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in Age· Language Arts· Middle School· Writing

Cover Story Writing Curriculum for Middle School

I would venture to think most homeschool parents are often on the lookout for quality curriculum.  Am I right?

We spend hours pouring through catalogs, reading reviews online, maybe attending conferences, and definitely chatting with friends about the ULTIMATE question:

So, what curriculum do you use? 🙂

Today, I’d like to make that work a little easier in two ways:

Favorite middle school homeschool curriculum and resources including reviews, helps, and more from our Curriculum Choice Authors.

First, be sure to hop over and check out our article on Choosing Middle School Homeschool Curriculum

Second by sharing about a wonderful, most helpful middle school writing curriculum we’ve been using for a few months.

Cover Story Writing Curriculum for Middle School is a full English curriculum including writing, literature, critical thinking, grammar & more!

Introducing Cover Story Writing Curriculum

Cover Story Writing Curriculum is a complete language art program for middle schoolers.

cover story writing curriculum

I’ll only share a quick peek; I have a more detailed review with my daughter’s thoughts on what she loved over at Domestic Serenity.

Cover Story is a DVD-based curriculum taught by a professional writer.  The HUGE benefit is that it’s a complete language arts program with a strong writing component .

Over the course of one school year, your child will use all of the skills learned to create their own magazine, a process my 11-yr old is thoroughly enjoying.

cover story writing curriculum

What Cover Story Curriculum Includes

Cover Story Writing includes:

  • 6 DVDs with 72 lessons ranging about 15-20 minutes each – these are anything but boring, each of the 70+ lessons is often presented complete with costumes and props to explain a certain concept.  I’ve heard my girl laughing, though she says â€˜some things aren’t really all that funny, but that’s why you laugh!’
  • 1 DVD of grammar lessons – Twelve additional video lessons on grammar are included in the set. The grammar component is optional, and designed to be used as needed to supplement the other instructional materials. Cover Story‘s approach to grammar de-emphasizes memorization of Latinate terms and emphasizes true comprehension.
  • Student Book – after each video, there is a corresponding lesson to further focus on writing strategies.  Find sample video lesson and pages from the student book here.
  • Teacher’s Guide
  • A Journal

Once you own the kit, only the consumable student book and journal need to be purchased again for repeated use with another child.  Cover Story lifts the need for Mom or Dad to do the actual teaching of creative writing, and gives the student autonomy in this area.

Benefits of Using Cover Story

• Taught by an award-winning writer
• No prep work required for teacher
• Class is taught for you through video
• Students create content for their own magazine
• Humorous skits illustrate concepts
• Self-motivating materials
• Step by step and easy to follow

More Cover Story Reviews

If you’d like a bit more personal view of how Cover Story Writing Curriculum is working out for us — check out my post!

And you can check out what Eva Varga has to say here: Cover Story Opens Door and Builds Bridges

Daniele (36 Posts)

I'm a Mama to five kiddos living among cows and corn in central PA. Our curriculum choices reflect Charlotte Mason with a Classical Ed flair, and we'll throw in anything else that works! Come on over and visit us - hope to see you there!


Filed Under: Age, Language Arts, Middle School, Writing Tagged With: updated by Heidi C, Written by Daniele

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dawn Beattie says

    March 5, 2014 at 8:40 am

    I’ve been looking for non textbook style LA curriculum and I believe this would be perfect!

    Reply
  2. Kathy Jason says

    March 5, 2014 at 9:10 am

    I would love to try this with my kids….one of them loves to write!!!

    Reply
  3. Crystal says

    March 5, 2014 at 9:27 am

    My oldest will be Middle School aged next school year and I wanted to make an extra emphasis on writing. This looks perfect!!

    Reply
  4. Linda says

    March 5, 2014 at 9:42 am

    I’ve been looking at this since it came out. I think it would be perfect for my kids.

    Reply
  5. Kelly Branst says

    March 5, 2014 at 10:32 am

    My daughter LOVES to write and we have been talking about all the careers that are available to writers. I think this would be a fun way for her to learn about what would be involved in writing as a career.

    Reply
  6. Shannon says

    March 5, 2014 at 10:36 am

    I have two in Jr High and this would be perfect for us!! Just what I have been looking for!

    Reply
  7. Michele says

    March 5, 2014 at 10:37 am

    We are looking for a complete, non-traditional language arts for my dyslexic son who is heading into 7th grade.

    Reply
  8. Tristan says

    March 5, 2014 at 12:40 pm

    I think my oldest would love the fun dvd aspect as well as making a large project over the course.

    Reply
  9. Stephanie says

    March 5, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    This is our worst area. My son absolutely hates to write. I’d love to find something that would work for him.

    Reply
  10. Pam says

    March 5, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    I think she would really like the DVD part. The whole concept is just great. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  11. Laura says

    March 5, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    I have been giving this serious consideration for my 2 middle school girls next year! Sounds so great!

    Reply
  12. Joesette says

    March 5, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    My daughter would love that SHe gets to make up the story instead of just studying someone else’s writing.

    Reply
  13. Tammy Jones says

    March 5, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    My daughter loves to write stories, but is bored to tears over grammar. This looks wonderful!

    Reply
  14. Katherine McClure says

    March 5, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    We are planning to use this and the One Year Adventure Novel over the next few years!

    Reply
  15. Juliana Swanson says

    March 5, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    I think my daughter would like the dvd format and being taught by a professional writer.

    Reply
  16. Amanda says

    March 5, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    I am so looking forward to using this curriculum with oldest. He will be in 6th next year, is that too young to use this curriculum with or should I wait until the following year?

    Reply
  17. Leah Stanford says

    March 5, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    My middle school daughter loves to write! This looks like an amazing curriculum to help her realize her potential!

    Reply
  18. Anita says

    March 5, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    A friend has highly recommended this! I think my daughter would love working towards a completed magazine!

    Reply
  19. Debra of GA says

    March 5, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    Our VERY reluctant writer son would enjoy this curriculum a lot. He would benefit greatly because this Momma is grammar and writing challenged…wink!

    Reply
  20. Marla says

    March 5, 2014 at 8:10 pm

    I’ve been looking for an interesting writing program for my son, and this sounds great!

    Reply
  21. Melissa G says

    March 5, 2014 at 8:12 pm

    Can’t wait to try this out next year for my 7th grade son, looks right up his alley!

    Reply
  22. Samantha Kirchner says

    March 5, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    I believe the challenge, purpose and instruction methods would be most appealing to my daughter.

    Reply
  23. tammy cordery says

    March 5, 2014 at 11:45 pm

    this would be great for my daughter. she was just saying that she needs something else to do with her English.

    Reply
  24. Michelle says

    March 6, 2014 at 12:55 am

    I think my kids would love this. They would love watching the lessons and writing about things they are interested in. The fact that they will be able to turn it all into a magazine is so fun.

    Reply
  25. Kim Fries says

    March 6, 2014 at 8:46 am

    I am planning on getting this for next year. It would be awesome to win it!

    Reply
  26. Michele Amos says

    March 6, 2014 at 9:40 am

    My son would love the fact that I wouldn’t be hovering over him. He can do this program his way.

    Reply
  27. Bonnie Boucek says

    March 6, 2014 at 10:04 am

    All of my kids love writing stories. I want to introduce them to newspapers and other journalistic avenues first. Then, if they love this, we will do their program in high school — the novel.

    Reply
  28. Kathleen P. says

    March 6, 2014 at 10:20 am

    My son would love that it is not a textbook curriculum.

    Reply
  29. Roxanna E says

    March 6, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    This sounds great and I would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  30. Heidi @ Home Schoolroom says

    March 6, 2014 at 5:46 pm

    My 11 year old daughter and I would love to try this curriculum! I love the idea of DVD lessons and creating a magazine as a long-term writing project.

    Reply
  31. Mary Flanders says

    March 6, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    This sounds like it would be just the thing for my son. Keeping my fingers crossed.

    Reply
  32. Gina Arkell says

    March 6, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    I have been looking for a good writing program!

    Reply
  33. Angie Witte says

    March 6, 2014 at 10:06 pm

    English is the subject that I am most picky about. This curriculum seems comprehensive with a flair of fun. The completed magazine will give my boys a sense of accomplishment to see the finished project!

    Reply
  34. Kathy says

    March 6, 2014 at 10:42 pm

    My girls love creating books, so I think this would fit in perfectly for them as a curriculum!

    Reply
  35. Wendi S says

    March 7, 2014 at 9:38 am

    I think my kiddos would love that they end up creating their own magazine by the end of the course.

    Reply
  36. Lori says

    March 7, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    I am planning on using this! Just waiting for the needed funds to get it….so this giveaway would be very much appreciated. Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  37. Nicole says

    March 7, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    My kids have been so excited to get this curriculum!!
    Winning this giveaway would be Incredibly Fabulous!!

    Reply
  38. Avril says

    March 7, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    This curriculum looks like fun, I had never heard of it. We have tried so many LA curriculums already. As I was watching the videos my daughter said lets get that one! She liked the video sample. I would love to win this.

    Reply
  39. Lynn E. says

    March 7, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    My daughter sits for hours on end typing stories on the computer. She would absolutely love something like this as a curriculum. I think it would give her a lot of what she needs to do what she loves most. 🙂

    Reply
  40. Ellen Pool says

    March 7, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    My daughter would enjoy the humor the most!! 🙂

    Reply
  41. MrsC. Munroe says

    March 7, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    I would LOVE to win this. I can see how much the DvD’s would grasp my sons’ attention.

    Reply
  42. Erika says

    March 7, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    My aspiring writer daughter would love this! It also looks like it would help her less enthusiastic sister get on board too! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  43. Carol says

    March 7, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    My rising 7th grader would most appreciate the DVDs… I think we both benefit from me not being the “teacher” for every subject : ). This curriculum looks great, and I love the journal.

    Reply
  44. Meg Dawson says

    March 7, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    I have had this curriculum on my wish list for months! It looks so fun, engaging, and comprehensive.

    Reply
  45. Sharon Spahr says

    March 7, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    My 13 year old daughter would love the finished product to show off!

    Reply
  46. Karen says

    March 7, 2014 at 11:27 pm

    I think my son would appreciate the humor this curriculum provides! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  47. jan says

    March 8, 2014 at 9:41 am

    This has been on my wishlist since I first heard about it last year. Maybe for the fall?

    Reply
  48. Shelley Huckins says

    March 8, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    Making a magazine sounds like something my child would TOTALLY enjoy. He is always writing stories to share with others, and this would give him an ultimate goal to accomplish.

    Reply
  49. Michele P says

    March 8, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    I think she would appreciate being able to write something everyday, she is so focused on writing her book that she doesn’t take a break to write in other ways.

    Reply
  50. Beth says

    March 8, 2014 at 10:32 pm

    I have one who wants to be a journalist.

    Reply
  51. Jen says

    March 8, 2014 at 11:46 pm

    My son is not a fan of writing, but loves being creative. Would like to combine the 2.

    Reply
  52. Nora Hofmans says

    March 9, 2014 at 12:52 am

    I have 4 adopted special needs boys at home. They’re age ranges 6-16yrs. My two eldest boys would be the ones to use this curriculum. I have one reluctant writer and one writer that needs more direction. I know that both of them will benefit. I love this idea. I think their other program for high school is pretty neat too.

    Reply
  53. Shaura says

    March 9, 2014 at 2:09 am

    Yes, I am looking and looking for curriculum for middle school student. Thank you for your review!

    Reply
  54. Wendy says

    March 25, 2014 at 10:52 am

    I just saw this in one of my new homeschool magazines and planned to research more. So glas I found your post and site. Think I just found our LA curricula for next fall. Thanks a ton!!!!!

    Reply

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