Need advice from IEW people!

[happyWImom]

We haven't done much formal writing, and are currently using WWE 2 (because of stopping & starting :blushing: ) and R&S 3 & 4 for my dc. I tried Writing Strands with dd, and she hated it. Ds, actually liked it, but he is a more step by step, follow the directions type kid. They are polar opposites.

 

Anyway, I am slightly encouraged after seeing their (especially dd's) writing in R&S, and feel I haven't done too badly so far with the writing. But..... I am afraid we are still not where we should be. We haven't done any formal papers at all. They are writing more while using BF (Hist of Horse & Geography) but it's still pretty basic stuff.

 

So........ (Yes, finally getting to the point). I want to try IEW, but budget is a big concern, as well as time. I am one who is overwhelmed by the look of IEW's TWSS set. I've been reading non-stop, get how important it is, etc... But-is it possible for me to just get thw SWI-A & not

purchase the combo? (TWSS/SWI) I know he says you need both, yada, yada.... But it does come with the teacher notes & a Structure & Syle Overview dvd for parents. Honest opinion, can I jump right in without it?

 

If not, please tell me how easy it is to do IEW. One example of me being overwhelmed with "stuff" is AAS, and Winston Grammar. Couldn't do it. Too much stuff, too much time, too complicated. (I know, once you "get it" it's probably not, but I never give it long enough).

 

I know I'm babbling, but please help!

[Annie Laurie]

We're using IEW right now and the SWI has only 15 lessons. There are reinforcement lessons in between, so you can stretch it out, but I don't see how just that could last a school year. You'd need to add to it, and in the SWI material they recommend adding lessons based on units in TWSS, if you're not going to buy a SICC course.

 

I know just what you mean about things that are too complicated not getting done. I have a 2 yr old who never sleeps and am in a time in my life that I just don't even have the brain power or patience to plow through a ton of info and learn a "system." I have changed to a lot of things that don't require me to plan anything, like Sequential Spelling dvds and Evan-Moor paragraph editing. We have used WWE 1-4 and I bought WWS but just couldn't seem to get it off the ground at this time, so I gave in and bought IEW.

 

The TWSS is kind of one of those complicated things. There are many dvds and they are very long. And I find learning w dvds frustrating, because I have to listen to all the jokes and side remarks that make it take so long when my time is so limited, before I get to the meat. So I just started my kids on the SWI anyway and I think there's enough info in there for the teacher that we're fine. But, I'm going to have to find time to watch TWSS before my kids are through with the SWI, or we won't have enough material for the year. And it makes it a little hard that I kind of have to write my own units after this, though the IEW method is pretty simple really.

 

So, imo, yes you can use the SWI w out the TWSS, but eventually you'll need to watch the TWSS to continue w IEW. Many people recommend buying TWSS only if trying to save money, and learning the philosophy and then making units from that. But that requires more work and prep than using the SWI.

[freesia]

It depends.

 

The problem I see around here (the forums and irl) is that when folks don't do the TWSS, they don't "get" the program. They tend to get stuck in Units 1 and 2 (Key word outlines) and don't have a sense that they really are working toward original writing. They also tend to add the dress-ups "as directed" without knowing that Pudewa says to only add when the others are easy (cross others off the list). Then they quit bc it is too overwhelming and writing is taking too long.

 

If you know others who are doing IEW, if you buy the overview disc, if you really feel you "get" the program and are willing to ask others if you get stuck, then go ahead. I would also highly recommend that you watch the videos with your child.

 

We love, love, love IEW here. I was fortunate enough to borrow the TWSS, though, so I don't know what I would have done if we hadn't been able to do that.

[happyWImom]

We're using IEW right now and the SWI has only 15 lessons. There are reinforcement lessons in between, so you can stretch it out, but I don't see how just that could last a school year. You'd need to add to it, and in the SWI material they recommend adding lessons based on units in TWSS, if you're not going to buy a SICC course.

 

I know just what you mean about things that are too complicated not getting done. I have a 2 yr old who never sleeps and am in a time in my life that I just don't even have the brain power or patience to plow through a ton of info and learn a "system." I have changed to a lot of things that don't require me to plan anything, like Sequential Spelling dvds and Evan-Moor paragraph editing. We have used WWE 1-4 and I bought WWS but just couldn't seem to get it off the ground at this time, so I gave in and bought IEW.

 

The TWSS is kind of one of those complicated things. There are many dvds and they are very long. And I find learning w dvds frustrating, because I have to listen to all the jokes and side remarks that make it take so long when my time is so limited, before I get to the meat. So I just started my kids on the SWI anyway and I think there's enough info in there for the teacher that we're fine. But, I'm going to have to find time to watch TWSS before my kids are through with the SWI, or we won't have enough material for the year. And it makes it a little hard that I kind of have to write my own units after this, though the IEW method is pretty simple really.

 

So, imo, yes you can use the SWI w out the TWSS, but eventually you'll need to watch the TWSS to continue w IEW. Many people recommend buying TWSS only if trying to save money, and learning the philosophy and then making units from that. But that requires more work and prep than using the SWI.

 

 

Oh, I didn't realize that the SWI didn't cover a year. So, if you have SWI-A, you don't then automatically move on to B? The SWI is just a sort of jump start, then you come up with your own lessons? (Not a fan of coming up w/my own lessons!)

[happyWImom]

It depends.

 

The problem I see around here (the forums and irl) is that when folks don't do the TWSS, they don't "get" the program. They tend to get stuck in Units 1 and 2 (Key word outlines) and don't have a sense that they really are working toward original writing. They also tend to add the dress-ups "as directed" without knowing that Pudewa says to only add when the others are easy (cross others off the list). Then they quit bc it is too overwhelming and writing is taking too long.

 

If you know others who are doing IEW, if you buy the overview disc, if you really feel you "get" the program and are willing to ask others if you get stuck, then go ahead. I would also highly recommend that you watch the videos with your child.

 

We love, love, love IEW here. I was fortunate enough to borrow the TWSS, though, so I don't know what I would have done if we hadn't been able to do that.

 

I do see what you're saying, and I did call & speak w/someone at IEW, and she recommended that I stay one dvd ahead (using TWSS) of the student & what they are doing in SWI.

 

How do you find writing/coming up with your own lessons? Or do you use TWSS as a guide, and then purchase, say, the Theme Writing?

 

I guess I'm still a little confused as to how all of this fits together.

[freesia]

 

Oh, I didn't realize that the SWI didn't cover a year. So, if you have SWI-A, you don't then automatically move on to B? The SWI is just a sort of jump start, then you come up with your own lessons? (Not a fan of coming up w/my own lessons!)

The SWI can absolutely cover a year, if you want it to. The main "plan" is a 30 week plan. (Look at the sample on the website, it shows the 30 week schedule) You have the option of compacting the schedule and get it done quicker if you want. But you do not have to and I have friends who did it over a full year with great results. The point is to get your child writing daily. Spreading it over a year does that. If you have other things you want to use (for example, if you use a curriculum that integrates writing and hope to start using that) then you can compact but you do not have to do that.

 

I don't remember the age of your child but after any SWI you go to a Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course. You do not do another SWI, it would be repetitive. So, you would do SWI-A, then SICC-A (or B, if your child is in 7th or 8th grade). In middle school, you'd do SICC-B and then later, in highschool, you would do SICC-C.

[boscopup]

SWI-A is 30 weeks (or 15 weeks if you choose). Each lesson is scheduled to last 2 weeks with reinforcements.

 

You do NOT do SWI-B after A. You would move to SICC. Look on the magalog. They have a 2 page spread that shows the paths you can take.

 

TWSS can be used by itself of you just want to use your existing subjects for writing. For example, if you are reading book in history, you could select a passage from that book to write from. Pick something one a week from any subject, and add techniques as your child becomes ready for them.

 

Honestly, after watching TWSS, I didn't feel like I needed SWI-A, except for unit 3 (retelling a story), which I ended up still struggling with anyway (I understood the one he went over on the DVD, but the ones after that I didn't understand how they got those outlines). So I really should have just done TWSS. I plan to finish up SWI-A next year in 4th grade (having done half of it in 3rd), and then I'll use TWSS across curriculum until he's ready for WWS. I'm also using WWE and R&S English. R&S fits in well with what we've learned in IEW.

[happyWImom]

SWI-A is 30 weeks (or 15 weeks if you choose). Each lesson is scheduled to last 2 weeks with reinforcements.

 

You do NOT do SWI-B after A. You would move to SICC. Look on the magalog. They have a 2 page spread that shows the paths you can take.

 

TWSS can be used by itself of you just want to use your existing subjects for writing. For example, if you are reading book in history, you could select a passage from that book to write from. Pick something one a week from any subject, and add techniques as your child becomes ready for them.

 

Honestly, after watching TWSS, I didn't feel like I needed SWI-A, except for unit 3 (retelling a story), which I ended up still struggling with anyway (I understood the one he went over on the DVD, but the ones after that I didn't understand how they got those outlines). So I really should have just done TWSS. I plan to finish up SWI-A next year in 4th grade (having done half of it in 3rd), and then I'll use TWSS across curriculum until he's ready for WWS. I'm also using WWE and R&S English. R&S fits in well with what we've learned in IEW.

 

 

I'm glad to hear that you are using WWE & R&S English, because I am happy w/both, especially R&S. Maybe my best bet is to just purchase TWSS. Can I move through it slowly? For instance, did you watch a dvd (or part of a dvd) and then implement a lesson with your dc?

 

Sorry for all of these questions that may seem simple, but I feel like I have been on my laptop for days looking at samples, and reviews, and my head is swimming.

[freesia]

 

I do see what you're saying, and I did call & speak w/someone at IEW, and she recommended that I stay one dvd ahead (using TWSS) of the student & what they are doing in SWI.

 

How do you find writing/coming up with your own lessons? Or do you use TWSS as a guide, and then purchase, say, the Theme Writing?

 

I guess I'm still a little confused as to how all of this fits together.

 

Writing comes up in my own lessons bc when we did SWI-B we were using Sonlight and they have a Language Arts Program. I did the SWI-B in 18 weeks and then switched to Sonlight, using IEW techniques and checklists that I made, to do the assignments. Now we are using Tapestry of Grace, and it has weekly assignments. We are doing SICC-B over the entire year so may only do a few assignments at the end of the year.

 

For my second child, I do things a bit differently. She is a willing writer so we are more free form. I loosely follow TOG assignments and make sure she cycles through the IEW units over the year. I am more relaxed with her about the dress-ups, etc. bc she is naturally good with words.

 

You could easily use the TWSS as a guide and purchase the Theme Writing. We used the Ancient History lessons last year. My ds LOVES listening to A Pudewa, however. And since the SWI-B took him from a child who ended up on the floor wailing during every writing lesson to a child who, no kidding, willingly and sometimes enthusiastically, does his writing I am happy to buy the SICC. The very first lesson ds jumped right up and wanted to get started.

 

You could also just buy theTWSS and do your own program. The TWSS consists of 9 units that you cycle through yearly. You spend about a month on each unit. Originally, parents were to use the TWSS and pull source material from history, lit and science. It isn't hard, it's just nice to have the motivating factor of A. Pudewa (if your child likes him) or the organizing factor of the Theme writing.

[freesia]

 

I'm glad to hear that you are using WWE & R&S English, because I am happy w/both, especially R&S. Maybe my best bet is to just purchase TWSS. Can I move through it slowly? For instance, did you watch a dvd (or part of a dvd) and then implement a lesson with your dc?

 

Sorry for all of these questions that may seem simple, but I feel like I have been on my laptop for days looking at samples, and reviews, and my head is swimming.

 

Yes, you could move slowly through it. Just don't get stuck in Units 1 and 2 (making keyword outlines from sentences). Also join the IEW Families yahoo group for tons of support.

[mschickie]

We are currently using SWI-A this year and I do not have TWSS. I have just been watching the DVD with dd and using the lesson teacher's plan. We have had no problems so far, I can see what they are teaching. We have been moving at a pace that is some what between the 15 and the 30 week. I know some folks who are actually doing the plan over 2 years because they have some reluctant writers involved. I really like the way the program teaches the kids to build a foundation with their writing. Before doing IEW dd was writing multi-paragraph stories but now we just do one paragraph at a time. The kids focus on including different aspects in the paragraph, quality over quantity. I am really looking forward to doing SWCC-A next year.

[happyWImom]

What you are currently using is enough and will get you where you need to be in time. Save you money for other things.

 

 

 

Thank you for that. I am always second guessing myself, and it is hard to think that it will all come together. I see the years flying by and think "Are we getting behind? Next year dd will be in 6th grade!"

[mschickie]

Have you tried looking for used copies of the dvds? That is how I purchased my copy of SWI-A. You can save quite a few dollars sometimes if you find a good deal. If your child is going into 6th grade next year you could probably do SWI-B if you found a good deal on that for next year instead of looking at SWI-A for now.

[happyWImom]

Have you tried looking for used copies of the dvds? That is how I purchased my copy of SWI-A. You can save quite a few dollars sometimes if you find a good deal. If your child is going into 6th grade next year you could probably do SWI-B if you found a good deal on that for next year instead of looking at SWI-A for now.

 

Typically, I buy used, but I do like IEW's guarantee. At least I won't be throwing money down the drain if it doesn't work & I can send it back. I recently started a post on here about reselling stuff, and how the classifieds on here have really gone down. So I'm not sure if it's better to buy used & save, especially if I can't end up reselling it!