OneStepAtATime Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I need to ask about timing. i know that Susan Barton recommends starting IEW right after completing Level 4. Only we won't finish Level 4, I don't think, until the beginning of May. I intended to start Level 5 in mid-May and carry it through the summer, along with math and typing, but take a break from everything else while the kids attended several educational and extra curricular day camps they would like to participate in. I would really prefer not to add in an intense writing program through the summer. Would it mess up using Level 5 if we don't start IEW until near the end of that level instead of the beginning? I can't find anything on the site that tells me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timberly Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 When my LD son was in 2nd grade and non-LD-son was in 3rd, I spread out an hour of IEW 's SWI-A DVDs over a weeks time. Neither boy picked up a pen or had me scribe any work. Instead they simply shout out the silliest answer possible to the DVDs many questions. Then we shut off the DVD player and talked and talked about the source story. It was a hilarious, no pressure competition between Mom and two sons to see who came up with the wildest, but most accurate answers to the questions constantly asked during the DVDs. For example, if the speaker on the DVD wanted an nice strong adjective for a pen, boy did we shout out bizarre adjectives... Non-LD son then had me scribe his key word outlines which LD younger brother borrowed to make super silly verbal stories/speeches that followed the IEW guidelines. This taught 2nd grade LD boy to stay on topic and not try to make a 3 paragraph report or story into a 30 paragraph report or story. This is not how IEW is designed to be used. But two years later we are now using IEW the way it was designed to be used and both boys went from composition anxiety to composition enjoyment. Thanks so much for the tip on how to make IEW fun AND useful! My DS, especially, loves humor, but DD tends to remember humorous things better than just straightforward instruction. (Don't most of us? Why don't stand up comedians become teachers? Kids might actually remember those 45 minute long lectures much better....). :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 Bumping. Is there ANYONE who is or has used IEW with Barton? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLDebbie Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I just bought IEW yesterday to use with my son. He's just starting level 8 of Barton. I don't think she says you have to start IEW right after level 4, but rather that's the earliest she'd recommend it. We've used WWE for the last year and a half and I feel he just isn't progressing. I'm hoping the IEW approach works better for him. On a Barton group I'm on, several people there have used it with success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 We use IEW but not necessarily with Barton. I probably will for my younger but he is just not old enough to need that kind of writing instruction yet. We are only on Barton Level 3 and may easily get to level 5 before I start him on IEW in 3rd grade. I can't imagine it would be a problem since they are very different programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Thanks so very much for the feedback ladies. I feel much better and am putting a more workable plan in place. Best wishes to all of you. And to FLDebbit, I hope you have more luck with IEW! FairProspects, I fully understand about not needing that level of writing instruction yet. I will see with my younger when the time comes. We are still working on so many things with him. May have to go slower with him or wait to start it with him until later. Good to know that's o.k. On a side note, how do you like GEMS Chemistry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 We actually haven't layered science back in yet other than random projects, but I love GEMS in general. I think we have done at least 6 guides so I'm sure the chemistry ones will be fabulous too. If you don't mind gathering your own supplies, they are solid science units. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 We actually haven't layered science back in yet other than random projects, but I love GEMS in general. I think we have done at least 6 guides so I'm sure the chemistry ones will be fabulous too. If you don't mind gathering your own supplies, they are solid science units. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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