What is the basic difference between Writing Aids and IEW programs?

We are using TOG for the first year, dd11 (UG/D), ds9 (LG/UG), dd6.

My dd11 is a good reader, has little experience in writing, her spelling is right "on the level", she narrates well, she has good imagination, but when it comes to writing she is somewhat disappointed in her "lack of tools". She gets easily discouraged, although I go with her through every detail of her Writing Aids assignments. I understand that it takes time to get use to writing, and she is starting to appreciate all of the steps and preparations in the writing process (pre-writing), but in my opinion she is lacking basic skills (like using stronger verbs, particular nouns, combining sentences, avoiding repetitions etc.) As I looked through IEW website, I thought the clear steps presented in their samples would help her, but I don't want to spend money or burden my kids with just more "stuff."

I just got Easy Grammar 5 for her, and we are using Daily Grams with her from the beginning of the School year.

We are in Y3 U2 W15, she did not do any writing for U1, we just wanted to take it easy and implement gradually every component of TOG.

My ds9 is a right brain child and is struggling with even basic spelling, so I am not doing any Writing Aids assignments with him yet, concentrating on grammar, handwriting and spelling, but I am a little scared about him not being able to "write a paragraph" yet. He is a very good "story teller", retains the information well from reading, and can narrate back pretty well, summarizing or giving the details.

English is not my native language and I am not confident about me teaching writing and composition to my kids.

My question is to all who are or did use IEW and Writing Aids. What is the difference between them? What does IEW has that WA does not and vice-versa.

Should I just stick to Writing Aids and hope that in time it will get better, as my kids grow? Should I educate myself in the writing more? If so, how? Should I add something to my kids' writing lessons?

Also, how do yo incorporate IEW with TOG?

Any suggestions will be helpful.
Thanks.

I just found this post and am curious about some of the same things... I hope this gets noticed, and that I have put it in the correct place.
http://tapestryofgrace.groupee...orm_images/blank.gif
We are using Y3 Redesign (3rd year in TOG),and I'm trying to plan for this coming fall and my dc's writing curriculum. This year we chose to "farm out" 2 ds (both R level) and they took an IEW class at our local homeschool supplement program (very well-run, classes taught by excellent teachers). I have been happy with the results, but feel a tension regarding this coming fall and spending more money on out-sourcing, when money is tight. My 13 yr. old ds (D level) has been doing Rod and Staff English, and has gotten a very good base in grammar with that. In looking ahead, I don't feel this would be enough to give him a solid writing education (there is minimal writing in R&S). I have been unable to transfer my love of writing and natural bend in this area to my children, and am concerned that even if I had an excellent program to use, they just won't have the necessary skills when it's time for college.

My question is this: Is there any way I can actually see what Writing Aids looks like? How does it differ from IEW? Why is writing such a difficult subject for so many hsing moms to teach????? In the past I have assigned book reports, research papers, descriptive paragraphs, etc. to my dc, and they stare at me like a deer caught in the headlights. Helpful advice from the TOG community would be appreciated!!!

Thanks, Laurie

Hi Laurie,

You can see EXACTLY how Writing Aids is used by accessing our FREE online samples of Go To Egypt or Sail to the New World (look for samples button, right). Each of these has three week-plans linked, and then the supplements we've developed are linked there, too.

Generally, the Writing Assignments are listed on pages 8-10 of each Redesigned week-plan for 12 levels. Writing Aids is a handbook that helps you teach each new genre, and your student learn it.

Example: Let's say the assignment is to write paragraphs. Within Writing Aids, there will be a teacher's section (that's the book part when you buy it) that leads YOU through teaching the new genre AND there will be Talking Points pages (in all needed level-specific versions for that genre) for you to print (from a CD once you buy it) and place before the student while you teach. Think of Talking Points as pre-written notes that the student then keeps and files in his writing notebook for reference.

Additionally, on the Writing Aids disc, are graphic organizers for prewriting and grading plans for each separate genre.

Samples from Writing Aids for all the assignments in the weeks offered in the two samples mentioned above are included, so you can get a good feel for Writing Aids from there.

HTH!

Thank you Marcia, for your reply. I'm sitting here going "uh, duh... why didn't I see the free samples...?!" I thought I'd familiarized myself with most of the facets of this curriculum, but in my haste, I must have overlooked the Writing Aids sample. I will go there directly, and again, thank you for all that you do.

We love TOG and feel that it is such a good fit for our family. My children continue to show me that they have gained a good understanding of the times we live in, because they are familiar with and have grasped what has taken place before. Our workload at times is grueling, and I hear grumbles and complaints, but when all is said and done, I believe they are grateful for the work that is required of them through TOG. Even with the recent bumpy road we've experienced with DE and the adjustments we had to make for Y3U3, it all worked out and God has been faithful. We will continue to pray for the company's success and ability to sail through the Y4 Redesign process.

God bless -
Laurie

Thanks, Laurie, for the encouragement, your patience, and your pursuit of excellence in education with your children. All three are an blessing to me!

I've used both!! I might recommend the IEW intensive...the 99 dollar ones. We did level B and spent a couple of months going through it and not doing the TOG writing. Then we incorporated what we had learned into the TOG assignments from that point on. It has worked well. Next year I plan to do the level C one. One way to cut down on costs is to see if your homeschool group has one. Ours has some of them we can check out. I loaned out my copy of B to another member. I plan to borrow the high school intensive course for my oldest. I like the these 99 dollar tapes because he is teaching to a class and the boys watched and LOVED him. I don't like the pricier set because it is made for a mom to watch and then you have to teach it yourself. Well, let me rephrase. I liked watching it to understand (didn't buy them, checked them out from homeschool library) the philosophy and techniques but the other tape helped me implement them. You know, now that I think back, we did these in the summer. Somehow the assignments felt fun to the boys.

Christine