First, let me wax philosophical. There are other schools of thought, but my opinion is that the early grades, 1^st-3^rd, should focus more on reading and being read to. I think most students need to absorb lots of good writing before they’re ready to start producing it. (There are exceptions, of course—if kids wants to start writing stories in kindergarten, let ‘em, but forcing it before they’re ready is often counterproductive.) So, except for handwriting practice, letters, brief reports, and possibly dictation (like the excellent series Learning Language Arts Through Literature), I don’t recommend getting serious about writing until fourth grade, or even fifth. Reluctant writers could get their feet wet with the more imaginative approach of Wordsmith Apprentice. You could start slowly in fourth grade, and move on to complete the book in fifth.

By the middle-school years (sixth – eighth grades, ages 11 – 14), students can begin to get more intentional and structured. They are also entering those awkward transitional years when they become painfully self-conscious and introspective. This is an ideal time to begin Wordsmith, with its self-directed, personal-experience approach. But again, it depends on the student. Many won’t be ready to complete the book by sixth grade, but they can start slowly with Parts One and Two while continuing with book reports and brief expository papers. If they don’t complete the book in sixth grade, most students will be able to finish in seventh. The Teacher’s Guide can provide guidance on how to expand the core assignments for further practice.

Wordsmith Craftsman is designed for 9^th grade and up, but a student whose writing skills are not up to speed, or could use some confidence-boosting, should complete Wordsmith first. 

How confident do you feel? If you’re a competent writer, loved to diagram sentences as a kid, read voraciously, and have loads of time (or any combination of those things) you’ll do fine without it. Wordsmith is intended to be a self-directed program, after all.  However . . . Students usually don’t direct themselves to do the work! So the Teacher’s Guide breaks the material into assignments that pace the student through a 36-week school year. It also provides further explanations, tips on evaluating a student’s work, answer keys, and additional diagrams.

The last section gives suggestions for further assignments, ways to incorporate creative writing into almost every other school subject, ideas for organizing a writers’ club, and a list of publications and websites that publish children’s work..

I self-published the first book in 1991. In 1993, Common Sense began publishing Wordsmith: a Creative Writing Course for Young People, as it has ever since. Wordsmith Apprentice appeared in 1994 and Wordsmith Craftsman in 1996. From 1992, I’ve appeared at homeschooling conferences in Midwest, and the Wordsmith series has been featured in Timberdoodle, Cathy Duffy’s 101 Top Picks, Christianbook.com, and more. All three books have been revised twice. So it’s no wonder the name sounds familiar!

Not explicitly, but I am a Christian and nothing in Wordsmith will subvert Christian principles or worldview.

Glad you asked! The newsletter contains news (duh) about coming attractions and current features, monthly giveaways, a “Question of the Month” and a “Challenge of the Month” open to all subscribers, and a Craftsman’s Corner dedicated to the finer points of writing encountered in high school. And probably more to come.