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Meaningful Composition 4+: Sentences, Paragraphs, and More Meaningful Composition 4: Put Those Paragraphs Together Review by Kathy Gelzer

Donna Reish
Training for Triumph
6456 E. US 224
Craigville, IN 46731
260-597-7415
http://www.tfths.com/

Meaningful Composition 4+ and Meaningful Composition 4 are two semesters of a 4th grade English curriculum that is "designed for families who desire to study God's Word, biblical principles, and godly character while developing excellent communication skills." The "4+" designation means that this first semester book can be used remedially with older "reluctant writer" students. The two books contain all the information you need to teach as well as places for the student to write all answers and assignments.

Each book is broken up into 18 weeks of daily instruction, but the material can be spread out over a one-year period, depending on your homeschool needs. Each book can be used by itself for one semester or used with a basic grammar program for one year.

The scripted lesson plans are in outline form, using simple, clear language. The teacher guidelines say this curriculum requires one or two one-hour teaching sessions each week and 20 to 50 minutes of work by the student three or four times a week. The author recommends working through the book together at the beginning of the year and determining which areas can be delegated to the child for independent work.

The teaching guidelines also state that these books contain two levels--"Basic and Extension." It goes on to explain that "a younger student . . . does not need to write as many sentences or paragraphs or complete as many revisions as an older (or more advanced) student using the same book."

The first semester book covers nouns, pronouns, subjects, verbs, adjectives and adverbs, sentences and clauses, paragraphs, rough drafts, essays, and key word outlines. Thesis statements, source citation, and beginning editing are also covered. Key word outlines are an integral component of the curriculum. They provide a tool for the student to use when writing an essay from given material, ensuring that he uses his own words and avoids plagiarism.

The second semester book concentrates much more on key word outline essays. This book also contains book report instruction and a corresponding book report assignment. Some figures of speech are included, such as personification, alliteration, simile, and metaphor. Beginning letter-writing is also covered.

Part of the philosophy of Meaningful Composition is to provide the student with specific and directed writing guidelines. This takes the guesswork out of the writing process, in many cases making the instruction and learning process simpler. Many of the writing prompts are Bible-related. A great feature of this writing program is the inclusion of acronyms to help students remember important points, such as sentence and paragraph components. Once the student learns these, he will always be able to write good sentences and paragraphs, which are the foundation for all writing.

Checklist Challenges are introduced in the first semester book and provided throughout the second semester book, with instructions to complete up to 18 steps for editing the written assignments. These range from reading your paper out loud to using more descriptive words to eliminating overused and unspecific verbiage. Appendices in both books contain proofreaders' marks, answer keys, key word outline helps, and lessons plans and suggestions for using Meaningful Composition in a co-op or small class setting.

Meaningful Composition is a well thought out, thorough writing curriculum. It is plain and to the point. If you are looking for something colorful, humorous, or exciting, you will not find it here. However, if you want a no-nonsense composition product with strong emphasis on paragraph and essay writing, look no further.

Product review by Kathy Gelzer, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, October 2009

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