IEW Questions

[mysticamethyst]

I have been reading much about this program. I think this would be great for my kids. My questions is, which part to begin with? I went to the site to get more infor but honestly felt a bit overwhelmed. I could really use some direction. Anyone? Thanks in advance.

[Linda in NM]

and what you want to do, and how comfortable you are teaching writing. You could use the workshops, and Andrew Pudewa would do the "teaching" while your dcs follow the workshop...you could use a theme-based series, or you could use something like Trisms (which we use), which integrates the writing with history assignments.

[mysticamethyst]

From the sounds of it I think Trisms would work, we do a lot with history and science. Actually, this is where I sneak writing in but I want a program. So, I don't miss anything. Which I tend to do without a list, I am very forgetful.

[PixieKris]

My .02....

The first thing I did (after being talked into taking my daughter to the program at a co-op) was to sit down with the other moms and watch the teachers video. It was very helpful, because then I had a good idea of how to help my daughter as she worked through this program. Then, the co-op owned the DVD's for the kids, so they did a lesson a week of level A. It was amazing - turned my daughter from a non-writer into a writer. That said, it some of the kids REALLY hated it.

I have heard it is hard to implement just from the written curriculum, but if you use the "ancient history" work book, or one of the other ones, it is MUCH easier (and MUCH cheaper than the DVD'S.) We did use the Ancient History one on our own sort of alongside the co-op, and the assignments were easy to understand and relevant to our history topic. So, if you don't want to invest in the DVD's, I'd invest in a specific area of study. I was just looking at the website, and thinking I should have done the Medieval Based Lessons instead of Rod and Staff this year! Oh well. :)

Good luck! Feel free to ask any questions about it and I'll answer to the best of my ability.

Kris

[MIch elle]

My 13yob is using IEW U.S. Based History Lessons v1 with success. In the fall, my gr 6 ds will use IEW Ancient History writing lessons. They are excellent and much less expensive than the dvd programs. I don't think you need TWSS to do history based writing either.

If you want writing to go with history check them out: http://www.writing-edu.com/writing/theme.php

[one l michele]

Be sure to check out the file section on the IEW yahoo group, they really helped me see the whole picture before taking the plunge.

[mysticamethyst]

Thank you all so muck, I will be ordering the medieval lessons to start with and will find that yahoo group today. Really, thank you all so much.

Tammy

[Michelle T]

I am going to get the TWSS DVD's, and the ancient history program. My DS needs a LOT of help in writing, and I want to be able to apply IEW in all areas, plus have the history program to back me up.

I figure if it doesn't work out, they have a 30-day return period. Plus, the resale value is really high.
Michelle T

[one l michele]

Feel free to contact them with your questions before you order. Also a heads up, if you order the TWSS the tips and tricks dvd comes with it, I was unaware of it and ordered it, thus ended up with two, the customer service was excellent when I called to inquire how to return the disc. I was also told I could look over the SWI and return it if I felt the TWSS is enough for me to teach the program.