Help....any IEW experts to answer question???

[sheryl]

My daughter is in 4th grade and I have writing covered for this year. BUT, I am considering IEW for next year. I'd like to learn about it/buy it before then to become accustomed to it.

I've viewed their website and it's not clicking. Perhaps because I saw one of the IEW student books at a bookfair recently and am narrow in my understanding of other IEW book choices. You know how you see something and think that's the only way it should be?

I'm interested in a student book which gives them writing exercises with the addition of teaching tips...why's and how's, etc. of the mechanics of "writiing".

WHAT IEW PRODUCT WOULD YOU SUGGEST? Or, am I not understanding the program?

Thanks. Sheryl

[angela in ohio]

It sounds like you would like Writing Strands. That is more of a workbook written to students.

IEW is a method of writing instruction. It requires parent involvement (even if you use the student DVDs.) Ideally, you would watch the TWSS and learn how to teach your dc writing. At that point, you could decide which, if any, of the other products you want to use.

[sheryl]

as a supplemental approach? Ideally I know it's not, but can one be creative and use it as such? I thought I saw a student workbook on display and the student had to write with directives/tips given for that assignment....

[Kathy in NC]

The Ancient History-based writing book looks like it is written to the student, and they would create a notebook using this.

[sheryl]

Appreciate the insight!

[MIch elle]

The Ancient History-based writing book looks like it is written to the student, and they would create a notebook using this.

We are using IEW Ancient history writing lessons and it's in workbook format. There is some parental teaching with the program but it doesn't take long to teach each lesson.

I highly recommend Lori V.'s IEW history based writing lessons - and I don't think you absolutely don't need to watch TWSS to use it. It's a very step by step writing approach that Lori V. uses.

[laughing lioness]

I've used IEW for years and love it!! What you first want to get with IEW is the TWSS (Teaching Writing Structure and Style). This will teach you how to teach writing and the IEW approach. If you actually watch the videos you will learn a lot :001_smile:. You can also purchase the SWI (Student Writing Intensive). This is a video series that your student watches (you should watch with him), taught by Andrew Pudewa, then your student does the work. There are a lot more products: theme based units that cover history or science, etc. but you would start with the TWSS or SWI (there is A, B or C based on your students age. "A" is for 3-5th grade, "B" is for 6 through 8th grade and "C" is for high school). There is also the SWI-continuation courses for A, B and C for students who have completed the SWI. You can also get free downloads at the IEW web-site to extend the SWI. The beauty of the IEW program is that it teaches your child both structure (through 9 units) and style (techniques such as "ly" words, openers, etc). It makes good writers great and mediocre or relunctant writers good as well as confident. It is fun, it is affordable. The cost can be intimidating but I purchased my TWSS 11 years ago and have used it for 4 of my kids and probably 60+ others that I have taught in co-ops. It is worth the investment becasue it impowers you as the parent to teach writing well- a skill that your child will need no matter what they do in life. I truly believe that the ability to write well is one of the most important skills that we can give our kids. Andrew Pudewa (founder of IEW) is also a true classical educator (a former Suzuki violin instructor) and his approach really works with how children develop. Feel free to PM me if you have other questions.

[angela in ohio]

I don't know. The history-based lessons (I have a dd using them right now in CC) are not a workbook in the sense that they come with an answer key and you can just check their work without understanding the concepts. You could probably use them in the elementary years wihtout fully learning the program.

What writing program would you be using it to supplement? I would think it would be easier to go with one or the other (I would, of course, recommend IEW.) :)