Spectrum Writing 4th Grade Workbooks, Learn to Write a Story, to Inform, an Opinion, Handwriting Practice for Kids 8-10, Classroom or Homeschool Curriculum

My 4th grader is in the full-time remote school program this year due to the pandemic and has been struggling with writing concepts and execution. Online learning is making an already challenging subject to learn that much more difficult. I wanted to find a book that describes all the concepts of writing from the beginning so that I can work through it with him a little bit each day with the hope he will be at grade level by the time he enters 5th grade. I first searched online for free resources, blogs, articles, or other such material that I could use but I couldn't find one source for all of the information I was looking for so I turned to Amazon to buy a 4th grade writing book. You will find several different options available when searching "4th grade writing" but based on the previous reviews, I went with this one and I am so glad I did. It begins with a basic, yet effective, introduction to writing, including an overview of the how's and why's behind writing, the writing process, and how to select effective verbs and nouns to enhance the message around your writing. It provides examples and analogies that are easy for kids to grasp, which enhances the importance of the lesson. For example, when explaining who we write for and the importance of your audience, the book uses an analogy of a band performing at a concert. The band plays for an audience who listens, just as a writer writes for an audience who reads. Then it goes on to explain how your audience can dictate how and what you write. A band director chooses music that the audience will enjoy...that the band would not want to play very serious music for an audience full of children, nor would it want to play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to an audience full of grandparents. The same is true of writers...you have to select the appropriate content for the target audience.The rest of the book keeps lessons and messaging simple yet touches upon all of the key elements of writing for this grade level. Some of the material he is learning in class seems too convoluted and moves too quickly for the students to fully grasp the content and practice the newly learned skills. Fancy terminology ( "expository" and "narrative" writing) and complex tools (narrative writing diamond, informational/narrative pillar) that overcomplicate the writing process at this early stage are unnecessary and confusing. This book breaks similar concepts down into terms and processes that are easier to understand.If you are like me, looking for a book that can help demystify the writing process to a beginner and provides effective exercises to strengthen developing skills, this book is a great place to start. If seeking a more detailed book that really augers into more complex topics like genre, deconstructing text, annotating, paraphrasing, word referents, and the like, you probably want to chose another option.

The media could not be loaded.  We use all spectrum learning books love the teaching methods

We plan on using this book for our next homeschool year. It looks like it will be a great addition to our curriculum.

Nice supplemental book! Some of the themes do jump around a little bit, but for the most part it's a very helpful workbook for the munchkins.

Enough teaching for grade

This is a great book to improve writing. The lessons teach different parts of speech and how to use them to improve on your writing. It is a great resource for any students who needs to practice more detailed writing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

This will make a nice home school supplement for my children

Just what we need to get our little ready for 4th grade. We started using Spectrum when our little one was in 2nd grade. They work just fine and fit right in to our curriculum.

Best buy

Very pleased with these books they are great for homeschooling.

My friend recommended this writing series. I bought them for my kid at junior high. Honestly writing books are good but too thin with less contents compared to price. as a writing book, i don`t know why publisher left huge blank under topic. Would it be left to kids for draft? anyway books are still good.

Mostly grammar not writing