IEW writing for next year. Help me choose between these two options, please.

[Hoggirl]

My ds will be in grade 6 next year, and we will be in year two of our history rotation (476 - 1600). We use IEW for writing. He completed the SWI-B over the last nine weeks of last year (grade 4) and the first semester of this year (grade 5). We have started into the SICC-B, and are taking it at our own pace. I anticipate getting through lesson 14 by the end of this year. I also already own the Medieval History Writing Lessons. For next year, I am trying to decide whether or not to complete SICC-B or set it aside and do the themed-based book. I could pick up the SICC-B the following year. I cannot see a way to coordinate these two very effectively b/c all of the theme-based writing lessons cover all 9 units starting from the beginning. The SICC-B moves on. I see plusses and minuses to both, but I only want to do ONE!

Medieval Lessons -
+ = tied into history

reviews everything we have covered thus far and adds in some
more

- = perhaps TOO much review* as sentence openers and dress-ups are
introduced throughout and ds has already had all of these and some
decorations through SICC-B. Reviews LOTS we have already done.

seems to move too slowly

*so I realize I am saying (and I do believe) the review element is both a +
and a -

SICC-B
+ = ds likes watching the DVDs
other things (like editing, live interviews ~ he would LOVE this!) covered

- = not tied into history
not super keen on the lesson plans either.
seems to move too quickly

One other option I have thought of is doing the theme-based lessons and letting him watch the TWSS DVDs (which I also have). But, again, I am not sure how to coordinate the "style" part with this as he seems to covered a lot more of the style than what is included in the history writing lessons, but nearly as much as in the TWSS or the SICC-B.

Since I already have all the "stuff," cost is not in the equation. I just need a "plan."
What say you, oh, wise hive?

[MIch elle]

I'm trying to decide almost the same thing for my 6th grader too. SO, I'm with ya!

Blessings,

[Basketmaker Amy]

I am doing SOTW 2 and IEW's Medieval Lessons this year with a 4th grader and 7th grader. This is our first year using IEW and I have been very pleased with the lessons. My boys aren't big fans of watching videos, so they didn't like the first set of SWI lessons. They did like the writing assignments in the Medieval plans...well, as much as any boys who would be rather be playing outside and building forts would! Of course, they wanted to write a lot more about King Arthur!

The writing lessons build upon themselves. I didn't think they went too slow or had too much review. Writing is all about practice, practice, and more practice! I loved the vocabulary cards and having them incorporate the vocabulary into their writing.

Proof that IEW's program works: last week I was having my son make corrections to a writing project he had completed about 2 months ago (so we could print off a nice clean copy and put it in a writing portfolio.) He re-read his paper and said..."yuck...I wrote that! I need to make a lot more changes!" At the time he wrote it, he was pleased with the paper. I am glad he is able to recognize his improvement!

I think you will have a lot of fun with this time period with your son....my boys loved the knights, castles, swords, Robin Hood, etc.

Good luck with your decision. Either way your son will do well!

[Hoggirl]

nt

[Pongo]

In the theme based lessons there are a few "fun" things that may not be introduced in the SWICC until later or not at all in some cases. You could pull those lessons and use them separate from the others in the Medieval lessons. Basically, you would use the SWICC as your base then add in the theme based lessons or models you like. If they offer models in the Medieval lessons, you can still use them but ask for the requirements from the SWICC.

I would look at the TOC. You could start with the ML until you reach the Unit you are on in the SWICC. Then pop the lessons from the unit into you SWICC schedule. That would give you a full year of writing.