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Add IEW in for 5th grader doing Preparing

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:33 pm
by tiffanieh
My 5th grader will be doing Preparing as I think he needs the year of really getting his narrations down before CtC. We did IEW US History based writing for the first half of the year last year. We stopped because he went to a private school in January.

Since Preparing's writing is primarily thru written narrations and not structured writing like IEW, do you think we should add it on top of Preparing? Or should I just chill out and not freak out that he won't be receiving any formal writing instruction until 6th grade, in CtC?

Re: Add IEW in for 5th grader doing Preparing

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:16 pm
by blessedmomof4
Preparing covers lots of writing-I have highlighted in purple the ways writing is included in the list below.
I think Preparing is a great program for a 5th grader and has much more than meets the eye. I also think you should use it as written (as long as that is where your child places) and wait until CTC for the Write With the Best program, but that's just my opinion :)
Corresponding History Read-Alouds
Oral Narration Practice
Written Narration Lessons
Oral Comprehension and Opinion Questions
Digging Deeper Biblical Applications
Geography Quick Finds
Timeline Entries
Vocabulary Study
Research Questions
Weekly History Projects
Copywork: Quotes, Verses, and Literature Passages
Corresponding Independent Literature Readings and Assignments
History Notebooking
Classic Poetry from Robert Louis Stevenson: study, read, memorize & write poetry
Spelling: choice of two sets of dictation passages
Grammar Lessons using the Text Beginning Wisely: English 3 or Building with Diligence: English 4
Weekly Creative Writing Lessons
Literature Study using Drawn into the Heart of Reading
Math Exploration
Bible Study of Psalms
Bible Passage Memory Work of Psalms: with CD "Lead Me to the Rock"
Biographical and Living Book Science Readings
Weekly Science Experiments
Weekly Science Notebooking
Weekly Science Comprehension and Biblical Application Questions
Weekly Oral Science Narrations

Re: Add IEW in for 5th grader doing Preparing

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:49 pm
by LynnH
The writing instruction that Carrie has written to go along with the Poetry box in Preparing is very good. If you have the Preparing guide look at the Language Arts box on I believe day 4 and see how guided that instruction is. It is very similar to what "real writing" programs include. I was just reading some of those to a friend of mine who has a 10 year old in ps that she feels needs more guidance with writing. She was a junior high English teacher and she was very impressed with how those activities would set dc up for what is expected on a junior high level. I a a firm believer in following Carrie's writing plans in the guides. I have just seen way too much progress in my ds to not be. I really think you will be adding a ton of time to Preparing if you add IEW and you really don't need to do that.

Re: Add IEW in for 5th grader doing Preparing

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:10 am
by Mom2Monkeys
we added igniting your writing for my 5th grader in preparing by honestly, we just didn't do it often bc although there's not much original output and guidance in preparing like you're thinking, what there is, is really good. And although the copywork, timeline.entries, etc aren't writing per say and are handwriting more or less, you'll be surprised how much the kids pick up from copying quotes and scriptures and science info even though it isn't original output from their heads....they learn some interesting sentence structure, vocabulary,creativity,etc. the writing doesn't seem enough on the surface but there's more in there and it's guided and taught very well. and it's in.Tue so well woven, it's even easy to miss that you're teaching it. then end.of the level comes up ajd you see the progress as you start CTC and think, "Where did she learn that from?!" ;)

Re: Add IEW in for 5th grader doing Preparing

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:08 am
by my3sons
I'd start without adding any additional writing, and focus on ds really putting his all into the writing included in PHFHG. If you are thinking more challenge is needed a few months in, I'd add "Igniting Your Writing" at that time. HTH! :D

In Christ,
Julie

Re: Add IEW in for 5th grader doing Preparing

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 5:56 pm
by Maadrose
In all honesty you can add IEW easily to any existing program by having your dc do several (or all) of the writing assignments in the IEW way. By that I mean have them do key word outlines for the written narrations (one line for each sentence) then write up the narration by making their KWO into sentences. Show them and reach them which sentence openeres and dress ups you want tem to add by making up a quick check list for them to follow. IEW has lots of different models for all types of writing, all you have to do is plug in the methods. There is even a model for book reports, you tailor it to your child's ability. That is really the beauty of IEW, it teaches your children HOW to write so they can be successful. I don't think it necessarily needs to be a separate subject, just use what you have and make it work for you!