. I finally gave up because it was just too confusing!

I was still convinced that this approach to writing was a good one, however, and was on the lookout for a more usable program when I heard about Writing Tales, which seemed to be just what I was looking for. We have been using it for five or six months so far, and I have not been disappointed. Levels 1 and 2, which are the only two levels currently available, are based on the first level of the progymnasmata, Fable. (The author admits that she does stray from the strict use of the Progymnasmata, in that she allows in students, after doing a strict retelling of the fable, to embellish their story with some of their own creative touches, without actually changing any major details of the story). Students focus on learning the mechanics of the English language through the process of studying, copying, narrating,  and rewriting classic fables and legends (the eight parts of speech, capitalization, punctuation, quotations, vocabulary, spelling, and dictionary skills are covered). No additional grammar program is needed in Level 1; students get plenty of practice while completing the grammar exercises and playing a variety of fun games. Using an additional grammar program with Level 2 is recommended by the author, but many parents may think that this level contains enough grammar practice and instruction as it is.

This program is so easy to use. Lesson plans for both home and co-op setting are laid out very clearly in the Teacher’s manual, and no preplanning is necessary, at least for the parent teaching the program at home. In Level 1, which is written for 3^rd and 4^th graders, each day’s lesson is fairly brief and not at all overwhelming. We spend approximately 10-15 minutes per day at this level, with more time spent on the day that my son rewrites the fable. In Level 2, which is written for 4^th and 5^th graders, the lessons are longer, a bit more in-depth and basic outlining is introduced.

The child I am using this program with has never enjoyed writing of any kind before, but I have seen his interest in writing perk up since we have started using Writing Tales. He has even recently begun to write a short story on his own initiative—something that would never have happened in the past. Not only is he more interested in writing, the quality of his writing has definitely improved as well.  Please don’t think that only those who are interested in the Progymnasmata should consider using this program; it is a terrific program, and will give a solid start in writing to any student using it.

http://www.teachmagazine.com/new/Product_Reviews/reviews.php?rid=108

~An excerpt of a Review by Jean Hall of EclecticHomeschool.org

I can’t tell you how excited I am about Writing Tales: Lessons in Composition and Language Arts in the Classical Style. Oh, that’s right! That’s why you’re reading this!...

The author’s tone is conversational; the stories are those I’ve found through experience to be interesting to elementary-aged students. The print is large and friendly, with generous space for a student to write. Editing checklists are provided for the writing exercises. I really like the way later lessons review and build on concepts from earlier lessons; this is especially evident in the writing/editing checklists. “Lesson One's” checklist has the student making sure that all words are spelled correctly and making sure that sentences are complete sentences with appropriate punctuation. A checklist from later in the book incorporates the grammar instruction that has gone on before, including use of quotes and quotation marks, adjectives, and adverbs.

The student writing assignment in each lesson provides the material for writing (the story) along with suggestions for the student's writing. Directions for writing the rough draft for the lesson include encouragement along with simple instructions. The author tells the student to re-tell the story in his or her own words (a form of narration) and gives pointers and reminders. (“Try to show the excitement of the Town Mouse and the calm of the Country Mouse with the words that you choose” or “Choose your own adjectives to describe the garden where the boys were standing...” or “Show how hard it was for the Cat to pull the hot chestnuts out of the fire” or even “Don’t forget how angry the wife was when the king let her cakes burn!”)...

In the Teacher’s Guide you’ll find background information and lesson plans for homeschool or co-op use as well as group activities, games, and reproducibles. I’d highly recommend using this Student Workbook with the Teacher’s Guide, otherwise you’d be missing quite a bit of good stuff...

Writing Tales is a wonderful all-in-one resource, whether you are homeschooling one child or teaching a number of third and fourth-graders in a co-op class. It is the sort of language arts curriculum we’ve been doing on our own, except that here it’s all laid out with little or no planning needed on my part, and the author has thought of things that I sometimes overlook due to interruptions or busyness. The planning has already been done, all the way through the year, and the lessons use interesting material for their basis. We can be consistent in our approach to language arts and writing, and not worry about gaps or being too hit-or-miss in our studies.

Now can you see why I’m excited about Writing Tales?

Ms. Hall has reviewed each one of the Writing Tales books in detail; read each one of the reviews in full at the Eclectic Homeschool website: 

Level One Workbook:
Level One Teacher’s Guide:

Level Two Workbook:
Level Two Teacher’s Guide:

~ A Review by “Heather in VA” on the Well Trained Mind Message Board on Aug. 22, 2007

My initial thoughts of Writing Tales Level 2:

I've spent the last couple of days going over this and I am very impressed. I have not used Level 1 and nearly didn't look at Level 2 because Level 1 just wasn't quite right for my daughter but now I realize it was because she's ready for this level.

Each model takes 2 weeks so you have a total of 15 models over 30 lessons. That gives you some cushion to adjust as needed, especially if you need more time for a writing assignment. The exercises are very clear and include story ordering, copywork, vocabulary, spelling practice (using words spelled incorrectly in their rough drafts), outlining and grammar.

I especially love the outlining. She approaches this in various ways including drawing pictures of events in key sentences of the story. There are exercises to help pick important words from sentences which really look like they will help the student understand key ideas.

Vocabulary includes synonym work and dictionary/thesaurus skills. Toward the 2nd half there are exercises on when to change to new paragraphs including rules and mneumonics to help them remember. This might be normal but I've never seen something like it before and I learned something LOL.

The grammar is pretty robust. My daughter has done Rod & Staff 3 and it will go well beyond that. It definitely goes beyond Classical Writing Aesop territory and into Homer. I'd have to see how much it overlaps but it definitely is more than Aesop - from what I can tell in both grammar and writing.

The writing steps you through rough drafts, editing and final drafts. It allows for creativity after the initial imitation has been achieved but without the need to rewrite the model twice. Just rough and final drafts. And the models are quite inviting.

The TM is very easy to use. It has both homeschool and co-op lesson plans in the same book. It includes grammar games that look like fun. For example in the first lesson you copy a Die Template from the Appendix and make it into a die. Then you role the die and it will come up either 'Statement', 'Command', 'Question' or 'Exclamation'. Then the student has 15 seconds to compose a sentence of that type. There are also helps in the TM to help memorize the key grammar points.

All in all I give this a HUGE thumbs up. Not to mention how much easier language arts will be for us this year. It really is all we need - besides reading of course. I'll probably continue with our spelling workbook because daughter enjoys it and it's very quick, but I don't even think that would be necessary since you use the misspelled words from their rough draft.

I am very pleased.

Heather

~ A Review by Tina Franklin, Hockley, TX
 

~ A Review by KarenFlores on her blog: www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony, October 17, 2006:

My son has a writing program called Writing Tales by Amy Hastings Olsen.  I must say that I was a little nervous teaching my son how to write.  The funny thing is my son loves writing.  This curriculum has turned out to be the family favorite.  Why, you might ask?  One major reason is you know your child likes it when he changes the theme songs of his favorite show to "Writing Tales." If you know the theme song to Veggie Tales, sing this song to the tune:  Writing Taaaales, Writing Taaales, Writing Taaaales, WRITING TALES!!  Whenever it is time to take out the lesson, my two sons sing this in unison.  I know it sounds strange, but you can't make this stuff up.  I never would have thought to sing a song to it.  If you would like, I give you the rest of the verses.  I just want to tell you that that is how much my son loves this writing program. 
Now, my testimony! This program is so user friendly.  Ms. Olsen does an outstanding job of simplifying instructions and directions.  She gives little helps and games in the appendix to get the child engaged in the lessons.  For example, I had to make these cards that said, "Questions, commands, statement, and exclamations."  I would read a type of sentence and my son had to run to the correct card.  My younger son wanted to play.  There are other games, but we got really silly with this one.  I like that in the appendix there is a write up of the story.  I copy it, cut it up, and scramble it and have my son try to put it in order.
On the odd weeks, we read the new story and go over the new grammar lesson.  On the even weeks, it is more of a review of the previous week, but the child can make a few changes to their rewrite of the story.  So, the child gets to add their own creative touch.  The story that I submitted in the previous article is a sample.
Overall, my son likes it because it fun and keeps his interest.  I like it because of the ease to implement the lessons.  It starts off simple, but gets more challenging.  It is definitely a classical approach to writing with a little twist.  It is similar to Classical Writing in some of its ideas.  I would recommend for third grade and up. 

 

~A Comment by Cory Hook, Homeschooling Mother of Six and Co-op Teacher

 

“As far as I’m concerned, Amy’s book is nearly perfect.”

~ A Review by Dorothy in NJ

My son is aliving example of the dramatic benefits of Writing Tales.  Since working through and learning with Writing Tales this school year, he is writing with MUCH greater cohesion, grammatical correctness, and creativity.  He LOOKS FORWARD to writing each rough draft and final copy!  He now thinks writing is fun.  I am so thankful for this excellent text!
 

~ A Review by Sandra in NJ

Writing Tales is fantastic! It has gotten my non-verbal boys excited about writing.  They absolutely can’t wait to write their story each week.  They are learning to write well and are having fun at the same time—a great combination! 
 

~ A Review by Michelle in NJ

I have been privileged to teach a writing class in a homeschooling co-op this year using Writing Tales II.  This curriculum is SO well laid out and easy to follow.  It makes it a joy to teach my class!  The kids come to class each week excited about what they have written. It has been a joy to watch these kids become more confident writers as they have used the steps incorporated in Writing Tales! They are not intimidated by writing but truly enjoying it!  I plan on using Writing Tales I with my own daughter at home next year. Thanks Amy!
 

~A comment from “Oh Elizabeth”, a Homeschooling Mom, on the Well Trained Mind Message Board

WT (Writing Tales) includes lots of games and age-appropriate activities.  There are prompts for creative additions. WT has an extremely user-friendly manual with plans for individual or weekly co-op lessons. WT has vocab, but doesn't try to turn it into your spelling class. (Important if you already have a spelling program you like!) The WT grammar is delightfully presented with some words of explanation, games, etc. that I would not have thought of and that I think will be terrific.

WT's strength is lightening up the tone and making the whole thing more FUN. WT is SO pleasant to implement, clearly laid out, not overwhelming, age-appropriate, and enjoyable. I could go on and on! Look at the samples and see what you think. It's VERY well-done and is so enjoyable! :)    
 

~ A Review by  Marcy Salvatore in NJ

Writing Tales has opened the world of writing to my son, who now has learned to approach writing methodically and creatively.   He can't wait to get to his rough and final drafts and loves polishing them up.   Grammar, punctuation, spelling and outlining make this a thorough, effective and delightful Language Arts Program.