Using IEW questions

[AndreaLJ]

For those of you who use IEW with TOG, could you please explain how you do so? Do you use TOG topics and plug in IEW lessons? OR Do you begin with IEW lessons and make up your own TOG writing assignments? Thanks
Andrea

[AndreaLJ]

Also, I forgot to ask, Do you need a separate curriculum for Grammar with IEW?

[sixaresuper]

If you already have familiarity with the IEW techniques, it is quite easy to take the TOG topics and use the IEW methods. If you are just starting with IEW, it may be easier to use some of the prepared lessons, Aesop's fables, etc. to get you started learning how to do things the IEW way.

For example, this past year in Year 2, my upper grammar kids practiced note-taking from some of their readings on colonial times. My daughter actually wrote a three paragraph paper on three related topics from this time period. My dialectic boys did a 5 paragraph essay on a person of their choice from the time period we were studying, using at least three sources, including at least one quotation, and having a works cited page. I often look at the writing assignment pages to come up with ideas. But our writing doesn't always come from TOG. We may also use a science or possibly literature topic.

IEW does not include grammar, although the kids do put their grammar into practice by learning to add an -ly word (the technical name for that is an adverb!) or a who/which clause (which you later call an adjectival clause!). IEW does have a program called Fix-It which has the students doing editing, but it is not really appropriate until students are in about 5th grade (although I think they say you can start younger, but mine couldn't). I've used a variety of other grammar programs depending on the child and his learning modalities.

It's been a learning curve for me to merge the two together. I could expound on that, but I don't know if you are just exploring IEW, are already familiar with it, just starting TOG, etc., so I don't want to confuse you. Let me know your experience with both and I might be able to offer a little more assistance.

Michelle

[AndreaLJ]

Michelle,
Thanks for your reply. We are just beginning TOG and know very little about IEW. We used some of the techniques from IEW in Character Quality Language Arts and liked those components. I have heard Mr. Pudewa speak and read many great testimonies from others who have used his program. I guess I am afraid that Writing Aids (TOG) will not be "enough". So I was looking to use IEW to hold my hand a little more in teaching structure and style. Thanks for your input.
Andrea