homeschool essay writing

Complete Guide to Homeschool Writing Curriculum for Every Budget and Age

Looking for a homeschool writing curriculum that will educate and motivate your child to write with excellence?

It can be a hard road, Homeschool Mama!

Writing is one of the three core subjects (reading and math are the other two) that form the basis of a solid education – which is why it can be so stressful for the homeschooling parent!

We feel the pressure to develop strong writers, but we also want our kids to love writing. It can be hard to achieve both of those things.

Blessedly, there is a mountain of homeschool writing curriculum out there that can fit any homeschool style, education philosophy, budget, and family size!

This blog post is going to be your complete guide to the 12 best and most loved homeschool writing curriculums on the market.

Think of it as a one-stop-shop to explore curriculum you’ve heard of but don’t know that much about – or to discover new curriculum that is just right for your homeschool!

Enjoy and happy homeschooling!

Ultimate Guide To The 12 Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum Options

Below I have provided quick reference information for each curriculum in terms of grade level, materials needed, price, and details. 

Price is for new curriculum and according to prices available to me as I write this. 

1. IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing)

For Grades : 1st grade – 12th

What You Need : Teacher’s Guide and Student Book

Price : $55

Details About IEW:

This was the first homeschool writing curriculum that we tried, and I think it truly set an excellent foundation for my then 3rd grader. 

Our co-op at the time taught it every year, but I sat down and did the actual lessons and writing with her during the week. 

I loved that it did such a thorough job teaching kids how to put a keyword outline together for a structured, low-stress writing experience. As a writer myself, I understand how important an outline is to keep you organized and productive!

IEW is also very big on teaching vocabulary words and encouraging students to use more “interesting words” in their writing. To this day, my daughter still includes lots of adjectives and “strong verbs” in her writing because of her experience with IEW. She also carefully avoids using the “banned words” like “big” and “good” – why use those words when there are so many other more descriptive and colorful word choices out there!

Another fun part of IEW is that you can choose what theme you want your child to use for the year. For example, grades 3-5 can pick from “ Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales ,” “ Bible Heroes ,” “ Ancient History ,” or” All Things Fun and Fascinating .”

If you are looking to build a strong foundation in writing, I would recommend IEW for an excellent beginning. It was easy to teach, reasonably priced (definitely use the above links to check for used prices on Amazon), and solid.

I have not used the higher levels, but I have often heard it discussed as the gold standard for homeschool writing. 

Keep in mind that the IEW grammar program is sold separately.

2. BJU Writing & Grammar

What You Need : Teacher’s Guide and Student Workbook

Price : $110

Details About BJU Grammar and Writing:

BJU Writing & Grammar is the next writing program we tried. When our co-op shut down for the pandemic, I realized I was on my own for teaching writing.

We shifted gears to BJU Press because it bundled together grammar and writing, which would be a big time saver. 

My favorite thing about this homeschool writing curriculum is that it teaches the writing process perfectly. My then 4th grader learned the steps of Planning, Drafting, Revising, Editing, and Publishing – steps that she still uses today.

I loved that my kid was being taught to draft an entire piece in one day and that it didn’t need to be perfect! She could just pour out her thoughts on paper or “make the dough” as we called it. And then we would shape the dough during revising and editing later in the week.

This helped very much with her paralysis with writing, because she felt overwhelmed with it being perfect. 

She still uses these writing process steps for her writing today and I even still make her editing checklists similar to what the book had so she can edit her own work. 

I would strongly recommend BJU Grammar and Writing for strong grammar, time-saving, and high-quality writing.

3. Writing With Ease/Writing With Skill

For Grades : 1st – 12th

What You Need to Buy : Writing With Ease (elementary level) only requires a student workbook. Writing With Skill will require a student workbook and Instructor Text (teacher’s guide).

Price : $25 – $50

Details About Writing With Ease and Writing With Skill:

I love this super gentle writing curriculum from A Well Trained Mind and written by Susan Wise Bauer. 

I am on my second round of using Writing With Ease (the elementary level) with my younger children, and I absolutely recommend it as a beautiful introduction to writing. 

Every week I read sections of classic stories to my daughter and I ask her listening comprehension questions that she has to answer in full sentences. She thinks it’s just a fun story and talking time with mom, but there is a specific purpose. 

This process teaches her what a complete sentence is and what a fragment is – which is key information before you sit down to write.

There is also copy work of classic literature, grammar instruction, and writing original thoughts.

I haven’t used the next levels of this writing program from Susan Wise Bauer yet, but if this quote from The Well Trained Mind is any indicator, you need to check it out!

“We offer a variety of easy-to-use resources for teaching the vital skill of written communication. Our Writing With Ease series teaches elementary students how to transform thoughts into coherent paragraphs. Writing With Skill adds many other skills for middle and high schoolers, such as outlining, research, citation, and the construction of full-length essays in history, literature, science, and other subjects. The Creative Writer helps them write a best-selling novel that will get turned into a worldwide blockbuster movie starring Benedict Cumberbatch, which will enable them to support you in your old age.”

There are four levels of Writing With Ease and three levels of Writing With Skill . 

4. WriteShop

For Grades : K – 12th

What You Need to Buy : WriteShop Primary (ages 5-9) requires an activity pack and a teacher’s guide. WriteShop Junior (ages 8-13) can pick from a number of things or bundle them all together: activity pack, teacher’s guide, fold-and-go grammar guide, and time-saver pack. WriteShop 1 & 2 (Middle School/High School) requires a student workbook, teacher’s guide, and dictation/copy work guide.

Price : $41 – $110

Details About WriteShop:

WriteShop is a homeschool writing curriculum that I’ve had my eye on for a long time. In all of my homeschooling blogging circles, I seem to always hear buzz about how incredible this writing program is!

I have done some homework, and it is beautifully laid out, colorful, and so engaging from first sight. It is known for fun activities, engaging writing assignments, and its step-by-step, incremental approach to teaching writing skills.

And as an added bonus, WriteShop focuses on teaching the homeschool parent how to teach writing – in an easily understandable way.

The lower levels enjoy fun, hands-on writing activities to get kids excited about writing! I love that there are supply lists in the teacher’s guides (all regular things you’d have in the house) to teach a writing lesson! 

And the assignments would catch any kid’s attention: science fiction, adventure, and mystery story writing!

There are also additional resources on the website that you can use alongside WriteShop or as a writing supplement to your current curriculum. Check out StoryBuilders and Writing Prompts for some fun springboards for creative writing!

The higher levels allow students to work more independently, and there is even a video course offered.

It may be difficult to know which level you need to start with, so definitely check out the WriteShop placement test .

To find out more about Writeshop, head on over to their website or check out this full review from MeaningfulHomeschooling .

5. BraveWriter

What You Need to Buy : BraveWriter offers bundles of their curriculum that covers multiple kids, but they are very relaxed about what you “need.” It is cheaper overall to buy the bundle, but you can also just start out with one of their books, and go from there. Online classes are also offered. They are taught by homeschool parents, who are also published authors.

Price : $50 – $229 (bundle price)

Details About Brave Writer:

Brave Writer is definitely the most unique writing curriculum that I have researched yet.

This writing program was written by Julie Bogart, a homeschool mom who has 5 homeschool graduates to her credit. 

Brave Writer promotes a “Brave Writer Lifestyle” that focuses on raising kids in a language-rich environment where they will learn to not just be a good writer – but to love writing. There is a large focus on reading great books aloud and a weekly poetry tea time (I love that!), and less of a focus on structured lesson plans and “you have to write this many sentences.”

Parents are encouraged to purchase one bundle and adapt it to teach all the grades in their homeschool. That is a huge time saver!

Learn more at the Brave Writer website or check out this full review at This Simple Balance .

6. Wordsmith

For Grades : 4th – 12th

What You Need to Buy : Each level only requires one book. Level 2 suggests buying a helpful teacher’s guide.

Price : $18

Details About Wordsmith :

Wordsmith is an economical homeschool writing curriculum from Janie B. Cheaney, a published author of six books. 

She provides a simple, easy-to-use curriculum that is broken up over three main books.

Wordsmith Apprentice (4th-6th grade) :

“All the practicality, humor and fun of Wordsmith, but written for the younger student, ages 9-12. An easy to use writing course encouraging students to develop their writing skills as they participate in every role on a newspaper staff: editor, reporter, writer, etc. Children develop a love for writing as they express themselves through sentence and paragraph writing, persuasive writing, and much more. The third edition has a larger font and cleaner type for easier reading. With added examples and delightful new illustrations, developing writing skills is made fun and easy.”

Wordsmith: Building Skills (6th-9th grade) :

“Confidence is what most young writers lack, and  Wordsmith   is designed to lead them to the place where they can read over their own work and think, “Hey—that’s pretty good!”  Wordsmith  is the core book in the series, the one that every student from age 12 and up should complete, especially if their writing skills lag behind the recommended level.”

Wordsmith Craftsman (9th-12th grade) :

Part Three of  Wordsmith Craftsman  is a master class on The Essay, pulling together thought, organization, logic, personal connection, and style.  A well-written essay is rightly considered the mark of an educated, thoughtful man or woman. A student will learn how to apply the TOWER process (Think, Organize, Write, Evaluate, and Rewrite) to a variety of essay types, namely  descriptive, narrative, expository, critical , and  persuasive . The expository section includes a primer on the all-important first step in writing research papers (which will save a lot of freshman-comp angst later!).

There are sample lessons for all three of their books. Hop on over to the Wordsmith website to check them out and see if this homeschool writing curriculum best fits your homeschool!

7. Clear Water Press

For Grades : 6th – 12th

What You Need to Buy : Student Kit and matching DVD or Cloud Access

Price : $258 – $343

Details About Clear Water Press :

ClearWater Press is the perfect writing curriculum for aspiring authors! Students are taught this creative writing course through in-depth video lectures while they work on year-long writing projects.

Below are the details of their three main curriculum books.

Cover Story (6th-9th grade) :

“The  Cover Story magazine writing program works  with your student, not against them. Award-winning author Daniel Schwabauer takes 6th–9th graders on a creative journey writing their very own magazine through engaging videos. The optional grammar lessons make Cover Story a full English Language Arts!  Choose to watch Cover Story lessons on Cloud streaming or DVDs.”

One Year Novel (9th-12th grade) :

“Author Daniel Schwabauer takes 9th–12th graders under his wing to write their own compelling original novel—for a high school English credit! His unique approach begins where many writing courses don’t go at all, with an exploration of how Story works . A creative community and support resources help students thrive. Video lessons now available on Cloud streaming only.”

Byline Journalism and Essay Writing (9th-12th grade) :

“In the Byline journalism and essay writing program, students step into the role of a 1930s-era newspaper reporter, training under Editor-in-Chief Daniel Schwabauer, who takes them under his wings to teach them everything he knows. Before they even realize it, they master the dreaded high school essay! Choose to watch Byline video lessons on Cloud streaming or DVDs.”

Head on over the Clear Water Press website to find out more information and see sample lessons !

8. Writers in Residence: Apologia

What You Need to Buy : All in One Student Text and Workbook, answer key, additional workbooks for teaching more than one child

Price : $21 for one student

Details About Writers in Residence :

I have to be honest with you all, I had no idea that Apologia offered anything besides science! Apparently, they do offer a full language arts program through their Writers in Residence series!

I love that it is designed to be used with multiple children at the same time – a huge time and money saver for homeschoolers with multiple kids!

Your students will learn about everything from sentence structure to short stories to persuasive essay writing – all through a Christian worldview lens.

“Thorough and systematic, six units and twenty-four modules are included, with lively and colorful lessons building on previously-taught concepts, skills, and terms. The easy-to-use, “all-in-one” Student Text and Workbook features an engaging tone that’s written directly to the student. Each unit opener includes a focus on a Christian writer, unit overview, and rubric; units include models from professional writers for students to study and use as an inspiration for their own writing. Modules integrate clear, engaging instruction with sidebar notes and a variety of exercises. Assignments cycle through four types of writing tasks: I Remember: assignments focused on the personal narrative I Imagine: creative writing assignments such as short stories, poetry, and novels I Investigate: research skills assignments I Think: tasks that teach opinion and argument writing, including persuasive and argument writing”

To find out more, check out Rainbow Resource, Christianbook.com, or Amazon for reviews, sale prices, and more details!

What You Need to Buy : Student Text and Teacher’s Guide

Price : $45

Details About Jump In :

Jump In is a budget-minded homeschool writing curriculum focused on getting middle school students ready for the expectations of high school writing. It has a gentle, low-stress format that is focused on independent student writing.

“What to do when high school is just around the corner and your middle schooler HATES to write? Jump In: Middle School Composition covers all the basics needed for high school writing in an engaging fashion; humor sneaking in occasionally. Daily lessons will take 5 – 20 minutes to complete. Instruction is written directly to the student and sometimes involves Bible stories or characters. Lessons might start with 10-Minute Writing Plunges that are designed to engage reluctant writers or appeal to eager writers. Or the Plunges can be a break from other assignments or a course by themselves. Plunge prompts are given M-Th with no grading (or turning in). On Friday, the student chooses which one they like best, proofreads it, and gets it ready to hand in.

10. Essentials in Writing

For Grades : K-12th

What You Need to Buy : Student Workbook, Instruction Manual, and access to video lessons

Price : $69-$89

Details About Essentials in Writing :

Essentials in Writing is a video-based course that will take a lot of stress off the busy homeschool parent or the parent who is intimidated to teach writing. 

The format is rather simple. The student watches a video (DVD or streamed) and then completes the corresponding workbook pages. The parent is responsible to look over the work and discuss it with the child.

There are also fun hands-on activities, such as time capsules, that will get kids excited and engaged with the writing process. 

“Looking for a complete English course for all grade levels that is well organized, thorough in explanation, effective in teaching and easy to use in a homeschool or group setting? Then consider Essentials in Writing! Video instructor Matthew Stephens taught English at the elementary and high school levels for years, and he used his experience to good effect in authoring this course. Video lessons featuring Mr. Stephens are the essence of the course, with supporting workbook activities as follow-up. Mr. Stephens is doing the heavy lifting of presenting and explaining the material, leaving only clarification and follow-up questions to the home instructor. Lessons are presented in bite-sized chunks, so each day’s lesson features one main point. The quality of the video and audio is good, showing Mr. Stephens teaching in front of a classroom on a white board. For younger grades, the teacher and student would watch the videos together, then discuss to make sure that the student grasps the main ideas of the presentation. Students at more advanced grades can watch the videos on their own (as the instruction is always directed to the student), leaving only follow-up discussion of the material and assignment to the teacher. Of course, the instructor should preview the video material to ensure knowledge of the material and consistency of approach in working with the student.”

Check out the Essentials in Writing website for more information, sample lessons, and videos!

11. Writing Strands

For Grades : 5th – 12th

What You Need to Buy : One Student Book and One Teacher’s Guide (One teacher’s guide covers all 6 levels of Writing Strands)

Price : $40

Details About Writing Strands :

Writing Strands is a full language arts and writing curriculum from Master Books. It is a newly revised edition that has streamlined and improved on the older version.

The curriculum includes a Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced level and has a Christian Worldview.

You will find clear daily schedules, opportunities for independent work, and writing lessons based on the analysis of literature and scripture.

Here is a snippet of the curriculum description for Writing Strands Book 2:

“This resource covers 180 days of instruction and includes a weekly lesson schedule, student worksheets, and an answer key for the objective questions in the reading lesson portion. Each week alternates between writing lessons and reading lessons; for their reading, students will read biblical passages as well as books chosen and assigned by the parent. A weekly lesson schedule is also included. This comprehensive approach will help students begin to develop a solid foundation in communication as they focus on basic, creative, organizational, and descriptive writing skills. This course alternates a week of writing exercises with a week of reading and discussing books and ideas.”

12. Writing & Rhetoric

For Grades : 3rd and up

What You Need to Buy : Student Edition and Teacher’s Edition

Price : $40 (for one semester)

Details About Writing and Rhetoric :

Writing & Rhetoric is an award-winning series of writing curriculum books.

Each book will only cover one semester, so if you stay on track, you will be doing 2 books per year.

Books 1-6 are for grades 3-6. Books 7-12 are marked for grades 6 and up. 

Here is a description of this overall curriculum:

“Writing needs to be taught just like any other subject, and letting students be ‘free’ to write without a model is often letting them jump in the deep end without learning to swim first! Writing & Rhetoric assumes students learn best by first reading excellent literature and then imitating those writers. Students who complete the entire program will learn to write narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive essays while developing their own unique style. Each exercise is designed to teach a skill that can be employed across all subjects. Skills are arranged from simple to complex, and the cumulative nature of each chapter reviews skills from earlier in the book, helping students to build a solid foundation of writing skills.”

Recap: Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum

I don’t know about you, Homeschool Mama, but it’s going to be very difficult to choose between all of these writing curriculums!

I do hope that you found a few that you want to research, dig deeper into, and hopefully use in your homeschool. 

Of course, this is not a complete list of all writing curriculum – I would need a whole book to write out everything that is out there!

Please drop a comment and share if you have a favorite writing curriculum that I didn’t list above!

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Writing Doesn't Have to be a Struggle

• Lessons break down writing into bite-sized pieces so students confidently move step-by-step to complete their writing assignments.
• Repetition of the basics reinforces the concepts until they are learned.

The proven writing program gives you the tools to teach your students how to effectively plan and write a quality essay from scratch, by equipping them with the writing skills needed to easily write a variety of paper and essays. 

ORDER NOW: Complete Curriculum Packages  (includes 1 set of Student Worksheets)

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This is a writing program I believe any parent could comfortably teach-even those who call themselves “non-writing” parents. Rebecca is a customer service dream, readily and efficiently responding to any questions I’ve had via email or phone.

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TWF Curriculum Descriptions: Click Here to Order Now

The Write Foundation has 5 levels available. Each level can be completed in 1 or 2 years depending on your schedule and your student’s maturity and ability level.

Jr. High and High School Level Courses

• Does your student struggle to easily write a well-written paragraph?
• Can your student take any topic and develop into a well-written paragraph?
• Your student may be able to write fairly decent paragraphs, but does his or her writing meet at least high school if not college level formal writing standards?
• Well-written papers are logical and easily developed when students are equipped with the right writing tools.

Level 1:   Sentence to Paragraph : (Ages 12 - 14,  6th-9th Grade) Students creatively develop descriptive and more complex sentences. They quickly move to writing basic 1-paragraph and then 2-paragraph compositions using the writing process with a variety of brainstorming techniques and outlines.  Samples  /  Assessment Test   /  Order Now

Level 2:   Paragraph Writing : (Ages 13 - 16, 7th-10th Grade) Students improve and develop their paragraph writing skills, while being challenged to quickly grasp more complex pieces of the writing puzzle, and advancing to a basic 5-paragraph college-level essay.  Samples  /  Assessment Test   /  Order Now

Level 3:   Essay Writing  (Ages 14 - 18, 9th-12th Grade) Can your student take any topic and independently write a college-level essay easily and successfully? Students gain a solid foundation of the writing process and writing structure so they can take a complicated subject and make it easy to understand through a well-written essay. Essay Writing  gives them the skills to confidently write to please any professor.  Samples  /  Assessment Test  /  Order Now

Elementary Level Courses

Entry level i & ii: well written paragraphs have well written sentences..

Each lesson uses engaging writing activities and games, which develop and advance students' creative writing abilities and other writing skills.

Does your student struggle to write a basic simple sentence? Does your student need to improve his or her sentence writing skills?   Entry Level I:   Prepare to Write : (Ages 8 – 10, Grades 2-4) Students begin by writing complete basic sentences and quickly develop their basic sentences into creative, more complex sentences using the 9 foundational parts of speech.  Samples  /  Assessment Test   /  Order Now

Does your student write simple sentences? Does he or she need to begin developing higher level sentence writing skills?   Entry Level II:   Creating Sentences : (Ages 9 – 11, Grades 3-5) Students continue developing descriptive, informative sentences from basic sentences using grammar and figures of speech. Students learn to avoid common errors people make when casually and formally writing for school and work.  Samples  /  Assessment Test   /  Order Now

Eight (8) free lessons, a syllabus for each level, free consultations, articles and curriculum information videos are available on this website.

View the syllabus and try free lessons for each level. Print and use the sample writing lessons with detailed lesson plans if you want to try this writing curriculum before you buy it.

ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION TESTS: Determine the right level for your student(s).

• Placement/assessment tests are available to help you determine the right level for your student. /assessment
• Rebecca Celsor is available for free email (rebecca@thewritefoundation.org) consultation to help you determine which level is right for your student(s).
• Get hands-on writing practice using our writing method before you make your purchase. Two (2) free sample writing lessons per level (8 lessons) with student worksheets, teaching instructions with teacher presentation information included, separate teacher presentation pages, and daily schedules are available on this website.
• A syllabus for each of the 4 levels is also available on this website. The syllabi lay out lesson by lesson the writing skills as they are taught, so you can see what types of writing, grammar and figures of speech are covered in each level.
• Articles are also available on this website to help you determine what levels would be appropriate for your children. /age-levels/

New Interactive Digital Format : You type on the Teacher Presentation as your students write on their worksheets. Now a part of each curriculum package in the Additional Resources.

Intimidated about grading?  The Write Foundation offers  Online Grading . 

I am very happy with the results I am seeing. There is noticeable improvement in my son's writing from week to week. To date, this is the most effective writing curriculum I have used in our 13+ years of homeschooling. If you are looking for simple, hands-off writing lessons, this product is not for you. If you want a curriculum that will produce students skilled in all areas of writing, you need The Write Foundation.

Lorie D., The Midlife Housewife

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Homeschool Writing Curriculum: 17 Actually Engaging Options

The specifics of a writing curriculum will vary, but a comprehensive curriculum should cover a progression of skills, increasing in complexity and sophistication from elementary to high school. Here's which homeschool writing programs best prepare kids to be great writers.

Prisma is the world’s most engaging virtual school that combines a fun, real-world curriculum with powerful mentorship from experienced coaches and a supportive peer community.

The Power of Being a Great Writer  

Living in an era dominated by rapid technological advances and artificial intelligence, it’s harder than ever, as educators and homeschooling parents, to figure out what skills kids will need to succeed in the future.

For example, why should we care about writing in the age of AI? Will technology make traditional skills like writing obsolete? On the contrary, at Prisma we believe the rise of AI makes writing more important than ever . While AI can generate text and even mimic human-like writing, it lacks the nuance, critical thinking, and empathy that are the hallmarks of human communication. The best human writers will always be able to use their command of language arts to influence others.

Plus, the practice of writing skills is important for children’s brain development. As Flannery O’Connor aptly stated, "I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say." The writing process enables us to crystallize our thoughts, stimulating disciplined and critical thinking —a skill that remains irreplaceable by AI. Whether it's a scientist explaining a complicated theory or an entrepreneur pitching their company to investors, the ability to articulate thoughts clearly & with originality is indispensable.

Moreover, writing fosters empathy . Writing, especially creative writing, allows us to imagine and understand different perspectives—an emotional skill that even the most advanced AI lacks. Empathy is vital for personal relationships, teamwork, and any profession involving human interaction.

Furthermore, writing teaches resilience . It's a journey filled with trials and errors. Children learn to handle setbacks, receive criticism, while continuously revising their work, skills that instill adaptability and persistence.

And it's a skill where we see a worrisome trend. According to a recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report, only 27% of students in America achieved or exceeded proficiency in writing. This statistic rings alarm bells about the declining writing skills among our children.

As we guide our children's learning paths at home, our responsibility extends beyond teaching writing. Our aim is to help them appreciate writing as a tool for thinking, empathizing, and persevering. Despite the rise of AI, the art of writing is here to stay. It's not just a skill, it's a compass—a compass that will guide our learners to navigate the evolving landscape of the future with thoughtfulness, empathy, and resilience.

Selecting a Homeschool Writing Curriculum: Key Factors

Choosing a homeschool writing curriculum is a crucial decision, as it will greatly impact your child's development of writing skills. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Your Child’s Interest in Writing: Is your child a very reluctant writer who may need an online app with gamified elements or lots of varied, hands-on worksheets to stay interested? Or is your child a voracious reader & enthusiastic future author who might do better with open-ended journaling, creative writing prompts , and research papers on topics they’re interested in?
• Your Child’s Learning Needs & Style: If your child has any learning differences, such as dyslexia , ADHD, or autism, you should evaluate any possible curriculum for accommodations and supports. Also consider the way your child prefers to learn. Do they like variety or lots of structure? Pen and paper or digital? Visual, audio, or hands-on?
• Level of Interaction: Consider the level of interaction the curriculum offers. Does it provide opportunities for discussions, peer review, or one-on-one feedback sessions? Interaction can often boost motivation and improve learning outcomes. You could even look for programs that offer live online instruction (we share a few options below).
• Alignment with Goals: What are your goals for your child's writing education? Do you want them to homeschool permanently, or do you hope to have them transition to a more traditional high school or college? If so, make sure the curriculum you choose prepares your learner to write aligned to Common Core standards , and make sure you feel comfortable supporting them.
• Flexibility: Look for a curriculum that allows flexibility in pace and approach. Every child is unique and might not fit into a rigid learning structure.
• Incorporation of Writing Process: The curriculum should teach the writing process – brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. This will help your child understand that good writing often involves rewriting and refining.
• Grammar and Mechanics: While the primary focus might be on developing expressive and organized writing, the curriculum should also help your child learn the grammar and mechanics necessary for clarity and correctness. But we personally feel at Prisma that too many grammar drills can be counterproductive, and many writing experts recommend teaching grammar mostly in the context of a real writing assignment after elementary age.
• Integration with Other Subjects: Writing is a skill that can and should be integrated into other subject areas. A curriculum that encourages writing across subjects can foster more meaningful learning experiences. At Prisma, all writing happens in the context of our fun interdisciplinary themes , like Cities of the Future (where kids wrote a speech proposing a new law for their dream city), Build a Business (where kids wrote a business pitch), and Unsolved Mysteries (where kids wrote research-driven podcast & video scripts for a real life mystery).

Writing Curriculum Guidelines by Grade Level

The specifics of a writing curriculum will vary, but a comprehensive curriculum should cover a progression of skills, increasing in complexity and sophistication from elementary to high school. Here's a broad guideline to assess curriculum options, or if you feel like building your own curriculum from scratch:

Elementary School Writing Curriculum

‍ At Prisma, elementary school writers focus on developing key skills in our live Literacy Labs & completing writing missions connected to our project-based themes. Content covers:

• Sentence Structure: Understanding the basic elements of a sentence, like nouns, verbs, and adjectives, and how to construct simple sentences.
• Paragraph Writing: Introduce the concept of a paragraph, topic sentences, and supporting sentences. Graphic organizers often help in this process.
• Basic Grammar and Punctuation: Understanding the rules of capitalization, the usage of periods, question marks, and exclamation points.
• Story Writing: Introduction to narrative writing, creating simple stories with a beginning, middle, and end.
• Writing for Different Purposes: Practice writing informative, persuasive, and narrative pieces.

Middle School Writing Curriculum

‍ Middle school Prisma learners build up to longer writing assignments to prepare for high school writing, and increasingly complete multiple revisions and use peer feedback to perfect their work. They build skills of:

• Advanced Grammar and Punctuation: Dive deeper into the intricacies of grammar and the use of more advanced punctuation marks like semicolons and colons.
• Essay Writing: Understanding essay structure, crafting thesis statements, and creating coherent arguments.
• Narrative Writing: Developing complex narrative techniques, such as point of view, character development, plot structure, and dialogue.
• Research Skills: Learning how to conduct research, evaluate sources, and incorporate evidence into their writing.
• Revision and Editing: Strengthening the ability to revise and edit their own work for clarity, coherence, and correctness.

High School Writing Curriculum

‍ Prisma high school students develop real-world writing assignments for real audiences, preparing to share their writing with the world and developing college-ready writing skills:

• Advanced Essay Writing: Enhancing argumentative, expository, and analytical writing skills. Practice writing longer, more complex essays.
• Literary Analysis: Writing essays that analyze literature for theme, symbolism, and other literary devices.
• Research Papers: Learning to write comprehensive research papers with proper citation and referencing.
• Persuasive Writing: Developing the ability to write persuasively, shaping arguments and using evidence effectively.
• Creative Writing: Exploring different creative writing genres like poetry, short stories, and script writing.
• College Application Essays: Learning to write personal essays that can be used for college applications.
• Critical Thinking: Developing the ability to critique, analyze, and evaluate arguments in writing.

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• Prisma is an accredited, project-based, online program for grades 4-12.
• Our personalized curriculum builds love of learning and prepares kids to thrive.
• Our middle school , high school , and parent-coach programs provide 1:1 coaching and supportive peer cohorts .

Online Homeschool Writing Programs

Live online writing courses.

If you don’t feel comfortable teaching or designing writing curriculum yourself, an online course can be a great way to give your learner an interactive, high-quality language arts curriculum.

In a nutshell: Marketplace for online courses in all subjects, including writing. You can read teacher reviews and course descriptions to get a good feel of which classes will work best for your child (and try a bunch to see what works!)

Grade Levels: K-12 and above

Cost: Depends on the length, format, and teacher. Expect to pay around $10/class for most offerings, and up to $50/class for private, 1-to-1 tutoring.

Format: Depends on the class and instructor. Some courses may only be live sessions, and others may include asynchronous materials like worksheets, rubrics, and journal prompts.

Pros: Low-lift for parents, high interactivity; and often fun, engaging topics like Comic Strip Stories or Fan Fiction

Cons: If you switch instructors frequently, your child may have gaps in their knowledge or struggle to build momentum with one writing process

Written Out Loud

In a nutshell: Written Out Loud’s three core principles are transforming how kids learn - and love - to write. Prisma partnered with this organization the past two years and we can say that kids LOVE learning to write with this program. Kids write a whole book as part of a team.

Grade Levels: Ages 10+

Cost: Fee per class or camp. Current summer camp offerings are $529.

Format: In virtual courses (or in-person if a homeschool group reaches out to form a class together), kids work in teams to “break” a story in the style of Hollywood writers (decide verbally as a team what the story will look like) and then write their portions, ending in the publication of a full-length book!

Pros: Helps kids love writing, low-lift for parents, high interactivity

Cons: Doesn’t teach more traditional or “academic” forms of writing, so likely will need to be a supplement.

Prisma & Other Online Private Schools

Some homeschooling families choose to enroll in comprehensive online schools like Prisma, especially as their children get older and need more teacher support or rigorous curriculum. Although these options do charge tuition, they offer a comprehensive, intentional, expert-driven approach to academics (including writing) while still offering the personalization, flexibility, and environment of homeschooling.

Best Online Writing Apps & Websites for Homeschoolers  

Choosing an online program is great if you want something your learner can do at their own pace with minimal supervision from you. These programs can also be great at motivating learners by providing gamified elements (like points, badges, and achievements).

Essentials in Writing

In a nutshell: Former schoolteacher Matthew Stephens’ popular online program delivers direct instruction & writing practice aligned with the traditional way of teaching writing.

Grade Levels: K-12

Cost: $69-89

Format: A video-based online course with corresponding workbooks

Pros: Low-lift for parents with a consistent structure

Cons: May not be enough variety or interactivity for easily bored learners

Night Zookeeper

In a nutshell: A highly engaging game-based online world for kids to explore writing through mini games, interesting writing prompts, and drills

Grade Levels: Ages 6-12

Cost: Subscription costing about $9-13/month, depending on if you pay annually or monthly

Format: Learners sign on to the platform and explore the online activities freely. Parents can view insights into their progress on the back-end.

Pros: Both reluctant and enthusiastic writers tend to LOVE this platform, and the subscription model makes it easy to try out.

Cons: Doesn’t offer as much instruction as more traditional programs.

In a nutshell: No Red Ink is used in 60% of school districts and although the platform is primarily built for teachers, homeschool parents can register for teacher accounts and provide their children access to this interactive, comprehensive writing program.

Grade Levels: Grades 3-12

Cost: Free version, plus a premium version with additional features

Format: A mix of targeted exercises to help students master sentence structure & grammar, scaffolded writing and revising activities for a range of genres, and diagnostics & quizzes to assess your learner’s skills

Pros: Research-driven, interactive, and incorporates learner interests (kids take a fun quiz at the beginning to tailor the curriculum to what they like to write about), plus built-in assessment (a rarity for writing platforms!)

Cons: Since it’s built for teachers, may not be user-friendly for solo homeschooling parents

Online Grammar & Comprehension Practice

At Prisma, we use grammar apps to supplement our more in-depth writing assignments. Some of our favorites are:

• IXL : We like their initial diagnostic and that you can assign individual skills to learners to practice. The format is not the most exciting or engaging, though.
• Freckle : Elementary school-age writers enjoy the gamified elements of this math & language arts platform.
• Quill : Built around the research-backed strategy of sentence combining & revising as a way to learn key grammar and mechanics, this tool is both free and highly effective (though it may get boring if used too often!).

Best Traditional Homeschool Writing Curricula

Brave writer.

In a nutshell: Brave Writer is a writing curriculum designed to help children discover their own unique voice in writing. It emphasizes creativity and individuality, incorporating various elements of language arts such as grammar, spelling, literature, and writing. This curriculum is by far the most popular one with Prisma parents!

Grade Levels : Pre-K to 12th grade

Cost: Individual online classes range from $99 to $199 per course. Home study courses are available from $79 to $149.

Format: Online classes, home study courses with lesson plans and teacher’s guides, and resources for self-study. The courses take a unique approach, focusing on having lots of conversations before getting writing out on the page.

Pros: The curriculum is flexible and customizable to meet the needs of each student. It also encourages a positive attitude towards writing, reducing stress and resistance. It’s great for engaging and empowering young writers.

Cons: The less structured format may not work for all families. Parents may need to be more involved and excited about teaching writing to ensure progress and there is no built-in evaluation or assessment.

The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)

In a nutshell: IEW is a tried-and-true homeschool curriculum option that employs a method that builds writing confidence and competence. It uses a structured and systematic approach, focused on helping students create quality writing pieces.

Grade Levels: K to 12th grade

Cost: The cost can range from $19 for single items up to $249 for a comprehensive level course.

Format: Mostly DVD-based courses, workbooks, and some online classes.

Pros: Provides clear instruction and step-by-step methods that are easy to follow. It is suitable for a variety of learning styles and abilities. The curriculum covers a broad range of writing styles.

Cons: It can be perceived as rigid by some and may stifle creativity for others. It is more traditional, we have found, than many Prisma parents are looking for. It might be too intensive for students who are not used to structured learning.

Classical Composition

In a nutshell: Based on the ancient principles of storytelling and rhetoric, Classical Composition is a rigorous writing program that leads students step-by-step through the process of writing. If you resonate with the classical approach to homeschooling, you’ll likely be drawn in by this approach.

Grade Levels: 4th to 12th grade

Cost: The cost can vary, but most books range from $15 to $30. DVDs range from $55 to $85.

Format: Textbooks and DVDs.

Pros: It provides a thorough, rigorous program that can help students become proficient writers. It's ideal for parents who prefer a traditional, structured approach to teaching writing, similarly to IEW.

Cons: According to curriculum reviews, it can be challenging and time-consuming. Some students may find it too rigorous or not creative enough.

In a nutshell: WriteShop is a writing curriculum that helps parents teach writing to their children in a step-by-step manner. It focuses on both the creative and mechanical aspects of writing.

Cost: Books and resources range from $7 to $50. Full-set curriculum kits range from $120 to $160.

Format: Books, digital downloads, and online resources.

Pros: The curriculum is easy to use and provides parents with detailed lesson plans. It encourages more creativity than some of the traditional options above while still teaching the technical aspects of writing.

Cons: Some parents have found it to be too teacher-intensive. It requires more preparation than other programs.

Writing Strands

In a nutshell: Writing Strands provides a step-by-step approach to teaching writing, focusing on a broad range of skills such as creative writing, report writing, composition, and critical thinking.

Grade Levels: 2nd to 12th grade

Cost: Individual books cost about $20 each.

Format : Books.

Pros: Even though it’s step-by-step, it is flexible and can be adapted to suit individual student needs. It's also affordable.

Cons: It lacks extensive grammar instruction, and some parents find it lacks depth in certain writing skills. The book-only format may not work for some kids who need more varied types of assignments.

New York Times Writing Curriculum

In a nutshell: This is a modern, real-world-focused curriculum, drawing from The New York Times resources. It emphasizes critical thinking, research, and journalistic writing skills.

Grade Levels: Middle school to high school

Cost: The online resources from The New York Times are often free, but for detailed curriculum materials, cost can vary.

Format: Online, leveraging articles, essays, and multimedia from The New York Times.

Pros: It offers contemporary, engaging, and relevant content. It helps students understand and engage with current events. Great for developing research and critical thinking skills.

Cons: Less emphasis on creative writing. The content might be advanced for younger students. Parental guidance might be necessary due to potentially sensitive topics.

BJU Press Writing & Grammar

In a nutshell: BJU Press Writing & Grammar is a Christian-oriented program that emphasizes grammar and the writing process, incorporating both traditional and creative assignments.

Grade Levels: 1st to 12th grade

Cost: Subject kits can range from $100 to $150, while individual books can range from $15 to $40.

Format: Textbooks, workbooks, and tests.

Pros: The program provides a comprehensive approach to teaching grammar and writing. It's straightforward and structured, providing detailed lesson plans.

Cons: Some parents have found the curriculum to be too rigid and not engaging enough. The Christian worldview integrated throughout the material may not be appealing to everyone.

Well-Trained Mind

In a nutshell: Based on classical education principles, the Well-Trained Mind approach guides parents in crafting a rigorous, comprehensive homeschool curriculum.

Cost: The core book "The Well-Trained Mind" costs around $20 - $30. Other resources' costs vary.

Format: Books and online resources.

Pros: It provides a detailed, rigorous roadmap for classical education at home. It is highly customizable, allowing parents to adapt to their children's learning style and interests.

Cons: It requires significant time and effort from parents. The approach may be too rigorous or structured for some students.

Does Your Writing Curriculum Prepare Your Kids for the Real World? 

At Prisma, one of our learning values is that education should prepare learners for the real world . 98% of Prisma parents say that our school does a better job preparing their learner for the real world than their last school. “The real world problem solving the learners do is unlike anything they do in more conventional schools,” says one parent. “If anyone tells you kids aren't ‘ready’ to consider meaningful topics like the world refugee crisis, neurodiversity, building a business, or scientific research, don't listen!”

When kids see why what they’re learning matters, they’re much more motivated and engaged . When we compartmentalize subjects, we make it unclear for learners how those subjects are used in the real world. When the only writing assignments you are given in school are to write 5-paragraph essays only your English teacher (or parent!) will read, you’re unlikely to grasp why writing is an essential skill in so many careers. Imagine if, instead, you’re asked to write a product pitch for an invention you developed to solve a real-world sustainability problem, like our learners did for the Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge in our interdisciplinary theme Wild Inventions . Prisma learners are still taught foundational writing skills, they’re just asked to apply them to real world problem-solving in an interdisciplinary way.

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Homeschool Writing Curriculums

Your guide to the best homeschool writing curriculums and learning ideas.

Top 5 Homeschool Writing Curriculums - Voted by YOU!

Our Homeschool Writing and Grammar Curriculum Course guide is based on real feedback and input from people just like you—homeschool parents, moms, and dads.

We have received thousands of votes from our homeschool families and have our top 5 winners for elementary, middle and high school programs.

Click below to download your FREE copy!

Top 5 Elementary Writing Curriculums

• Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)
• Easy Grammar
• Language Lessons for a Living Education
• Fix-It Grammar from IEW
• Rod & Staff

Learn about our top five elementary school homeschool writing curriculums ranked by our homeschool family community—people just like you and me— who have experienced these curriculums first hand.

This top five guide is a helpful roadmap to help you navigate the best of the best courses on the market today whether you are seeking information about homeschooling, are a new home school educator, or are a successful and experienced homeschool educator.

Top 5 Middle School Writing Curriculums

• Writing Strands
• Essentials in Writing

Writing curriculum programs for middle school homeschooling are not a one size fits all; and, as a home educator, it is ultimately up to you to make the best decision.

We have pooled our resources and asked our homeschool audience of teachers and students to come up with the top 5 middle school writing curriculums to help you on your journey.

Top 5 High School Writing Curriculums

• Analytical Grammar
• Jensen's Grammar
• BJU Press Grammar & Writing

Research papers, essay writing, grammar, and communication are several of the critical writing skills that are learned in high school. What is the best writing curriculum for home school high school students?

We have our top ranked 1-5 publishers and providers that will help you match up with a curriculum that will be a perfect fit for your home-based student.

The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) is an easy, fun, flexible, and structured writing curriculum that has a lifetime guarantee.

IEW’s framework for structure and style will give your student the tools he or she needs to excel in all areas of writing starting with elementary age programs all the way through high school.

According to many home school educator reviews, Easy Grammar is an easy and effective tool for home school families. The students are able to easily retain the concepts because the instructions are to the point and in an easy to understand format.

Students that have struggled with grammar in the past find Easy Grammar’s teaching method to be a no-stress, fun way to learn and feel successful.

Essentials in Writing offers a complete writing curriculum for grades 1-12 that includes text books and video instruction.

One of the many benefits of Essentials in Writing is that it is student led and there is little prep time for the teacher (parent) for each lesson.

Also, Essentials in Writing offers online classes for college prep as well as creative writing.

Analytical grammar offers a middle and high school homeschool program focusing primarily on grammar. The other two key components are punctuation and usage.

This course offers a flexible learning style and can be used for students who are struggling in grammar as well for more advanced students.

Teachers love this course and find the teacher’s guide to be very thorough and easy to follow.

MasterBooks Writing’s writing program, Writing Strands, is a composition writing course that incorporates grammar lessons and Bible-based content throughout the course.

MasterBooks writing offers course from Kindergarten through 12th grade.

There are several other wonderful writing and grammar curriculums for home school students like One Year Adventure Novel for high school writing. Many of the curriculums are broad based and cover a wide range of topics.

There are also other writing and grammar curriculums that drill down to a specific writing topic like Handwriting without Tears for elementary students.

Homeschool Writing Resources

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Top 10 Homeschooling High School Writing Curriculum Choices For 2021

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Homeschool High School Writing — Tips and Curriculum Reviews

Overview: Read my best homeschool high school writing curriculum recommendations and tips for how to grade your teen's writing and how to approach SAT / ACT essays. Note: May contain referral links.

Writing has been a sore spot in my career as a homeschool teacher since day one.  It's hard to be objective about your little one's poem about a flower; you know what I mean?

And it only gets worse as they get older and the writing assignments become more in depth — and the writing itself becomes more personal. It's like you're reading a bit of their heart. How is it possible to take a red pen to that?

And actually giving a grade that has any authority behind it? Forget it! I'm too busy giggling as my teen tries to persuade me via a five-paragraph essay that they should receive an ipod for Christmas. Or I'm battling tears as they describe a favorite event from their childhood.

I've often felt like I could not give them any meaningful feedback about their high school writing, because I was too closely connected to them — and therefore to it. Ya know?

Over the years, however, we've come across a few gems of curriculum that have helped with this dilemma, and I'd like to share them with you today.

But first, some general suggestions about homeschool high school writing:

Let me first just say that since all of our homeschool graduates who have gone to college so far did successfully complete college freshman writing courses — despite my limitations — I have come to the conclusion that (no shocker here, if you know me at all) high school writing doesn't have to be that hard.

1) The big thing is just to get the student to write and to play with language. Help them to not be afraid of writing by giving them many opportunities to put their thoughts on paper.

Related: Episode 51 — How to Make Writing More Fun for Your Homeschooled Teen

2) Also, make sure they have access to lots of great books , so they are exposed to great writing all. the. time. It does rub off, believe it or not.

3) I will also say for the record that I do think thorough and fairly demanding grammar instruction — yes, into the high school years — is definitely in order.  No one can be a great writer who cannot handle grammar and spelling. More on that a little further down the page.

4) When it comes to GRADING the writing, you don't have to get super specific.   These days I often just assign a number of total points for a given assignment and deduct as I see things that are not working — such as poor grammar/spelling, a flimsy introduction or conclusion, not supporting their opinion, poor transitions, etc.

But mostly I am fairly generous; in fact, I have been known to add points for a particularly effective turn of phrase or creative spin. Obviously, in high school there is a certain minimum standard to expect from their writing; but on the whole I want it to be a positive experience so that they will continue to enjoy putting their thoughts on paper.

UPDATE: After writing this article, I discovered an amazing thing called a RUBRIC. More on that in a minute.

Now for some homeschool high school writing curriculum we've used successfully:

WriteShop is a homeschool high school writing option that is VERY user-friendly. It helps your teen work on the writing process step-by-step, and it also provides a LOT of support for whoever is doing the grading (that's you, mom!).

WriteShop provides a rubric (i.e., grading checklist) for each assignment, so there is no more guessing about how to grade your precious little lamb's writing. I love this, because it removes the subjectivity that we moms tend to have towards our own kids and gives us a very objective way to evaluate their work.

WriteShop also provides UMPTEEN other resources to help both mom and kid feel confident about the writing instruction that is happening in your homeschool.

The high school level curricula for WriteShop is WriteShop I & II. You can see them here: Write Shop I and II for high school.  

Also, I've written an in-depth review of the WriteShop curriculum for high school which includes two videos so you can see the product and hear me wax eloquent about it, LOL. Click here: Write Shop Curriculum for Homeschool High School .

Bravewriter — Help for High School

This course is specifically geared towards homeschool high school students and has been a big help for us. We found it after my eldest, who has a great vocabulary and grammar, received only a so-so score on her ACT writing. I realized it was because she didn't use the format that they were expecting to see.

Help for High School  remedied that. It teaches the student how to write an expository essay.

What's so neat is the way it's done. The first several chapters are called “Preparation for Essay Writing”, and they are filled with ideas and exercises designed to get your child to just start writing. Topics are ones the kid is familiar with, such as his own life experiences, and these chapters guide the student in getting something on paper that has creative words and sentence structures. The student also learns to look at different sides of an argument. And one of the neatest things is that they learn to look at their own writing and communicate about it.

The second and larger section of the book gives them the tools they need to craft an expository essay. They learn how to choose a topic and analyze it, how to write a thesis statement, how to design and execute supporting paragraphs, and how to write an effective introduction and conclusion.

The entire course is written to the student , so it is suitable for independent learning — although the parent will need to give feedback on writing samples on a regular basis.

And therein would be my one difficulty with the course:  there is not a lot of information for how the parent is to evaluate the student's efforts. There was a rubric about how to comment on your child's work, but I confess that I was hoping for something a little more concrete.

I did write the author about this at one point, and she was very helpful. She told me to not stress too much about the grades but to concentrate on looking at the overall quality of the given paper. The examples in the book were A papers, and I could compare my child's to those, if that was helpful.

I do see this as a valid grading philosophy, but for myself I prefer the objectivity of a rubric such as is found in WriteShop .

Rod & Staff 9 & 10 (Communicating Effective ly Boo ks 1 & 2)

These are  primarily a grammar curriculum .  As I said, I think grammar is über-important, even at this age. (We love this curriculum .  See my mini-review here .)

However, they do also include writing. There are several chapters (alternating with the chapters that focus on grammar) that deal with different types of writing — persuasive, descriptive, etc. These contain thorough instructions about how to write each genre.  

What I really like is they provide a detailed grading scale for the teacher AND the student. So the teacher knows exactly what to look for, and the student knows what to work towards.

If you are new to Rod & Staff, though, it might be best to start at a lower level.  The 9th and 10th grade books might be a bit overwhelming if you have not already been using their grammar curriculum . Their 7th and 8th grade books are both very high level grammar, also, and to my mind they would be sufficient for a solid grammar foundation.

And we know that as homeschoolers we don't have to be dependent on a number to tell us what level is best for our child. If it is challenging to your high schooler and they spend an appropriate amount of time on it, you can count it as high school credit. :-)

Lightning Literatur e

Any of Hewitt's Lightning Literature courses are a great way to include literature (which is often required by colleges) in your child's high school curriculum . (I've written short reviews on two of their courses here .)

Lightning Literature courses don't FOCUS on writing, but most of the assignments given require some type of writing.  What I like is how creative they get with their assignments. They might ask the student to write a poem about a theme in the book, or describe the setting in their own words, or write a scene from a different character's perspective. In this way the student is not bored, so they tend to write more creatively and spontaneously.

Again, there's not much help with the grading end of it; but I focused mostly on whether the child got their point across, used language in a colorful and effective way, and avoided grammatical errors.

More on conquering the SAT/ACT essay:

I confess that when my eldest got that mediocre score on her ACT writing, I was somewhat surprised. I read her essay, and while it wasn't amazingly fantasmagorical, it wasn't super poor, either, like they seemed to think.

But the fact is that those scorers truly are looking for a very specific format and for very specific literary devices; and if you don't do it their way, they don't like you. Which is ridiculous, really, but we must be practical and realize that these scores, however stupidly come by, are important to colleges, for whatever reason!

Related: Episode 52: How to Prepare your Homeschooled Teen for College Writing

So we did a google search on “how to write an SAT [or ACT] essay.” There are a gazillion articles out there that are very helpful with concrete, specific tips for how to conquer the beast. To practice with these tips, I had my kids take a sample SAT prompt and write an essay with a 25-minute timer at least twice a week during the last part of the semester that they took the Bravewriter course mentioned above.

UPDATE: We have since learned even more about how to write the type of essay the ACT/SAT scorers are looking for. Read The Five-Paragraph Essay: What, Why, and How for Homeschoolers for more information.

Teaching writing in your high school homeschool isn't necessarily easy — but it doesn't have to be difficult, either. I hope these suggestions have helped! 

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6 thoughts on “Homeschool High School Writing — Tips and Curriculum Reviews”

The quest for finding the perfect writing homeschool curriculum requires a great deal of research to determine the best one for you and your kids. Great share, thank you

You’re welcome, Lisa. Thanks for stopping by! :-)

Thank you for all of the information that you provided. I was wondering if you used Brave Writer, Rod and Staff and Lightning Literature as one combined course for English that would give one credit?

Hi Susan, Great question. NO I DID NOT. It is not necessary to pile on all the different aspects of Language Arts, all of which alone might be worth a credit in themselves, and then call the conglomeration only one credit. BraveWriter was a half credit, Rod and Staff was a full credit, and Lightning Lit was a half credit. Sometimes my kids were taking two English courses at the same time, which means they were earning more than one credit at a time. More on this whole question of what constitutes an English credit here: https://www.notthathardtohomeschool.com/homeschool-high-school-english-curriculum/ . Hope this helps, and thanks for stopping by!

Thank you so much for responding. Thank you for clearing up the credit question and I guess I’m still confused on the 3 parts of Language Arts. I hear so much about needing the literature portion as well as reading the classics. My son has been doing the IEW and Fix It for the past two years and I had him read literary classics from our Notgrass history and he did the questions they provided. I counted all of that as one credit each year. My son is not interested in college but wants to attend a trade school. He is not interested in the literature learning but has enjoyed some of the books. This fall is his senior year and do I need to even included a literature curriculum? It is not something he is interested in and not a strength of his for sure. Most of the language curriculum I’m interested in seems to be a full credit so I don’t want to overwhelm him. I will check out the link you provided and really appreciate all of the resources that you have provided. It has been extremely helpful. :).

Susan, maybe this is what you need: What does a high school English credit include?

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Six Online Writing Classes Homeschoolers Can Start Now

Editor’s note: Since this article was originally published, I’ve made changes over time because some of the original resources no longer exist. 

As many homeschooling parents know, writing can be a difficult subject to teach. Even if your student understands grammar and can write well, many children simply do not like writing, resulting in poor content and a lot of complaining. It can be hard to teach writing if your student does not like it, or if you do not enjoy the subject either, for that matter.

Grammar is a tedious but important subject. Why not hand over some of the responsibility to an online classroom where your students can engage in grammar and writing assignments and even take quizzes?

You can rest assured knowing they are learning grammar rules correctly. They might be more motivated when they have to turn in assignments to someone other than their parent.

While this is not a replacement for your teaching, it is a great supplement. Of course, checking their homework and adding any additional writing work you feel necessary is still required.

At Grammarly, where I work, we grammar-check hundreds of documents of all types. I often look at online writing classes to see how they’re teaching. This helps me see how people best learn English so I can improve our product strategy.

I often see writing classes for homeschoolers that impress me. Here are some of the best I’ve come across:

Institute for Excellence in Writing

IEW is known for its robust writing curriculum. Many homeschooling families have used their textbooks and home videos to teach writing, grammar, structure, and style. Their online classes are taught by master teachers and are perfect for busy homeschooling families or parents who aren’t as confident teaching writing.

English Grammar 101

English Grammar 101 provides free online grammar lessons, with a special program tailored to homeschoolers. As the website says, “writing and grammar skills are essential in any line of work, at any age,” so help your students get started with the free lessons on English Grammar 101. For further instruction, the website offers teaching materials and an e-book.

Time 4 Learning

Time 4 Writing is a good source for busy homeschool parents. It has a variety of lessons, from beginning grammar to essay writing, and tailors to each grade. If you’re teaching students of multiple ages, this is a nice way to give each student the information and work he or she needs, so you have time to focus on answering questions and helping with homework.

Home 2 Teach

Home 2 Teach offers college-prep writing classes for students aged 8-18. Sessions are six weeks and offered four times per year. It is exclusively for homeschoolers, and students must submit a writing sample for placement. These courses are a great way to give your advanced writing student an edge.

San Diego Scribblers

San Diego Scribblers offers online classes for different age groups. These classes are not comprehensive but based on a theme. For grades four through eight, there is a short story writing class, and high school students can take a journalism class. The online courses do not teach grammar but are a fun addition to your writing curriculum. Assignments are given each week and teachers provide detailed critiques of each student’s work.

Harvard Extension School

Harvard Extension School is exactly what it sounds like—an extension of the Ivy League university. While this option is only for older students, it is a vigorous program that will set your child apart. Homeschool students can earn credits that will count toward high school graduation or an undergraduate degree. An online writing center is included, where students can attend virtual writing seminars and workshops.

Nikolas Baron discovered his love for the written word in Elementary School, where he started spending his afternoons sprawled across the living room floor devouring one Marc Brown children’s novel after the other and writing short stories about daring pirate adventures. After acquiring some experience in various marketing, business development, and hiring roles at internet startups in a few different countries, he decided to reunite his professional life with his childhood passions by joining Grammarly’s marketing team in San Francisco. He has the pleasure of being tasked with talking to writers, bloggers, teachers, and others about how they use Grammarly’s online proofreading application to improve their writing. His free time is spent biking, traveling, and reading.

The views and opinions expressed in any guest post featured on this site are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Wired Homeschool.

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John Wilkerson combines over 20 years of professional experience in the computer industry with 17 years of homeschooling 7 children to give parents easy to understand advice on the application of technology in their homes.

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Home » Homeschool Curriculum » Introductory Guide to High School Essay Writing

Introductory Guide to High School Essay Writing

Essay writing in high school provides a solid basis for homeschoolers in critical thinking, research writing, persuasive speech and so much more!

Homeschooling high schoolers must have great essay-writing skills. They need to be able to comfortably crank out essays to be prepared for college (and college entrance).

Introductory Guide to High School Essay Writing , by Marilyn Groop, is a 10-week, 61-page downloadable e-curriculum to help your inexperienced writer learn the fundamentals of writing a cohesive essay.

Presented in a user-friendly format, this guide is designed for independent learning or for use in learning co-ops. Packed with practical information, it includes NO busywork.

Topics in Introductory Guide to High School Essay Writing include:

• Basic essay format
• Developing each part of the essay (introduction, body, conclusion)
• Persuasive essays
• Compare/contrast essays
• Literature analysis
• Editing checklist
• Avoiding sentence fragments
• Answer key (with 3 rubrics)

While built on the skills learned in the Middle School Essay Writing Guide, it is not necessary to have worked on that guide in order have success in this course.

Give your homeschooling high schooler the essay writing skills he/she needs with this important guide.

Click here to view an excerpt from Introductory Guide to High School Essay Writing.

For helpful blog posts on essay writing in high school:

• Fun Essay Topics for High School
• 5 Writing Projects for the Homeschool Transcript

Even reluctant writers can build a strong skill set for essay-writing with a curriculum that breaks the process into manageable steps and doesn’t waste their time with busywork. The logical thinking process behind a well-written essay is not intuitive to most kids; Introductory Guide to High School Essay Writing presents the process in a friendly, conversational style that wins over even a student who says, “I don’t know what to write!!”

What are homeschool parents saying about 7Sisters Writing Curriculum?

“The language arts writing program has helped our two reluctant writers succeed in their writing. The intermediate essay writing curriculum broke down the steps so that even my student who has never felt successful in writing, and avoids it at all cost, was able to write several papers without the panic that he used to experience. It worked well for our “writer” as well. He felt that it was challenging enough that he could grow in his writing skills without being repetitive or boring. Our daughter said that “I finally can write without fear.” They are now able to write high school level papers in all of their courses. They all said that they do not want to use any other writing curriculum ever again! Research writing, here we come!” – Adell C.

My daughter is a graduating senior who is dyslexic and dysgraphic so she finds essays very intimidating. We have struggled to find the balance between instruction that will prepare her for college and instruction that meets her where her ability level is. We have found your high school essay writing guide fits the bill for her. The assignments are broken down into easy to understand pieces and we can go as slowly or as quickly as she feels comfortable with. Also the fact that it is mostly independent work for her makes her happy because she wants less and less “mom input.” – Amber V.

“We used 7sisters homeschool essay writing and research curriculum. I walked him through it very easily and not overwhelmingly.” C.S.

Listen to Sabrina discuss everything essay writing.

10-Day No-Questions-Asked Money-Back Guarantee on all 7Sisters EBook curriculum.

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• Clear Water Press
• Writing Programs:
• Cover Story
• One Year Novel
• Other Worlds

Student Journalists Cover Events from History!

A writing curriculum crafted to transform essay writing—from the creators of the one year adventure novel and cover story.

Byline turns students into time-traveling reporters who practice journalism in the forgotten corners of history. Under the video tutelage of Mr. S., editor of the fictional  Metropolitan World , your cub reporter will learn more than just how to write a terrific paper. By studying the work of great journalists, students uncover techniques of persuasion and propaganda that are widely used in media today. As students enjoy their reporter’s journey,  Byline is teaching them to write essays!

• 72 video lessons on DVD or online streaming
• Self-directed
• Step-by-step guidance
• Parent-friendly
• Intriguing pieces of history woven throughout the lessons
• Grades 9–12

Byline in Three Minutes:

Optional Half-Credit of History Too!

Byline is 1 high school English credit , but with a little extra work, you can also list it for a half-credit of high school History! (Completely optional.)

• About Byline
• The Story Behind Byline
• Cloud Streaming or DVDs?
• How to Use Byline
• Optional 0.5 History Credit
• Syllabus with Lesson Table
• Reviews & Testimonials
• Homeschool Curriculum Conferences
• Sample Lessons
• Witherspoon Award
• Special Contest Newspaper Editions
• Extra! Extra!
• Cloud Video Sign-In
• Assignment Resources
• Student Writing
• Online Unit Tests
• Curriculum Updates
• Good Books List
• Curiosity Saved the Cat
• Ask a Question
• Order Materials for a Group

Your "One-and-Done" Essay-Writing Curriculum

Buy it once and use it indefinitely with siblings.

Learn it once and use it in other subjects. 

Engaging video Iessons with workbook.

Whether your fourth through eighth grade writer is reluctant, rambling, or just plain “stuck,” he’ll discover that writing can be FUN. (Why not use live earthworms to teach grammar?) Writing can be EASY. Learn the formula, plug in some powerful words from your workbook, and voila! 

Dive deeper into the concepts taught in PowerHouse Writing: Grades 4-8. PowerHouse Writing Intermediate is intended for students in grades 8-10 and prepares them for our more rigorous college-prep writing course: PowerHouse Writing: High School. (It is not necessary to complete PH Writing Grades 4-8 before the Intermediate course.)

If your high school student starts sweating bullets over the word “essay,” she can boost her confidence AND her grades with essay-specific graphic organizers. This simple system will prepare her for ACT and SAT exams, college entrance essays, and any academic writing she encounters throughout high school, college, and beyond.

Reviews from Homeschool Moms

My boys really enjoyed your class - even my "reluctant writer."

I will definitely be recommending this class to others. Thank you for making writing exciting and fun for my boys.

 My 10th grade daughter has done a few lessons this week and is taking to it like butter on toast!

Amazingly wonderful experience! Ready for more! My son was thoroughly encouraged and inspired!

We had fabulous success with the writing class! My son now wants to enter an essay contest... whereas a year ago that was punishment for him to hear about the idea of writing an essay!

My son said he loved the "formula" approach to writing and is actually looking forward to writing his next paper... WOW... I'VE NEVER HEARD THAT FROM HIM!!! Thanks for taking the scariness out of writing for him!

Jennifer L.

Read "the old schoolhouse" magazine's review of powerhouse writing courses:.

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7 High School Writing Ideas for Homeschooling Teens

Vanessa wright.

Raise your hand if you struggle to get your homeschooled teen to write. Same, friend. Many times, I've felt all the guilt about this because I am a writer, so why wouldn't my kids love it too? And furthermore, why have I struggled to "teach" them my writing ways?

Let's start by acknowledging that deep down I  know that just because I love writing (and always have) doesn't mean my teen does. Let's also acknowledge there are approximately 371 ways you can teach, force, cajole, or (worse) demand that your teen just write the essay .  I'm a firm believer in having solid communication skills and writing falls under that umbrella. I've had to get creative in our approach to writing in the high school years because each of my teens has different abilities, desires, and goals.

And isn't that kind of the point of homeschooling?

If you have a struggling or uninspired writer, I've compiled a list of writing ideas you can try with your teen. Be open to experimenting, outsourcing, and letting them take the wheel. As usual, serving snacks whilst brainstorming and writing is always recommended.

• Note-taking :  I'll freely admit, teaching my kids to take notes was something that I kind of sort of skipped over (#forgot) until my oldest started high school. The irony is, I am a keen notetaker and it's how I process nearly everything. No worries! We quickly found some online classes and these helped introduce the topic to them in a variety of ways. My older son also learned to do this when he started taking a handful of co-op classes and needed to keep up with the information. Without solid note-taking skills, it can be challenging to write larger projects.
• E-mail writing: My three kids have been writing and sending e-mails since they were in middle school. We showed them how to use e-mail, formatting, etc. We encouraged them to write to their grandparents or faraway friends. When they got into high school, they were (mostly) responsible for writing to their co-op teachers with questions, ideas, etc. We downloaded Grammarly for them (I use it too!), and while you might not think e-mail writing "counts" I would encourage you to flip that thought. E-mail is one of the main ways (if not THE main way) people communicate. Teaching your children proper e-mail etiquette and formatting is a necessary skill. It's also an easy point of entry to get your writing-resistant kid started.
• Creating a comic book: This idea might seem like more of a traditional writing project (and maybe it is) but I know for one of my children, this was the only way I could get them to write for a solid year. Not only did they enjoy reading comics and graphic novels , but they also started to copy the writing and art styles and wrote their own. We took out books at the library about writing comics, watched videos, took online classes, and more. Comic book writing for him felt less intimidating and the rewards were great.
• Blogging:  Why not have your teen start a blog ? With so many free or low-cost platforms, this is a wonderful way to get your kid to share their thoughts. The blog can be private or just shared with friends and family. It can showcase literally any topic of importance to them. Grab some books or find a blogging course and let them take ownership. Help them brainstorm topic ideas, an editorial calendar (if you want to be fancy), and how often they want to publish it. The possibilities are endless!
• Journaling: My daughter and I are journaling fanatics. We love the quiet, introspective nature of journaling. We also love pens, stickers, and washi tape (maybe a little too much). She has found a love of bullet journaling and planning and also enjoys guided journals (I do too). Some of our favorite journals can be found here *. And if you're looking for bullet journal ideas, head here .
• Writing for business or employment: Don't sleep on this skill! Even if your teen isn't ready to get a job, have them write a resume or a document that lists their skills, passions, and talents. Once they have that, encourage them to draft a letter (e-mail) inquiring about a job or internship opportunity. If you have an entrepreneurial kid, encourage them to create their own marketing campaign! Design signage, fliers, social media posts, etc. When your teen is passionate about a topic and has ownership, they are motivated to learn and tackle all sorts of projects.
• Content creating for social media: I saved this one for last because everyone has their own thoughts and opinions around social media and teens. I come from the mindset that my teens need to learn how to properly use it and that it can be a great way to connect, learn, and even hone their writing skills. Have them research their favorite content creators and practice writing captions or even video scripts. Keep a social media terms vocabulary list, and have them plan their content (another great skill). Truly, get creative!

I hope this list inspires you and your teen to look at writing with a fresh perspective. What else would you add to this list? Let me know!

* Disclaimer - I am the homeschool liaison for Big Life Journal

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Frugal Homeschool High School Writing Curriculum for Reluctant Writers - Creative Writing and Essay Writing

• Creative Writing Resources for Homeschool High School English, and
• Resources for step-by-step Remedial High School Essay Writing

CREATIVE WR ITING 

1.  "no plot, no problem" book  .

2.  Resources on The  NaNo WriMo  site

• Intermediate  -   Writing Tall Tales
• Advanced -  Myth and Fantasy Writing

Build Up Essay Writing  Skills !

• essay writing at middle school level 
• then go on to offer beginning high school essays
• intermediate high school essays
• and advanced high school essay writing 

• Basic essay format
• 3 different types of essays
• How to write a letter to the editor
• Tips for taking a short answer essay test

• Writing Basics
• Expressive Writing  (includes personal narrative)
• Descriptive Writing (includes sensory)
• To entertain (story writing)
• Persuasive Writing  (debate kids would love this chapter)
• Explanatory Writing (such as science experiment write-ups)
• Informational  (includes recipes, how to’s)
• 7 Sisters Essay Writing Courses   above
• Oak Meadow Writing
• Write Shop 
• or any other homeschool high school curriculum that you would like to use.

• how to make transcripts
• how to assign high school credit
• and all those important record keeping details?

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Educational System — Homeschooling

Essays on Homeschooling

When it comes to homeschooling, essay writing can be a valuable tool for students to develop critical thinking and communication skills. However, choosing the right topic is crucial to ensure that the essay is engaging, informative, and relevant to the homeschooling experience. In this article, we will discuss the importance of selecting appropriate homeschooling essay topics and provide a detailed list of recommended topics for students to consider.

Choosing the right homeschooling essay topic is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it allows students to explore and express their thoughts and opinions on relevant homeschooling issues, which can contribute to their personal and academic growth. Secondly, a well-chosen topic can make the writing process more enjoyable and meaningful for the student, leading to a higher quality of work. Lastly, the chosen topic should be relevant and engaging for the intended audience, whether it's the student's teacher, classmates, or the wider homeschooling community.

When selecting a homeschooling essay topic, students should consider their personal interests, experiences, and knowledge. It is essential to choose a topic that is meaningful and relevant to the student's homeschooling experience. Additionally, students should consider the audience and purpose of the essay, as well as the availability of credible sources and research materials. By carefully considering these factors, students can choose a topic that will allow them to showcase their critical thinking, writing, and research skills.

Recommended Homeschooling Essay Topics

If you are looking for some interesting homeschooling essay topics, you have come to the right place. Below is a list of 30 different topics structured by categories, to help you find the perfect topic for your essay.

Educational Benefits of Homeschooling

• The impact of individualized learning on homeschooling students
• The role of parents as educators in the homeschooling environment
• The benefits of homeschooling for students with special needs
• Comparing the academic achievements of homeschooled students to traditional school students
• The effectiveness of homeschooling in fostering creativity and critical thinking

Social and Emotional Development in Homeschooling

• The socialization of homeschooling students in comparison to traditional school students
• The impact of homeschooling on the development of social skills and emotional intelligence
• Addressing the misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding homeschooled students
• The role of extracurricular activities and community involvement in homeschooling
• The influence of the homeschooling environment on mental health and well-being

Homeschooling Curriculum and Methods

• Comparing different homeschooling curriculum options
• The benefits and challenges of online homeschooling programs
• The impact of technology on homeschooling education
• Exploring alternative teaching and learning methods in the homeschooling environment
• The role of field trips and hands-on learning in homeschooling

Homeschooling and Legal/Social Issues

• The legal requirements and regulations for homeschooling in different states
• The impact of homeschooling on the public education system
• The influence of cultural and societal attitudes towards homeschooling
• The rights and responsibilities of homeschooling parents and students
• The role of homeschooling advocacy and support groups

Personal Experiences and Reflections on Homeschooling

• The impact of homeschooling on family dynamics and relationships
• Challenges and successes of transitioning from traditional school to homeschooling
• The role of self-motivation and discipline in homeschooling education
• Personal growth and development through the homeschooling experience
• Addressing misconceptions and stereotypes about homeschooling through personal narratives

Global Perspectives on Homeschooling

• The prevalence and acceptance of homeschooling in different countries
• Comparing homeschooling practices and policies in different cultural and social contexts
• The impact of globalization and technology on homeschooling education
• Exploring the role of homeschooling in addressing educational inequality and access to quality education
• The influence of international trends and movements on the homeschooling community

Parental Involvement

• The role of parents as educators in homeschooling
• Challenges and benefits of homeschooling for parents
• Effective communication between parents and children in homeschooling
• Parental support for extracurricular activities in homeschooling
• Balancing work and homeschooling as a parent

Cultural and Diversity Perspectives

• Homeschooling in different cultural contexts
• The impact of homeschooling on religious and cultural beliefs
• Addressing diversity and inclusion in homeschooling
• Homeschooling and multicultural education
• The role of language and heritage in homeschooling

These essay topics should give you a good starting point for exploring the various aspects of homeschooling. By considering these categories and the suggested topics within each, students can identify a relevant and engaging topic for their homeschooling essay. Whether they choose to explore the educational benefits of homeschooling, reflect on their personal experiences, or delve into legal and social issues surrounding homeschooling, there are ample opportunities for students to showcase their critical thinking and writing skills in the context of homeschooling.

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Essentials in Writing

Where learning to write well has never been so easy

Essentials in Writing Level 6 Second Edition

EIW™ Level 6 is a homeschool writing curriculum that features a slow, systematic approach for students aged 11-12 who want to learn how to write well. The step-by-step approach allows students to focus on small, daily assignments, so they don’t feel overwhelmed.

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Homeschool students will learn to identify parts of speech as well as use them as tools for effective communication. They will learn to write using a variety of sentence structures in paragraphs, narratives, personal letters, essays, and a research project. Students will explore expository, descriptive, persuasive, and compare and contrast writing.

Unit One: Grammar

Identify and apply:

• Subjects/Predicates (complete, simple, and compound)
• Nouns (common, proper, singular, plural, and possessive)
• Verbs (action, linking, and helping)
• Adverbs (modify verb and adjective)
• Prepositional Phrases

Identify and apply activities for common problems:

• Pronouns and antecedents
• Subject/verb agreement
• Don’t and doesn’t problem
• Writing titles

Tools for Effective Communication: Apply Parts of Speech

• Adjectives in action
• Action verbs in action
• Adverbs in action
• Prepositional phrases in action
• Vivid language

Apply Sentence Structure:

• Types of sentences
• Independent and dependent clauses
• Simple and compound sentences
• Complex sentence
• Incomplete thoughts
• Run-on sentence

Apply Figurative Language:

• Onomatopoeia
• Personification

Unit Two: Composition

Follow the writing process for:

• Paragraphs (descriptive, expository and persuasive)
• Writing a summary
• Personal narrative
• Persuasive personal letter
• Compare and contrast writing
• Expository essay
• Research project

Additional Composition Skills

• Audience and purpose
• Effective use of graphic organizers
• How to choose an appropriate writing form
• Informal and formal writing
• Effective writing skills (strong details, transitions, beginning/middle/end concept, logical sequence of events, variety of sentence structure, effective use of dialogue, and effective use of figurative language including onomatopoeia, simile, metaphor, and personification)
• Using a thesaurus for word choice
• Strong details and examples

Sample Lesson Video – Level 6

Level 6 – Sample PDFs

• LEVEL 6 SECOND EDITION TEXTBOOK SAMPLE
• LEVEL 6 ASSESSMENT/RESOURCE SAMPLE
• LEVEL 6 34-WEEK PLAN
• Alternative Instructional Strategies – PDF

Frequently Asked Questions About Level 6 Writing Curriculum

How old are level 6 students.

Level 6 students are usually 11 years old or 12 years old. Students may be older or younger depending on if the student is a gifted writer or a struggling writer.

What are the 6th level writing standards?

Level 6 writing standards will prepare students for middle school level writing. Level 6 solidifies foundational grammatical skills with more complexity and greater emphasis on application than the earlier elementary level. Students will cultivate new stylistic approaches such as developing a hook in the introduction and including dialogue in personal narrative writing to better elicit audience engagement and develop ideas with greater specificity. Students will practice working through the writing process in a variety of writing modes including narrative, persuasive, compare/contrast, descriptive, and research writing.

What is the 6th grade homeschool writing curriculum?

In homeschool, 6th grade writing curriculum consists of online video lessons, a student textbook/workbook, and an answer key. Parents use this homeschool writing curriculum to guide their students through grammar and writing for the 6th grade. Sixth grade students should already have a basic understanding of grammar, how to write sentences and a basic paragraph, and the basic concept of beginning, middle, and end in writing.

Why Choose Essentials in Writing?

6th grade as a full writing curriculum.

* A full year of language arts instruction * Grammar instruction * Writing instruction * Short lessons keep students engaged * Student-paced allows for student independence * Includes all graphic organizers and activities * Includes sample answers for every step of the writing process including final composition samples for each composition * Engaging instruction * Watch the lessons as many times as needed * No parent teaching necessary * Pre-made lesson planning available

6th Grade Writing as a Tutoring Program

* Choose how much or how little the student completes * Focus on specific writing deficits * Watch the lessons as many times as needed to achieve mastery * No parent teaching necessary * Sample writing provided for each composition to compare the student’s work to

What is Included in the Workbook and Assessment/Resource Book?

6th grade writing workbook.

* Lesson content that accompanies the video lesson * Lesson activities that accompany the video lesson * Writing graphic organizers that accompany the video lesson * Separate parent/teacher handbook * How to use the program * 34-week lesson planning option * Writing icon descriptions * Sample answers for each lesson

6th Grade Writing Assessment (A) / Resource Book (R)

* (A) Multiple choice, underline, fill-in-the-blank assessments for each mini section of the grammar unit * (A) Composition assessments for each composition completed in the workbook * (A) Unit One and Unit Two comprehensive assessments * (R) Extra graphic organizers * (R) Extra writing checklists * (R) Additional word lists

Assessment/resource book will provide students the opportunity to show what information they are retaining. Although some parents/teachers use the assessments as actual evaluations, others use them as extra practice. The additional word lists are valuable in improving student vocabulary.

What if I have multiple students?

Additional 6th grade writing workbooks can be purchased to provide a workbook for another child/student. The workbook does not have additional information and is just another core workbook for another student so that each student has their own workbook to use.

What should a grade 6 homeschool student know by the end of the year?

Students completing 6th grade year successfully should have mastered a number of skills and writing techniques.

* Identify and apply basic parts of speech in writing * Identify and correct common writing problems * Use writing techniques to communicate effectively in written language * Identify and use a number of clauses to develop quality sentence structures * Apply and use common figurative language in written expression * Follow the writing process to communicate in paragraphs, narratives, letters, and essays * Know and understand how to write in descriptive, expository, and persuasive writing * Know and understand how to use strong details and examples to support opinions in writing * Identify audience and purpose * Use graphic organizers effectively to organize writing content * Know how to choose an appropriate writing form * Understand informal and formal writing * Know and understand effective writing skills: strong details, transitions, beginning/middle/end concept, logical sequence of events, variety of sentence structure, effective use of dialogue, and effective use of figurative language * Research a topic, paraphrase content, and include multiple small compositions in a research project

What is included in unit one and two?

Unit One covers basic grammar instruction with activities where students learn to identify and apply parts of speech, to identify and correct common problems in writing, and to use parts of speech along with a variety of sentence structures and figurative language as tools for effective communication.

Unit Two covers the writing process for multiple compositions as well as how to communicate effectively in written language in a variety of styles and formats. The unit ends with a full research project.

Does each unit come with worksheets and tests?

Both units are included in the 6th grade writing curriculum workbook/textbook. This book contains instructional content as well as all worksheet activities related to both units (grammar and composition). An assessment/resource book is available for purchase to accompany the workbook/textbook and includes a variety of assessments in different formats as well as additional resources such as graphic organizers and word lists.

Does the workbook include a daily/weekly curriculum planner?

Each level of Essentials in Writing includes a 34-week suggested, yet optional, lesson planner.

How much time will students need to complete a course?

The time needed to complete the 6th grade writing curriculum is a typical academic year (I.e. 34 weeks). If students follow the 34-week plan included, they will complete individual lessons and activities five days per week; however, because the lessons are broken up into small, daily mini-lessons, students can double up on some lessons and activities and complete the entire course over an academic year on a four day school week.

How are tests and assignments graded?

An answer key is presented in the back of the included parent/teacher handbook. For compositions, sample answers of each step of the writing process and a final sample composition are presented to parents/teachers for comparison purposes. Checklists are included to be sure the student met the composition requirements. Parents/teachers use the checklists and sample compositions to “grade” their student’s work.

The Difference Between Digital and Print Textbook/Workbook

The online version of the curriculum includes all of the required materials for completing a level of Essentials in Writing or Essentials in Literature, but in a digital format. With the online version, all of your materials are in one spot within the member’s dashboard for you to view and print!

The required online materials include:

• Student Workbook/Textbook
• Lesson Videos
• Teacher Handbook (EIW Levels 1-8 and EIL 7-9)

For EIW Levels 1-8, you can get a digital Assessment/Resource Booklet as well!

How does this compare to the print version? The print version of the curriculum includes all the online access to the digital materials AND the printed, physical, tangible version of the textbooks. The printed books are great for students who prefer to complete their assignments directly within an organized, bound book.

It simply comes down to personal preference. Now, families have the added convenience of being able to access their materials in different formats.

Additional Student Level Textbook/Workbook

Additional Workbook is compatible only with second edition Essentials in Writing video instruction. This is only a Student Workbook for an ADDITIONAL student using the same level of video instruction. Please note that the Workbook is not functional without the related video instruction.

About The Scoring Service

Let Essentials in Writing take the scoring burden off your mind! Our Scoring Team includes a variety of qualified individuals, including long-time educators, librarians, and professionals with Bachelor’s degrees in English, and they are ready to take the burden of grading compositions away from you.

Parents of students completing levels 6*, 7*, 8*, 9, 10, 11 or 12 of Essentials in Writing are eligible to purchase this service. (*Second Editions only.) Offered from September 1 to June 15 of each school year, one composition for each EIW assignment may be submitted for scoring. If purchased after September 1 start date, services still expire on June 15 the following year.

How Do The Scoring Services Work?

• Available from Septmeber 1 to June 15 (one school year).
• One final composition from each composition lesson of Essentials in Writing may be presented for scoring.
• Students receive a rubric with a score as well as a one-paragraph write-up from their scorer complimenting strengths and sharing areas to improve, plus, detailed comments and suggestions within the composition.
• Scoring Services will be conducted online through Gradient, Essentials in Writing’s online grading platform.

PLEASE NOTE: Scoring services are for Essentials in Writing only and are not eligible for unconditional money back guarantee.

Read More About Our Scoring Service

(Assessment/Resource Booklet is compatible only with second edition Essentials in Writing curriculum)

• Assessments 26 grammar assessments in a variety of formats (fill in the blank and multiple choice associated with both sentences and larger compositions), nine composition assessments, and two comprehensive unit tests
• Resources Parent/student word lists for composition and multiple graphic organizers

Essentials in Writing comes with Online Streaming Video Instruction

• ONLINE STREAMING 12 month access to ONLINE lesson-by-lesson video instruction (Free renewals upon request)
• DVD DVD video lessons can be added for $25.00 plus shipping (This includes access to online streaming as well)

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• School Education /

Essay on Home Schooling in 150, 250 and 400 words

• Updated on  
• Jan 8, 2024

Homeschooling refers to the practice of education at home or any other place outside the school premises. Over the years, the popularity of homeschooling has increased quite a bit. It is much more convenient for both students as well as parents. It saves time, is efficient, and de-stresses children, unlike normal schools that distress children. But just like everything else, along with the pros, homeschooling too has some cons. 

A lot of people believe that education in homeschooling is confined to home boundaries only. These students are not able to develop social skills and find it hard to socialise with others. Some of them become introverts too. These are just misconceptions. We have provided below samples of essays on homeschooling. Let’s have a look at them.

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay on Home Schooling in 150 words
• 2 Essay on Home Schooling in 250 words
• 3 Essay on Home Schooling in 400 words

Also Read:- Importance of Internet

Essay on Home Schooling in 150 words

Homeschooling is a concept that has been becoming quite popular over the years. Especially in times of natural calamities and pandemics such as COVID-19, it has gained quite a reputation for being an alternative to traditional schooling. Some of the benefits of homeschooling include convenience for both, children as well as parents. It provides tailor-fit learning education to children as every child has his/her own learning pace. 

Homeschooling de-stresses children, unlike schools that distress them. But just like any other thing, homeschooling too has some drawbacks. One of the drawbacks that most concern parents is that their child would not be able to have social interaction. Children need to have social interaction in the early stages of childhood to develop their minds. Hence, it’s up to each child and parent whether to take up homeschooling or not. 

Essay on Home Schooling in 250 words

One of the aspects that has been gaining quite a lot of attention and popularity is homeschooling. Over the years, it has been gaining quite a reputation of becoming an alternative to traditional schooling. Homeschooling is a good way to deliver tailor-fit education to children as every child has his/her own pace of learning. 

So for children who are unable to cope with the pace of school education, homeschooling is a great option for them. Homeschooling is extremely convenient for both, children as well as parents. It saves time and money as well. The children who are homeschooled have to deal with less stress as traditional schooling gives them a lot of stress. By tracking the progress of their child on their own, parents get to understand their child better and hence make necessary adjustments for them. 

But just like any other thing, homeschooling too has some drawbacks. One of the major drawbacks is that children who are homeschooled lack social skills. Having social international for children in their early stages of childhood is essential for developing their minds. Children who are homeschooled may even become introverts. Parents might find it stressful for them in the long run to have to homeschool their child if they do it on their own.

They might also not be able to have any time for themselves. Homeschooling is a choice that requires assessing the situation. It might be suitable for some, while others may not find it fit for them. Hence, the decision to homeschool should be made judiciously.

Also Read:- Essay on Pollution

Also Read: How to Prepare for UPSC in 6 Months?

Essay on Home Schooling in 400 words

Over these past few years, the concept of homeschooling has gained quite a lot of attention. Especially in a time like the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become an alternative to traditional schooling for many parents. Parents can hire a tutor for the same or can even teach their children themselves. Homeschooling has a lot of pros for both, parents as well as children. 

Pros of Home Schooling

Homeschooling is much more convenient than traditional schooling. It also saves commuting time and a little money too given what the situation is. Homeschooling allows parents to tailor-fit education for their child. This is great because every child has his/her own learning pace and this way they can easily cope with the learning. In traditional school, all have to learn at the same pace irrespective of whether or not they are learning. 

Also for many students, the school environment can become quite stressful making it difficult for them to get comfortable and hence causing them stress. Homeschooling, on the other, de-stresses children. They are safe from even getting bullied and have the comfort of their own home. Parents get a chance to track their child’s progress and hence, get to know them better. Such a thing generates positivity all around. 

Cons of Home Schooling

But just like any other thing, homeschooling too has some drawbacks. One of the major drawbacks that concern parents the most is that their children would not be able to have proper social interactions. Social interactions are very important in the early stages of childhood to develop a child’s mind properly. 

Failure in that can even lead to a child becoming introverted. Some of the homeschooled children also face problems in mixing with others. For parents, depending on the situation, homeschooling can turn out to be costly as the tutors they hire may charge high fees from them. Parents may also find that they are not able to have time for themselves, which, in the long, can become quite stressful for them.

The decision of homeschooling shouldn’t be just opted for the convenience of it. Parents should take into account every scenario of their current as well as to some extent, their near future situations to make a correct decision. Hence, it would be fitting to say that the decision to homeschool should be made judiciously.

Related Reads

Homeschooling is much more convenient than traditional schooling. It also saves commuting time and a little money too given what the situation is. Homeschooling allows parents to tailor-fit education for their child. This is great because every child has his/her own learning pace and this way they can easily cope with the learning. In traditional school, all have to learn at the same pace irrespective of whether or not they are learning. Also for many students, the school environment can become quite stressful making it difficult for them to get comfortable and hence causing them stress. Homeschooling, on the other, de-stresses children. They are safe from even getting bullied and have the comfort of their own home. Parents get a chance to track their child’s progress and hence, get to know them better. Such a thing generates positivity all around. 

Some of the benefits of homeschooling include convenience for both, children as well as parents. It provides tailor-fit learning education to children as every child has his/her own learning pace. Homeschooling de-stresses children, unlike schools that distress them.

In some aspects, homeschooling is better than traditional schooling. It is more convenient, children can learn at their own pace, it de-stresses them, etc. but on the other hand, it does have some cons too such as no social interaction which can lead to less developed minds, no healthy competition, etc. 

This brings us to the end of our blog Essay on Homeschooling. Hope you find this information useful. For more information on such informative topics for your school, visit our essay writing and follow Leverage Edu.

Deepansh Gautam

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