My Access Writing Course
- DL
- Jun 14, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 2, 2020
So... I just signed up for this writing course last week, and I LOVE it! I've been looking for a writing curriculum/software/app for months, and this course checks all the boxes. I wanted something that would teach them the fundamentals of writing, guide them through the process, and give them an opportunity to write essays and book reports. Folks, this is the real deal.
At first glance I wasn't too impressed. The interface is kind of dated. It's not sleek and flashy like many online courses these days. There are no games (which I don't mind at all), no flashy animations, not even any sound. BUT, it's the only web-based course I've found that kids can work their way through independently (which is high on my priority list since I'm working from home) while learning course content and practicing their writing skills at the same time. My 14-year-old took to it right away and completed an essay with a few days. My 8-year-old isn't quite as enthused, but I'll give her a bit more time to adjust to it.
The program comes with a large number of writing topics to choose from. The topics are sorted into three age groups: 8-10 years, 11-14 years, and 15-18 years, but you can choose any topic from any group, regardless of the age of your child. Here's a small sample of the essay topics you can choose from:
Ages 8-10
Favourite pet
My special talent
The joy of being a kid
If I had one hundred dollars
How can you help the world?
Ages 11-14
Favourite hobby
What makes a good parent?
How to handle a bully
Teenage responsibility
Violence on television
Ages 15-18
A person you most admire
Effects of technology
The future of your chosen career
Internet classrooms vs Traditional Classrooms
Positive influence
The software also uses algorithms to assess your child's work and provide a grade, feedback, and a revision plan for how to improve their essay.
A one-year subscription costs US $99.95 for up to three children, but if you're a member of the Homeschool Buyers Co-op (membership is free, by the way) you can save 50%!
For an extra $29.95 you can add on their Faith & Values Prompt Pack, which is an excellent way to help your child explore the basis of their faith and develop a strong sense of self-understanding as they develop strong writing skills. They will write about topics such as, choosing acts of kindness in the face of anger, living their faith as role models for others, choosing the path of right versus wrong in a peer pressure situation, and much more.
You can also add your own topics that you'd like your child to write about, which is a great way to customize their writing experience
We've only been using it for a short while, but so far so good.
Check it out!