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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Two different problems being discussed here.

1.  Grammar and spelling.  Assuming no learning disabilities, that can be refined by reading and by holding to standards.  Spelling tests don't improve spelling, and neither does "studying" vocabulary if you don't study prefixes, suffixes, infixes, and roots.  Having a kid read what they wrote out loud and summarize it, then fix it, also helps, but it has to be done repeatedly over a long time.

2.  Argumentative writing, which is essentially what most academic writing is: using evidence to support theses and sub-points.  That will not usually be picked up or refined by reading because most kids don't read that kind of writing outside of assignments.  But argumentative writing can be taught as a series of formulas on which you improvise and create as you become more fluid at it, hence the 5P essay (which should, however, be a late-elementary into MS thing, not a HS one).

Reading does not convert into writing.  Practice does.[/quote]

I went to private school. Students had a spelling/vocabulary text book that included grammar starting in 1st grade. And we had homework using that book every night. By 6th grade we had a formal grammar textbook and diagrammed sentences.

Additionally, we read literature…not the ridiculous benchmark nonsense. And we had writing assignments everyday.

Plus: they taught us how to memorize, study for tests, and research and draft lengthy reports.

FTR, private school kids aren’t special; anyone can learn if schools actually teach the proper skills. [/quote]

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