English I is the first in a proposed four-year English series by Write4Homeschool. (English I and II are currently available.) The program consists of two parts: downloadable, online lessons and access to student forums which make it possible for students to receive feedback from other students as well as comment on other students' work.
English I (ninth grade) includes 103 lessons along with student workbook pages and an answer key. The lessons cover eight types of writing (including narrative writing, persuasive essay, expository report, and poetry), literature and literary analysis, and grammar. Each lesson is written to the student in a friendly yet not overly casual style. Homework assignments and appropriate worksheets are included. Assignments include both reading and writing. There is a wonderful variety in the lessons, both in the types of assignments and in the material covered; students will find it interesting yet very thorough.
The second component, the student forums, sets this class apart from others. While there are no class meetings, students periodically answer questions on the forum for their homework assignments. They may be thought questions about the reading, such as "What do you think about the author's style of writing?" Or they may be asked to share writing ideas, such as "Post your idea for a short story." Students may also be directed to read the other posts and comment on one or two. This is a creative way to foster interaction and discussion without the time constraints of class meetings. The teacher leaves an encouraging comment to all posters, making the forum personal and allowing the student to get to know the teacher better.
The lesson downloads alone (along with workbook and key) are available to download for $100; for access to the forums and teacher guidance, the cost is $200.
Write4Homeschool has produced a first-class, easy-to-use, thorough English program that requires virtually no prep time for the homeschooling parent. After printing the lessons, students just pick them up and go.
Online classes for homeschoolers are growing more and more popular. In the high school years, many teens desire discussion with other students, or parents may feel the need for their students to receive feedback from a non-family member. However, the cost, technology, and time commitment can be prohibitive for some. Write4Homeschool has come up with a way to conduct an online class in a way that is user-friendly, less expensive, and still interactive. Considering that live online classes typically cost $400-500 for a full year, Write4Homeschool's classes are a great bargain at $200. Because the lessons are so well done and thorough (and remove almost all planning from the teacher), they alone are well worth $100.
Product review by Jennifer Loucks, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, August 2008
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