Question about IEW:

[Melora in NC]

I'd like to get TWSS but it won't fit into our budget.:glare:
So, I'm wondering if I could get close to the same benefit from just buying the TWSS teacher manual/syllabus and the Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales writing lessons book.
My ds will be 10 in July, and we are about halfway through Writing Tales II. He does well at retelling the stories we have done so far, such as The Little Red Hen and The Boy Who Cried Wolf (though for some reason, he simply Cannot narrate chapters from SOTW!), but I have a very hard time getting him to put in details. He retells the stories in a Very Succinct way, and I thought perhaps that IEW might "force" him to use more descriptive language (though I know I should be able to get him to do this on my own).
I am tentatively planning to move on to CW Homer eventually, but I wouldn't mind spending a year learning IEW techniques, with the idea that they might complement the writing we would do in the future with CW or Writing Aids or whatever we end up with.
I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has used IEW and is familiar with the TWSS manual!

[kRenee]

It has been awhile since I viewed the TWSS videos but I would say that the manual only gives a few outlines and writing examples. It doesn't cover the entire program. There is so much more in the videos.

[Academy of Jedi Arts]

It is very easy to adapt the techniques from the TWSS to any subject- history, science, literature, you name it. Watching the DVDs has taught me SO MUCH. I am one who is not easy to please with seminars and went into this whole IEW thing reluctantly. This has turned out to be the best thing I have done for our homeschooling yet.

I read the whole manual before I watched the DVDs. I got a pretty basic idea of what the program was about from the syllabus, but watching the actual seminars helped pull it all together in a way that wouldn't have happened had I just read the syllabus. Watching the DVDs helped me actually get a feel for how this would look and work. I would have gone about teaching the program all wrong had I just read the syllabus and gone from there.

The program starts out teaching kids how to make key word outlines. From there, you go on to writing up your outlines in paragraph form, and then start adding what is called "dress ups" (things like adverbs and strong verbs). There are also other add-ons you learn, like sentence openers and clinchers. You teach each dress up/add-on one or two at a time until it becomes easy, then add to that. You give the child a checklist as to what exactly is required to be in his writing.

The TWSS method encourages you to help your child come up with descriptive words BEFORE he starts the assignment. The idea is to model model model and teach writing in this very regimented way (which I was totally against at first BTW) until it is programmed into the child (which I was also against at first BTW-lol). This program provides a solid foundation for writing. Period. What you add to that is pretty much up to you.

So, while you could get a very basic snapshot of what's in the DVDs from reading the syllabus, it would be great if you could find it used, had a homeschooling friend to split the cost with you, or save up for awhile and eventually purchase the DVDs. IMO, the Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales book would not be a necessity. You will learn enough in the TWSS to keep you busy for a good while:)

[LlamaMama]

Do you have a local homeschooling support group or email list? You can see if anyone would be interested in loaning you the DVD set or hosting a watching party. I was going to watch the videos with someone from the group, but eventually decided to buy the DVDs myself. BTW, I'm using IEW with my teen-aged sister (not my four year old!)

[Melora in NC]

Thank you all very much for your answers! Sounds like my idea wasn't such a good one, and I Love finding this out Before I waste money! Too bad Netflix doesn't carry TWSS! Guess I'll swallow my pride and see if I can borrow it!
Again, many thanks for all the great information!

[StephanieZ]

I could never do this as I am a curricula hoarder. ..

But, having recently invested in IEW (TWSS and the F,M&FT), I suggest that you consider "loaning" yourself TWSS by buying it used, watching & studying it for 1-2 months and then sell it used. I'd bet you could end up paying under $20 net. Then, buy FM&FT if you are so moved. After watching the TWSS, you can download a lot of useful stuff off the IEWfamilies yahoo group and/or the IEW site and you'll have a solid handle on it. I am glad to own TWSS and intend to re-watch it for review overtime, but I do think you could get a lot of benefit just by "loaning" it to your homeschool.

[Kathy in MD]

If all you're worried about is increasing the detail in your ds's sentences, I have a less expensive alternative, Sentence Composing. It works almost entirely on sentences; there is little paragraph construction. The student's imitate the sentences of professional writers, focusing on adding adverb, phrases and clauses. This alone has helped my ds add detail to his writing. It doesn't work on word selection, outlining, brain storming alternative words, essay construction or the other features of IEW, so it's not a replacement. But I think it's good enough that I'll be combining the next level when I start IEW next year.

[Melora in NC]

I could never do this as I am a curricula hoarder. ..

But, having recently invested in IEW (TWSS and the F,M&FT), I suggest that you consider "loaning" yourself TWSS by buying it used, watching & studying it for 1-2 months and then sell it used. I'd bet you could end up paying under $20 net. Then, buy FM&FT if you are so moved. After watching the TWSS, you can download a lot of useful stuff off the IEWfamilies yahoo group and/or the IEW site and you'll have a solid handle on it. I am glad to own TWSS and intend to re-watch it for review overtime, but I do think you could get a lot of benefit just by "loaning" it to your homeschool.

That is a very good idea. Judging by the prices on e-bay, TWSS seems to hold its value Very well! (Which is sort of unfortunate for me at this point!) I am seriously considering following your suggestion, once I've bought the rest of our stuff and given the budget a breather. (Only risk is, I'm a curriculum saver too!)

[Melora in NC]

If all you're worried about is increasing the detail in your ds's sentences, I have a less expensive alternative, Sentence Composing. .

Thank you for this suggestion! I'm going to take a look at this now!

[jenna]

I would buy the Student Writing Intensive and learn the concepts along with your children. This course can easily be stretched out over many months and if I'm not mistaken there are many additional lesson plans available online for a small fee. And the resale value on Ebay is amazing!( I sold mine last year.)

My 8th grade son begged to take a writing class at the community college this year and he ended up earning a B. He also completed a Business class with essay exams the year before and earned an A. So, that being said IEW gave him the confidence and skill necessary to take the placement tests and do well in the courses.

It was worth every penny.

[Melora in NC]

I would buy the Student Writing Intensive and learn the concepts along with your children. .

Thank you! I will take a closer look at the SWI. Your son's experience is inspiring!

[sixlilmonkeys]

I know it can appear expensive, but considering ALL you will get out of it for ALL the years of school - its worth every penny!
I put it off what seems like forever and I shouldn't have. It should of een a priority and then I would of had peace about teaching writing a LONG time ago! That is worth its weight in gold!

[TraceyS/FL]

I know it can appear expensive, but considering ALL you will get out of it for ALL the years of school - its worth every penny!
I put it off what seems like forever and I shouldn't have. It should of een a priority and then I would of had peace about teaching writing a LONG time ago! That is worth its weight in gold!

I echo this - i haven't even started with DD yet, but just watching TWSS myself i am kicking myself for not doing it a few years ago when i first talked myself out of it.

UGH.

IT's been a pinch money wise the past few weeks - but its worth it!