Is there anything like IEW but without the DVD's to watch?

[Michelle T]

I'm still going back and forth between Jump In and IEW. I own both, and have spent too much time contemplating them! I've watched the first DVD of IEW, and have been instituting units 1 and 2 this week. Have to admit, I'm dreading watching the next DVD, because the first one was just so boring to me. An hour and a half, and it could easily have been 30-40 minutes. Way too much chatter and off-topic talk for me, and I really don't like learning from video anyway.

Okay, enough with the whine fest! So now I'm wondering, is there any writing program that is similar to IEW, but doesn't require watching tedious DVD's to get the instruction? Not the history based IEW either, because I have that too, and am not crazy about it. I'd just like a program that clearly laid out, in written form, what I am to do each day.

Michelle T, who will eventually go crazy looking at writing programs :willy_nilly:

[Tiffani]

Have you looked into CQLA (Character Quality Language Arts)? It combines grammer, writing, spelling etc... into one program. What really excites me is that it teaches IEW in an easier way. I personally haven't used it....yet! But planning to next year. You can look at samples on the website. www.tfths.com (http://www.tfths.com)

HTH,
Tiffani

[jg_puppy]

Also if you only want writing they make Meaningful Composition.

http://www.tfths.com/comp.php

Jan

[Denise in IN]

I was also going to suggest CQLA or Meaningful Composition. I'm using the writing part of CQLA right now with my ds8. I really like the way she teaches writing. It's very step by step, which is what my ds needed! She also does and editing step called the "Checklist Challenge" that is wonderful - very thorough, well beyond the basics.

My son just finished a half-page report today, and said "Wow, Mom, look at all we got from just fourteen key words!". :001_smile:

[whitestavern]

Can I ask which level you're using now with your ds8? I'd like to check it out for my daughter who's the same age. Thanks!

[Michelle T]

Also if you only want writing they make Meaningful Composition.

http://www.tfths.com/comp.php

Jan

They don't have samples for the composition only program, wish I could actually see it!

The sample of the full program looked confusing. :001_huh:
Michelle T

[jg_puppy]

Yes, it is a Christian curriculum. The program is mainly about character so the passages are focus on character traits. There is a range of people and subjects mentioned. There are some Bible verses in the margins. She does use the key-word-outline technique of IEW’s Structure and Style for her writing instruction.

Jan

[Peek a Boo]

what age?

I'm loving the detail of Writeshop :D

but it's recommended for middle/highschool.

[Michelle T]

DS will be 12 in a couple months, but his writing skills are behind, and he does have fairly severe LD's that make learning difficult.
Michelle T

[MIch elle]

We're using IEW U.S. History Based Lessons v1 w/ 14yob and like it very much.

[Denise in IN]

Can I ask which level you're using now with your ds8? I'd like to check it out for my daughter who's the same age. Thanks!

I am using only the writing part of Pre-Level A.

[Denise in IN]

They don't have samples for the composition only program, wish I could actually see it!

The sample of the full program looked confusing. :001_huh:
Michelle T

Well, bummer. I was able to find some samples a while back (creative searching), but I can't find them now. I did print them out, so I know somewhere in my office!

I think I'll e-mail and ask if/when they can put up samples of Meaningful Composition.

[KathyBC]

Michelle, did you ever get a look at Wordsmith Apprentice? It is not religious - you or your ds grab *one* book, read the instructions and follow them right there in the book, or in a notebook. That's it. It's listed as gr. 4-6 - we're finding it just right to stretch my writing-challenged ds, in gr. 6. It looks like it will set him up nicely for IEW next year.

Okay, maybe bringing up another curriculum isn't all that helpful. :rolleyes: Once you've watched the IEW DVDs once, aren't you done? If it were me, hopefully I would just pick one or the other and go for it! Good luck and happy searching. :)

[Kelli in TN]

Years ago I found an online version of the program that IEW is based on. It was just there, for free! I bookmarked it and I enjoyed it.

And then I had a housefire and my computer was smoke damaged and all was lost on my hard drive!!

I searched and I searched and I have never been able to find that site again.

Maybe it is gone, but it was there once. Maybe someone else has seen it or can find the magic Google formula to find it once again?

[5wolfcubs]

I emailed -- they said not before April 1st (not very far away!) for samples as they're revising/editing them. I thought it sounded good too! :)