When it comes to homeschooling, one of the most important subjects you’ll want to cover thoroughly is English writing. Strong writing skills are not only crucial for academic success but are also essential for effective communication in everyday life. As a homeschooling parent, you want to make sure your child receives the best possible foundation in writing. There are many English writing programs out there that can help you with that, but finding the best ones can be overwhelming. In this guide, we will explore the best English writing programs for homeschoolers, looking at products that are highly rated, widely used, and available on Amazon.
Why English Writing Programs Matter for Homeschoolers
If you’re homeschooling your child, you probably understand the importance of a well-rounded education. Writing is not just about grammar and spelling, but about learning to express ideas clearly and persuasively. A good writing curriculum will help your child develop a solid foundation, including skills like sentence structure, creative writing, essay development, and more. The best English writing programs are engaging, adaptable, and tailored to different learning styles, helping your child to grow as a confident writer.
1. The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)
The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) is a popular program among homeschoolers. IEW provides a well-structured approach to writing, helping children of various ages learn how to compose effective paragraphs, essays, and even creative stories. The curriculum includes instructional DVDs, workbooks, and teacher guides, making it easy for parents to follow along.
IEW focuses on teaching structure and style, making it particularly effective if you’re looking for a systematic program. Many parents appreciate that the course offers clear, easy-to-follow instructions, which makes it easier for them to teach their children how to write.
Available: You can purchase the IEW Student Writing Intensive series, which has high ratings and numerous positive reviews from parents who have seen great results with their children.
2. Writing with Ease by Susan Wise Bauer
Writing with Ease by Susan Wise Bauer is a highly-regarded curriculum that focuses on teaching fundamental writing skills in a gradual, stress-free way. If you’re looking for a curriculum that eases your child into writing without overwhelming them, this could be the perfect choice. The lessons are short and emphasize copywork, narration, and dictation, allowing your child to develop a solid foundation in writing skills.
This program works especially well for young writers who are just starting out. The step-by-step nature of the curriculum helps to build confidence and teaches kids how to effectively transition from copying sentences to composing their own paragraphs and stories.
Available: Writing with Ease: Strong Fundamentals is available, along with workbooks for different grade levels. Many parents praise the simplicity and effectiveness of this program, particularly for children in the elementary years.
3. The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts & Writing
The Good and the Beautiful is a comprehensive language arts program that covers grammar, reading, spelling, and writing in one integrated curriculum. If you want a program that covers all of these bases in a seamless way, this curriculum might be perfect for you. It combines all the necessary elements of language arts, which is convenient if you want an all-in-one solution for your homeschooling needs.
The writing component of The Good and the Beautiful encourages creative expression while emphasizing proper writing structure. The colorful pages and engaging exercises make learning enjoyable, especially for younger children who may struggle to stay focused with other programs.
Available: You can find The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts Level Workbooks on Amazon, which come highly recommended by many homeschool families for their rich content and beautiful design.
4. Brave Writer
Brave Writer takes a slightly different approach, focusing on developing a child’s voice and creativity through writing. It’s designed to make writing enjoyable, encouraging children to express themselves freely while still learning essential writing skills. Brave Writer focuses heavily on fostering a love of writing and creative thinking, which can make it an excellent choice if you have a reluctant writer on your hands.
One of the core elements of Brave Writer is the Jot It Down and Partnership Writing series, which guides parents on how to work with young learners or older children. With Brave Writer, there are also numerous online classes that can complement the written curriculum.
Available: Brave Writer’s Jot It Down is available and highly rated, with many parents noting that it was particularly helpful in encouraging reluctant writers to enjoy the writing process.
5. Writing Strands
Writing Strands is a program that offers incremental lessons to help students gradually improve their writing. The curriculum is divided into different levels, making it easy to choose the appropriate stage for your child. Writing Strands focuses on both creative and expository writing, ensuring that your child gets a broad writing education.
The program helps your child move from basic sentence construction to more advanced writing, including essays and creative pieces. The exercises are engaging, and the student is given opportunities to practice skills in a real-world context.
Available on Amazon: Writing Strands Level 1, 2, and Intermediate are all available and reviewed positively by parents who like the step-by-step nature of the lessons.
6. Essentials in Writing
Essentials in Writing is often referred to as a video-based writing curriculum that is ideal for visual learners. If your child benefits from seeing examples and following along with a video instructor, this could be an excellent option. The lessons are short, making it easier for children to stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed. The program focuses on both grammar and composition, giving students the skills they need to write well-constructed paragraphs, essays, and reports.
The structure of Essentials in Writing is very straightforward. Each lesson has a video component, followed by exercises that reinforce what was taught. This is particularly useful if you’re homeschooling multiple children and need a program that offers some independent learning opportunities.
Available: You can purchase Essentials in Writing Level 1-12 on Amazon, with many users praising the simple yet effective format of the video lessons and the clear workbook instructions.
7. Jump In: A Workbook for Reluctant and Eager Writers
Jump In by Sharon Watson is specifically designed for middle school students, offering a gentle introduction to writing essays and other forms of nonfiction writing. The program is ideal for children in grades 5-8, especially if they feel overwhelmed by traditional writing assignments. Jump In breaks writing into manageable steps, making the process more accessible and less intimidating for kids.
One of the key aspects of Jump In is its conversational tone, which makes it feel less like a formal textbook and more like a guide helping your child along their writing journey. The exercises encourage students to think critically and come up with their own ideas, making it a great choice for this age group.
Available: Jump In: A Workbook for Reluctant and Eager Writers is available with strong reviews from parents who appreciate how well it breaks down the writing process for children who struggle with motivation.
8. Winning with Writing
Winning with Writing is a straightforward and easy-to-use writing curriculum that provides a clear path from basic to advanced writing skills. The program is divided into multiple levels, with each level offering a range of exercises designed to improve your child’s writing gradually.
This program focuses on making writing approachable by offering daily lessons that aren’t too long or overwhelming. Each level builds on previous skills, ensuring that your child has a thorough understanding of each concept before moving on. If you’re looking for a no-frills, effective writing program, Winning with Writing could be an ideal choice.
Available: Winning with Writing Level 1-7 can be found on Amazon, with positive reviews noting the effectiveness of the program’s clear and simple structure.
9. Time4Writing
Time4Writing is an online program that offers eight-week writing courses for elementary through high school students. The courses are taught by certified teachers who provide feedback and guidance on each assignment, making it an excellent option if you want some outside help with teaching writing.
The courses cover everything from basic sentence construction to advanced essay writing, allowing you to choose the course that best suits your child’s needs. Since it’s online, your child can work through the lessons at their own pace, and the personalized feedback is a significant advantage.
While Time4Writing isn’t available for purchase on Amazon, you can still consider it if you’re looking for an option that allows for independent work with the support of a certified teacher.
10. Spectrum Writing Workbooks
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly writing program, the Spectrum Writing Workbooks could be a great fit. These workbooks are well-organized and cover everything from writing basics to more complex writing tasks like storytelling and essay composition. Each grade-level workbook provides clear and concise lessons that can be completed independently, making it a good option if you’re balancing multiple kids.
The exercises in Spectrum Writing are varied and engaging, which helps keep children interested in writing. This curriculum can also serve as a supplement to a more comprehensive program, or as a standalone writing curriculum for elementary and middle school students.
Available: The Spectrum Writing Workbooks for various grade levels are available on Amazon. They come highly recommended for their affordability and the solid foundational skills they provide.
Choosing the Right Program for Your Homeschool
With so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the right writing program for your child. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Learning Style: If your child is a visual learner, a program like Essentials in Writing that includes video instruction might be the best fit. For creative learners, Brave Writer is an excellent choice for fostering imagination and self-expression.
- Grade Level and Skill: Choose a program that matches your child’s current writing abilities. Writing with Ease works well for young learners, while Jump In is perfect for middle schoolers.
- Parent Involvement: If you want a program that requires minimal preparation from you, consider video-based programs or online courses like Time4Writing. If you prefer more involvement, IEW provides a structured format that allows parents to play an active role in teaching.
- Budget: Some programs, like Spectrum Writing Workbooks, are more affordable, while others, like IEW, can be more of an investment.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best English writing program for your homeschooler involves considering your child’s learning style, grade level, and your own preferences as a homeschooling parent. Whether your child needs help with the fundamentals of writing or is ready for more advanced essay composition, there’s a writing program on this list that will meet your needs. The most important thing is to choose a program that will make writing enjoyable and approachable, helping your child build confidence and essential skills along the way.
Many of the programs listed here are available on Amazon, making them easy to purchase and implement in your homeschool routine. From IEW to Brave Writer, each of these options offers unique benefits to help your child become a skilled and confident writer.