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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Feb 28 2006 at 6:25am | IP Logged
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Does anybody use IEW and if so, can you tell me a little about it? I'm thinking about it for next year for my 12yo. He really struggles with writing, and I think he's the type of learner that needs things pretty much layed out for him. I'm wondering if IEW is the answer. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Becky
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Karen T
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| Posted: Feb 28 2006 at 11:27pm | IP Logged
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I'll be watching for answers b/c I am in exactly the same boat - have a 12 yo ds who wants things laid out exactly, and am looking at IEW!
There is an email loop for people using it or those interested - you can find it by going to the IEW website and clicking on support, etc. I've just joined but am going to be no-mail through Lent if possible.
Karen T
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mom3aut1not
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| Posted: March 01 2006 at 4:25pm | IP Logged
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Becky and Karen,
I love IEW's Teaching Writing: Structure and Style. It really helped my kids know what to do when starting writing. I haven't made them do all the stylistic elements, but the whole program helped them immensely. First of all, they didn't have to dream up content while trying to compose. Secondly, as I used paragraphs, sections,or chapters from their history books, it helped to reinforce history study. They learned how to write a paragraph from the paragraphs of others, how to take notes, how to summarize, and that at least two drafts of any writing is to be expected.
I should add that I emphasized certain units more than others. I have autistic kids, and I focused on what I considered essential. The nonautistic kid I used it with wound up taking off on writing, and writes reviews online. (She had written stories before, but her essays and short papers were ... horrible. They were completely unorganized, unfocused, and incoherent.)
I guess I should add that I plan to use it with my 6 yo ds when he can write. (He too is autistic, and his language skills are delayed.)
In Christ,
Deborah
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Karen T
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| Posted: March 01 2006 at 8:58pm | IP Logged
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Deborah,
Do you use only the Teacher's program (Structure and Style) or have you used any of the Student Intensive Workshops also? I'm about sold on at least the S&S but if you order both at the same time there is a little discount; I'm just not sure if I should spring for the SIW also.
Karen
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mom3aut1not
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| Posted: March 01 2006 at 9:22pm | IP Logged
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Karen,
I have used only S & S; I am not sure the Student Intensive Workshops were available when I bought it originally. As for whether the SIWs are woth it, that will depend on your time and energy, your budget, and whether you are using the program with other people. (Mr. Pudewa totally accepts the idea that people will share the dvd's. He does ask that each family have its own workbook for the programs that have them. I wouldn't have wanted the SIWs in the past, but I could see using it with one of my daughters (18 yo) who wants to work independently of me and has done some of it already.
Have you seen the new program for literature? I just got it, but I haven't seen it yet. (My son's godfather died recently in tragic circumstances, and our sidden trip to MI took precedence.)
In Christ,
Deborah
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: March 02 2006 at 5:23am | IP Logged
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Deborah,
Can you talk a little about what is involved with S&S? I was under the impression that SIW was the one to get. Now I'm a little confused. I guess I was thinking, originally, that if we went the IEW route we would get the SIW and view the lessons together. Then ds would work on the assignments. What do you think?
Becky
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mom3aut1not
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| Posted: March 02 2006 at 9:20am | IP Logged
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Becky,
S&S involves watching the dvd's and doing the assignments -- *you* do them, to get an idea of how the program works. Then you start using the ideas with your children. You select some paragraphs from science or history at or slightly below their readling levels. (I had a whole bunch of such paragraphs saved somewhere....) and start them making key word outlines. You may have to guide them a bit, but it is important to keep in mind that key word outlines do differ from person to person. (I was working with two autistic girls so I had to work on this for a bit.) Then when the kids can do the key word outlines fairly well, you start on the summaries. This is very important, and it is a really good way to reinforce learning as well as learn how to write from a source without plagerizing. Then you may introduce a style element. You keep on advancing by increments. Doing the program should take quite a while -- years in the case of elementary students, one to two years for older students imo.
I have never used the SWI dvds so take what I say with a grain or so of salt. The advantage of the SWIs is that you don't have to do the teacher program (although it would still be beneficial I believe) and can just pop in the dvd's and the teaching is provided for you. The disadvantages are greater cost and the facts that the students' assignments do not connect to their studies initially. If you want to integrate IEW's program after the SWIs are done, you would need to see and work through the dvd's. Upon reflection, the SWIs seem like a good way for people who hesitate to jump in to get started or for people with limited time and energy.
All I can say for sure is that S&S was worth every penny for my family.
In Christ,
Deborah
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: March 02 2006 at 9:36am | IP Logged
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Thanks Deborah!
That was very helpful - exactly the information I have been looking for!
Becky
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: IEW
