IEW/TOG Questions

[Christy B]

IEW is the *only* writing method that "connected" with my dd. She took a writing co-op class in sixth grade that utilized this method and that was the first year that she actually wrote in complete sentences and seemed to have a clue about the writing process. In seventh grade, we hit a major wall trying to use writing assignments out of a Scott Foresman textbook; so mid-year, a dear friend took over tutoring and had my dd do writing assignments along with her dd; they were from TOG but if I'm not mistaken, that uses a similar approach to IEW. (Is that right?)

 

Anyway -- here's my question -- I see that IEW has subject specific writing programs. For example, I LOVE the idea of their Life Science writing.

 

Would this work? I'm thinking for each year of h.s. English, we could choose a literature program, a grammar program, and use an IEW Writing program.

 

For example, for 9th grade, we'd like to use Literary Lessons from Lord of the Rings (literature); dd has requested to continue with Abeka grammar; and we could use the Life Science IEW (and do biology for science). For 10th grade, we might do Notgrass World History (literature); Abeka grammar; and an IEW history themed program.

 

The other option I would consider is just using TOG -- picking and choosing and coordinating history, literature, and writing is fun but a lot of work. Would TOG writing give the same sort of hand-holding, very specific, detailed writing instruction that we would find in IEW?

 

I should also add that I really, really don't see the need for dd to pursue creative writing. (I think this was why Writing Strands did not go over well with her). I just don't see a lot of benefit in struggling through writing poetry, plays, etc, when she needs SO much help mastering the basic essay. She plans to go into nursing or a practical science -- our focus for high school is learning to do the sort of writing that she will need for college.

[Christy B]

Bueller . . . Bueller . . .

[Quiver0f10]

We use TOG , R&S for grammar and IEW themed writing books. This year we are doing TOG year 1 with IEW's Ancient History based Writing and it is going well. The topics don't always match up, but thats fine. The kids are learning to write, it's easy for me to implement and it is actually getting done. IEW is the first writing program we have stuck with.

[Laurie4b]

TOG is similar to IEW only in that they both set the expectation that there will be rewrites of the compositions.

 

IEW is much more specific in the steps it gives. However, if you are going to use it, you need the main program with the DVD's so that you can learn the method. The main program will teach you how to adapt their method to ALL subject areas, and really, a high school student needs to be writing constantly-- in English, history, science, etc. Some people like the extra programs so they don't have to think of topics, but thinking of topics is not particularly difficult. (TOG suggests topics, so that is one way that you could combine the programs.)

 

I don't think IEW in Life Science would be enough for high school level writing. For one thing, it only covers one subject; for another, "Life Science" is a designation given to middle school biology, not to high school level biology, so their assignments might need to be adjusted anyway.

[Christy B]

Oh, I see. Hm. Back to the drawing board, then.

 

Thanks so much for the responses, you saved me from going too far down the wrong rabbit trail!