mamamoose Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Can someone explain IEW to me? Thinking about it for next year for my soon to be 4th grader, but I'm not sure if I should go all-in or just look at grammar and writing. It looks pricey but she loves to write and I am having a hard time getting her to expand her horizons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 http://visionarywomanhood.com/demystifying-institute-excellence-writing/This isn't my blog, but I like the post. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamamoose Posted March 12, 2016 Author Share Posted March 12, 2016 That was excellent! Thank you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freedom Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 The blog pretty much covers what you asked so I'll just add my 2 cents...they have a forum and a yahoo group that is moderated by their staff who answer any questions you might have and it is very helpful. I recommend going all in with IEW...even consider their poetry memorization program. In their "magalog" (magazine and catalog), there is a pathway graphic that gives you options for how to jump in and what pathway of products to follow...you may have seen that already. 😀 We love IEW...it is a gem of homeschool curricula! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paigerama Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Thank you for asking this question! That blog post was so helpful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamamoose Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 So do I "go all in" with curriculum? The whole 9 yards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 So do I "go all in" with curriculum? The whole 9 yards?Yes! Who needs groceries anyway? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 (edited) I use IEW DVD writing courses, poetry memorization, and (for my older kids, as a supplement) Fix It. We have seen impressive results after using the writing courses for the last five years. I don't agree with IEW's view about teaching grammar, so I use alternate resources for that subject. I have also never tried the spelling. In other words, you can be successful using some parts of IEW without using others. Edited March 13, 2016 by Mrs Twain 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamamoose Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 What is the problem with their view on grammar? We are using easy grammar and I find it useless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Andrew Pudewa doesn't believe in explicit grammar instruction. I have been using R&S English for grammar instruction starting in 2nd grade. I am very thankful that I did because I am seeing the fruit of our labor. My 7th grade son is taking a German class, and understanding the grammar has been crucial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Fix-It Grammar has been pretty awesome here. May be a difference in learning/teaching style, though, since some really prefer a much heavier, more detailed grammar program right from the beginning. FIX-It starts out very gently, using real world literature with very short lessons, but by book 6 it has ramped up considerably. DD loves it and is retaining and applying what she is learning. Easy to slow down or accelerate. You can take a book a year or a semester. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCF612 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 So am I correctly understanding that you get the SWI for your child's current level but then in the future just continue applying the taught techniques? In other words if I buy A now I never have to buy B or C I just continue the techniques for writing in other subjects each year thereafter? And using other products like the theme books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 So am I correctly understanding that you get the SWI for your child's current level but then in the future just continue applying the taught techniques? In other words if I buy A now I never have to buy B or C I just continue the techniques for writing in other subjects each year thereafter? And using other products like the theme books? You are correct. You do not go on to SWI B or C after A. There is a continuation writing program program and the themed books and other stuff but SWI A B and C are the same, just desinged for different ages/stages. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCF612 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Thanks! That is something I didn't realize. I thought it was really expensive if you had to buy A,B, and C. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnlikelyHomeschoolingMama Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Can I piggy back on this post? I have just received SWI A for my soon to be 3rd grader. She is a natural writer...writes ALL THE TIME, so I want to start some formal instruction for her after doing WWE 1 and WWE 2. I did not buy TWSS. I was just going to watch the overview DVD and then pre-watch the lessons before my daughter. Will that be enough? I can probably borrow the TWSS DVDs from somebody but would I need my own "workbook"? I'm just looking for opinions on what is really necessary. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebastianCat Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 My kids did SWI-A together when they were in 5th and 3rd grades. I did purchase TWSS but quickly realized that I didn't really need it, so I sold it. I just watched the SWI videos with the kids. They did the SWCC-A the following two years (it could be condensed into one year but is written to be used for two years). Now my 8th grade DS is doing the Rockets/Radar/Robotics theme book, while my 6th grade DD switched to Jump In. We have never used anything else from IEW except writing, but it has been excellent for my kids. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I really like IEW. If you happen to have a Paypal credit account you can buy it on Rainbow (same price) and Paypal does 6 months interest free financing for anything over 99 dollars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I really like IEW. If you happen to have a Paypal credit account you can buy it on Rainbow (same price) and Paypal does 6 months interest free financing for anything over 99 dollars. Sorry to sidetrack the conversation, but you really like IEW, Sparkly Unicorn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamamoose Posted March 15, 2016 Author Share Posted March 15, 2016 So my dd is going into 5th grade but reads at a 7th grade level. She probably does not write at a 7th grade level, however. My other two children are not ready for level A yet (dyslexic going into 3rd grade and another going into 1st). I am wondering where to start my 5th grader--tempted to go with B but don't want to overwhelm her either. What exactly is the difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zarabellesmom Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 My daughter is 10 and did A as a 5th grader this year. She is an advanced reader, but not an advanced writer (probably a behind writer). It was a good fit for her, and we did it double time instead of using it for a full year. We are starting the continuation course A now, and I feel like it was a good fit. If your daughter already writes at a 5th grade level, B might be a great fit. Pulling sentences out of my daughter is like pulling teeth, so starting small and building on it over 15 weeks or so was a big confidence boost for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StartingOver Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 I went with SWI-A for my children that will be in 3rd and 5th in the fall. Combining when possible makes my life easier. I purchased TWSS at the same time, which has extra handouts. My son is pure boy and daughter is pure girl, so far the extra stories have been amazing, we started early. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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