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MarilynW
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I have not yet found a writing program that I like - next year I will have a sixth grader and two third graders. Has anyone got any opinions on the following:
- IEW
- Writers Jungle/Bravewriter Arrow etc
- Lingua Mater
- Stories with a View
- Writeshop
Thanks.
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Marilyn
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Molly Smith
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Thanks for asking this question, Marilyn. Next year I'll also have a sixth grader, and a fourth and second who really meet in the middle and work together. We've largely ignored any formal writing...and it shows  .
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Molly Smith in VA
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Becky Parker
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Well, FWIW, my ds who has always had a distaste for writing, loves IEW. It is rather expensive and pretty intensive as far as time goes (IMHO) but it's the only thing I've tried that he actually takes to. I think it's because he thinks the man (I can't remember his name) on the DVD is funny and my ds seems motivated by him. I don't know if my dd will like IEW when she gets a little older or not. I think she is more of a Lingua Mater kinda kid but she's a little young yet (2nd grade). It sure would be nice, and less expensive, if I could find something that they all will like, but they are all so very different!
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Becky
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Carole N.
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I started using Writeshop this year. I had been using IEW in a group situation before and since I did not own the materials, I was looking for a program. A friend recommended it to me.
It is a very structured program. You decide how quickly you will proceed through it. We do one lesson every two weeks (or at least we try to). It sets up for the entire writing process--from brainstorming right to the final draft. That is one of the features that I like about it, its emphasis on the process.
The children's notebooks have all the materials necessary--brainstorming pages, checklists. The teachers notebook contains a lot of material and it takes a bit to get used to the organization. But I guess everyone organizes differently.
We used Lingua Mater last year, and I really loved it. But my children were struggling a bit with some of the concepts. It is a bit less structured than Writeshop. The reason that I selected Writeshop is for the structure. It is very clear what you are to include in each writing assignment, there is a checklist, and the teacher reviews with the child at each step of the process. This is not as clear cut in Lingua Mater (at least not to me).
I do hope to go back to Lingua Mater in the future, but I thought that I needed to make the whole process clear to my dc. I used to teach journalism and English at the hs level, but it was a real struggle to teach it to my dc.
I hope this helps you make a decision.
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 Carole ... in Wales
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ElizLeone
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We just began using IEW a couple months ago, so my experience with the program is quite limited. However, I like what I see so far. My 10-year-old and 8-year-old girls do it together, and you should hear them giggling when Andrew, the DVD teacher, does his instruction. He is a funny guy and they are well-entertained. So far, we've been using the DVD only every week or two. In between DVD lesson viewings, they do exercises which, so far, consist of taking notes from a written paragraph and using those key word notes to rewrite a similar --sometimes embellished-- paragraph. From what I can see so far, it is well done and effective. It came highly recommended to me by two other homeschool families who are sold on it. Without their endorsement, I would have been afraid to invest in the program, as it is a bit pricey.
I also like Wordsmith Apprentice series from Wordshop.
We tried Writing Strands in the past and did not care for it at all.
Hope this helps!
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Elizabeth in Wisconsin
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lapazfarm
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LOVE Writers Jungle/Bravewriter. We had quite a long thread on it awhile back. I will see if I can dig it up.
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MarilynW
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Thanks for the suggestions - I need to find someone local who uses the programs and look at them. IEW and Writers Jungle are big budget items - so I need to be sure they are suitable.
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Marilyn
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kjohnson
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I've struggled with IEW because it's hard for me to come up with writing models for multiple kids. And I just couldn't figure out Writers Jungle logistically. (Wanna buy mine? I'll cut ya a deal?  )
I'm reading The Latin-Centered Curriculum right now for some fresh ideas and ordered this tonight:
Classical Writing
I can't formally recommend it just yet, but it looks very interesting.
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Katherine
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mariB
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Katherine,
With the way you write, we would love to hear your suggestions! I know you are doing a handwriting or copywork series which looks lovely.
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marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
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guitarnan
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We're using Jensen's Format Writing for Grade 9. (It was recommended in CHC's High School of Your Dreams.) It is really perfect for my son. We are taking it very slowly, and will probably do half the book this year and half next. It focuses on writing various kinds of paragraphs and then the five-paragraph essay.
I really like Bravewriter, too (we used that last year) but my son just, well, didn't. He's a non-fiction, no-shades-of-grey kind of guy.
He doesn't like writing much at all, but his writing has really, really improved this year. I'm sure it's the Format Writing exercises. IMHO, this book would be perfect for high school, perhaps for grade 8. It's probably a little too dry for younger students.
Hope this helps.
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Carole N.
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Nancy, thanks for that information. I also have that book, but have yet to (gulp) open it. My dc are 8th and 6th grade level, and writing is the one item I really struggle with (you'd think it would be easy since I used to be a tech writer and a journalism teacher). 
I second Marianne on hearing what Katherine has to say. She writes so beautifully.
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fsuadamson
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I have to second Theresa. We absolutely *love* the Bravewriter program. We used many of the arrow list books last year before reading and using the ideas from her book "The Writers Jungle". 
In my personal experience and opinion, I found this program compared to many of the others out there on the market i.e. write source, IEW, etc) more user friendly and just takes on a much more *natural* approach to the process of writing. I think it compliments Elizabeth's section in her book (Real Learning) beautifully!!
If anyone is interested I just wrote up several postings on my blog in regards to my new found appreciation and discoveries on this writing program.
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TracyQ
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My boys have done the best writing with three resources so far.....the Wordsmith series (Wordsmith Apprentice, etc.), IEW, and now Format Writing (during High School) which has been an excellent resource for us).
Our 6th grade daughter likes IEW, and I think we'll continue with that for her. I may have her do Wordsmith Apprentice as well, and some Lingua Mater. I have them all!
Our oldest is in 11th grade, and is on chapter 22 of the novel he's been writing all year. He loves writing, and his essay writing has improved tremendously! Wordsmith Apprentice, I think has been our very favorite thus far. 
Hope this helps!
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Karen T
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MarilynW wrote:
| Thanks for the suggestions - I need to find someone local who uses the programs and look at them. IEW and Writers Jungle are big budget items - so I need to be sure they are suitable. |
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I *think* IEW comes with a money-back guarantee. you can order it and try it and send it back (check the website or call one of the reps and ask but I think that is their policy)
also, one thing that sold me on IEW is that it can be re-sold for almost full price. There are two yahoo lists for IEW - one for users and one for people selling/buying used sets and they always go quickly. I tried to get a used one but kept missing out so finally bought mine new. If you do buy it used, you can buy the student notebook separately and there are also lots of downloadable files for extra help. I think there is a link to the yahoo group on IEW's website.
Karen T
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BrendaPeter
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kjohnson wrote:
I'm reading The Latin-Centered Curriculum right now for some fresh ideas and ordered this tonight:
Classical Writing
I can't formally recommend it just yet, but it looks very interesting. |
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I'm not sure which one you bought Katherine but I would have sold you Aesop B used but in perfect condition!!!! It's a great program just decided to go with Seton's reading/writing course. I needed something that didn't involve mom quite as much.
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Erin
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ElizLeone wrote:
We tried Writing Strands in the past and did not care for it at all.
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Elizabeth,
What didn't you like about Writing Strands?
Katherine,
I would also be interested in what you think of the Classical Writing
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Erin
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ElizLeone
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Erin wrote:
[QUOTE=ElizLeone]
We tried Writing Strands in the past and did not care for it at all.
Elizabeth,
What didn't you like about Writing Strands? |
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I think for me, the problem was that the author tried to talk directly to the students. However, the somewhat "jokey" tone didn't really work for them. I had to explain things, which is fine, but the approach seemed too distracting to me and to the kids. It seemed like we were always wading through the kind of funky directions to figure out what the author was getting at. I think I just prefer a more clean, direct approach in terms of directions and layout. My experience was with level 3 and one other... I'm trying to remember now if that was level 2 or level 4...
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Erin
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Thanks for that Elizabeth, that helps alot. I'm not a funky person either.
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Erin
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ALmom
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I just put together plans for my 5th grader and 7th grader. Both have struggled with writing and IEW in co-op helped them but we don't have access to it this year and cannot afford to buy the expensive program now. What really impressed me were the Novel Inquiries. I think those explain just what needs to be done and seem to gently lead them with questions in terms of writing a good essay for content area. That will be our writing program next year - focusing on some of their favorite subjects for the actual content.
Janet
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Rebecca
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Elizabeth,
We had the very same opinion of and experience with Writing Strands. It was very hard to follow because the author tried to joke around too much and in a confusing way. It was very distracting.
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Writing
