Hi Ashley! We met at the Breeze retreat and I just wanted to pop in and say that I watched your video AND we are homeschooling again this year (I think we are commited for the long haul). I hope you and Pretzel Josh are well! Blessings! :)
Thank you this was helpful! We started using Fix-it-Grammar with my 5th and 6th grader this year and have enjoyed it overall. I have been trying to decide if the IEW writing would be a good fit for our next school year. I do have a couple of questions about the writing curriculum: 1. What grade did you start using it? And do you have to start with Structure and Style regardless of their grade level? 2. Have your kids ever used the video lessons? Do you think your daughter would find it as enjoyable if she were doing video lessons vs. in person? 3. Do they ever get bored with the repetitiveness? Just curious for someone who typically enjoys writing..do you find this engaging enough? One of my kids will be 7th grade next year and I would say she is naturally a good writer, but I’m struggling with finding something to give her a little more structure. We had tried another writing curriculum this year but there were so many rules and instructions that she started shutting down and was not enjoying it at all. We had shelved it early in the school year and I have been searching for something else. Thank you so much! 🙂
Sorry for the late reply!! But thanks for asking! Great questions 😊 First, here’s a video where I talk about when to start writing instruction: ruclips.net/video/_-v6fdT7wIY/видео.htmlsi=3-cPrLOrPJlItnkL 1. I recommend 4th at the earliest (for ready writers), but waiting until 5th or 6th grade even. 2. My son did the video lessons. I talk about it in the video above and in another video on my channel. I liked the way Mr. Puduwa teaches. He’s funny! It’s a long class though to do via video, so we broke it up for my son. Set a timer for 20-30 minutes, and that’s all he did each day he did writing. 3. As far as the repetition, it’s not always fun, but the topics change up a bit to keep it interesting. I also don’t always use it every week for my 5th Grader. We take breaks. My 7th grader doesn’t get a lot of breaks, though, but I’ve seen her grow as a student and as a writer because of this.
I was really interested in IEW, but it seems like everyone says it probably takes 45m to an hour. I just don’t think my son could do that. He struggles through our current program when it takes 30m.
Oh, I get it! My son doesn’t either! We break the lessons up. We set a timer for 20 minutes, he works for that time as far as he gets, then he stops. Next time he does the lesson he picks up where he left off. Making him do the whole lesson at one time would be torture! 😆😃 (This is just writing by the way, and I assume that’s what you are talking about).
Do you have a video on doing a Phonetic Zoo lesson like “Do a Lesson with Us” type thing? I’m using this with my son next year (he’s 6th grade right now) and I’d like to see how the lessons flow.
I don't have a specific video on it yet! I can try to get one up by the in the next few months. It's pretty simple, though! I did a lesson with them two times, now they just do it themselves.
How do you suggest we should start this curriculum? I have the Structure and Style bundle #1 Level A for my middle & high scholler. Should they start watching the DVD's, there are like 10 DVD's!
Thank you. My daughters are in 5/6th and I want to start them with this. Please tell me what to buy I’m so confused lol. I can check their work but what do I buy??
Great video! Lots of great info! In your opinion, do you think the theme-based writing, fix it grammar and the spelling program would make a complete language arts program for elementary students??
Yes, definitely! One thing though is I would make sure to add readers… Either read the books from the book list included with the theme based writing, or have your own books picked out 😄
For 7th grade, using structure and style for the very first time for us, which level should I start with? I am thinking of doing the teaching s and s course, but want the s & s program with streaming so it can be as independent as possible. But I have no idea which one to start with for 7th.
Great question! IEW has an info graphic on their website that is super helpful with deciding this. Check it out here: storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/IEW_Pathway.pdf. I would recommend S & S 1B for your kiddo’s age and level. But that’s at first glance 😊
Would you say that IEW's grammar has to be paired with their writing program? I am enjoying our current grammar curriculum and I would like to keep using it. However if there is a benefit of working on both IEW's grammar and writing at the same time then I would like to know your opinion
No, they don't have to paired. While they do pair well, they both do not need each other to be used at the same time. You can use just the writing, or you could use just the Grammar. Sticking with the grammar you like would totally be fine!
I would maybe start with Fix it Grammar, the first level. As far as the writing goes, I recommend waiting until 4th or 5th or even 6th Grade before starting the writing. In 2nd and 3rd grade we focus on copywork, handwriting, and oral narration (telling back what they read or heard) instead of writing. Well, we also use “Imitation Writing” for my 3rd Grader and we love it! Super simple, but still writing practice. :)
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Hi Ashley! We met at the Breeze retreat and I just wanted to pop in and say that I watched your video AND we are homeschooling again this year (I think we are commited for the long haul). I hope you and Pretzel Josh are well! Blessings! :)
Thank you this was helpful! We started using Fix-it-Grammar with my 5th and 6th grader this year and have enjoyed it overall. I have been trying to decide if the IEW writing would be a good fit for our next school year. I do have a couple of questions about the writing curriculum:
1. What grade did you start using it? And do you have to start with Structure and Style regardless of their grade level?
2. Have your kids ever used the video lessons? Do you think your daughter would find it as enjoyable if she were doing video lessons vs. in person?
3. Do they ever get bored with the repetitiveness? Just curious for someone who typically enjoys writing..do you find this engaging enough?
One of my kids will be 7th grade next year and I would say she is naturally a good writer, but I’m struggling with finding something to give her a little more structure. We had tried another writing curriculum this year but there were so many rules and instructions that she started shutting down and was not enjoying it at all. We had shelved it early in the school year and I have been searching for something else.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Sorry for the late reply!! But thanks for asking! Great questions 😊
First, here’s a video where I talk about when to start writing instruction:
ruclips.net/video/_-v6fdT7wIY/видео.htmlsi=3-cPrLOrPJlItnkL
1. I recommend 4th at the earliest (for ready writers), but waiting until 5th or 6th grade even.
2. My son did the video lessons. I talk about it in the video above and in another video on my channel. I liked the way Mr. Puduwa teaches. He’s funny! It’s a long class though to do via video, so we broke it up for my son. Set a timer for 20-30 minutes, and that’s all he did each day he did writing.
3. As far as the repetition, it’s not always fun, but the topics change up a bit to keep it interesting. I also don’t always use it every week for my 5th Grader. We take breaks. My 7th grader doesn’t get a lot of breaks, though, but I’ve seen her grow as a student and as a writer because of this.
Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together. Very well explained.
Glad it was helpful!
I was really interested in IEW, but it seems like everyone says it probably takes 45m to an hour. I just don’t think my son could do that. He struggles through our current program when it takes 30m.
Oh, I get it! My son doesn’t either! We break the lessons up. We set a timer for 20 minutes, he works for that time as far as he gets, then he stops. Next time he does the lesson he picks up where he left off.
Making him do the whole lesson at one time would be torture! 😆😃 (This is just writing by the way, and I assume that’s what you are talking about).
Do you have a video on doing a Phonetic Zoo lesson like “Do a Lesson with Us” type thing? I’m using this with my son next year (he’s 6th grade right now) and I’d like to see how the lessons flow.
I don't have a specific video on it yet! I can try to get one up by the in the next few months. It's pretty simple, though! I did a lesson with them two times, now they just do it themselves.
I would love to see this too!
This was great! Thank you for sharing ❤
How do you suggest we should start this curriculum? I have the Structure and Style bundle #1 Level A for my middle & high scholler. Should they start watching the DVD's, there are like 10 DVD's!
So many of us homeschool moms named Ashley 😂especially on RUclips!
😂 So true! It was a popular 80s name... I'm one of the Ash'LEY' Ashley's, though 😉
Thank you. My daughters are in 5/6th and I want to start them with this. Please tell me what to buy I’m so confused lol. I can check their work but what do I buy??
I would recommend getting Structure and Style Level A Year 1.
Great video! Lots of great info! In your opinion, do you think the theme-based writing, fix it grammar and the spelling program would make a complete language arts program for elementary students??
Yes, definitely! One thing though is I would make sure to add readers… Either read the books from the book list included with the theme based writing, or have your own books picked out 😄
@JoyfulNoiseLiving thank you so much! That helps me make decisions for next year!
For 7th grade, using structure and style for the very first time for us, which level should I start with? I am thinking of doing the teaching s and s course, but want the s & s program with streaming so it can be as independent as possible. But I have no idea which one to start with for 7th.
Great question! IEW has an info graphic on their website that is super helpful with deciding this. Check it out here: storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/IEW_Pathway.pdf. I would recommend S & S 1B for your kiddo’s age and level. But that’s at first glance 😊
I loved diagramming and hated writing as a kid. 😂
😆😆 That’s awesome
Would you say that IEW's grammar has to be paired with their writing program? I am enjoying our current grammar curriculum and I would like to keep using it. However if there is a benefit of working on both IEW's grammar and writing at the same time then I would like to know your opinion
No, they don't have to paired. While they do pair well, they both do not need each other to be used at the same time. You can use just the writing, or you could use just the Grammar. Sticking with the grammar you like would totally be fine!
Ohhh this is very helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
Phonetic Zoo has a "budget option for $29 but it doesn't come with the CDs.
Oh awesome!! Thanks for sharing, Samantha 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Thank you for sharing!
Of course!
Thank you for this!!!!
You're so welcome!
Thompson Richard Moore Steven Lewis Margaret
I want to try IEW . Where do I start for a 2nd and 3rd grade? ❤
I would maybe start with Fix it Grammar, the first level. As far as the writing goes, I recommend waiting until 4th or 5th or even 6th Grade before starting the writing. In 2nd and 3rd grade we focus on copywork, handwriting, and oral narration (telling back what they read or heard) instead of writing. Well, we also use “Imitation Writing” for my 3rd Grader and we love it! Super simple, but still writing practice. :)
Here’s a video where I talk about when to start writing instruction:
ruclips.net/video/_-v6fdT7wIY/видео.htmlsi=3-cPrLOrPJlItnkL