My HONEST IEW STRUCTURE & STYLE 1A REVIEW// PROs & CONs is it really WORTH IT? // WRITING CURRICULUM

[@outdoormomma221]

This was very helpful. As a former teacher just finishing up our 8th year of homeschooling, I echo what you said about letting kids find their voices first. I recommend people using regular oral narration, copywork and dictation, and Brave Writer style writing projects in the younger grades. Then switch to IEW in 5th/6th grades for more academic style writing. Then your child will have the foundation of voice and the joy of writing to bring into IEW. Thanks for this video!

[@kylamould2513]

Hi. What is the Brave Writer style writing projects or do you mean doing writing projects in the way/ style Braver Writer uses. We are in our second year of homeschooling and I’m looking for more support for writing for my 9 year old. I’ve been watching many videos on many curriculums. Every time I think I’m settled on one, I rabbit trail to another. So from IEW, which I thought I’d try, I’m looking into Brave Writer. Do you think I could pair Fix it grammar with Brave Writer? Any other tips about Brave Writer? Thanks in advance!

[@outdoormomma221]

@@kylamould2513 You definitely could pair those two curriculums. Brave Writer has novel studies based on age (Darts/Arrows/Boomerangs) and also the writing projects based on age (Jot-It-Down, Partnership etc). The writing projects are very creative and focused more on engagement, content and developing writing voice over producing academic essays. We do oral narration (which is essential essay composition but verbal) religiously in the early grades. In 3rd or 4th grade I have my kids start written narrations (instead of oral) alongside Brave Writer type writing projects. By this time, the mental work of organizing writing, forming a thesis, providing supporting details etc. has been solidified and they slide into essay writing quite easily. When I say writing projects in the style of Brave Writer, I mean taking Jot-It-Down and Partnership projects and modifying them to the interest of your child. Examples: travel brochure to a place you have vacationed, scrapbook of the year (with captions, headlines, descriptions), my son wrote a newspaper article about his future self as a famous chef, etc. Basically take Brave Writer ideas and make them your own. A fabulous book for additional ideas is called Don’t Forget to Write. I hope this helps!

[@CesiadeKhalaf7]

Hi, Brittany! Thanks to your review of this program my DD is using Structure and Style in 5th grade, and it really is helping her! Question is, do you think we could skip the 1B program and start the 2A without having a big gap between the progression of the two? I know it might sound odd, but since level 1B just adds two new units: formal essay and formal critique, I was wondering if we could just jump in ahead. Thanks in advance for reading me!

[@banda2323]

Thank you for your review. My 9 year old is a very reluctant writer. I am looking at this for next year and like the idea of spreading the lessons out over 2 weeks. Your daughter is adorable.

[@deannak5]

My daughter started out loving IEW but after a few weeks she grew very tired of the repeatative structure, as did I. At 8 weeks we ditched all but fix it grammar and decided to go back to the good and the beautiful and have both been happier since. She loves writing but she loves creative writing. It's a great program but it was not the right fit for us. Another note; grading felt too open ended for my teaching style.

[@carinenouboussi5660]

Omg, Brielle is so sweet, she just sold the whole program is less than 30 seconds 💕💕💕. My daughter is in 6th grade, she loves to read and write, but I feel that she needs more structure so I think the IEW will work well for her.

[@brittanyolga]

Thank you so much 😊. Brielle really loves this program. I hope it works well for your 6th grader if you guys try it as well. 😍

[@DejaDrewit]

We are on our third week of free trial and i love this program but agree the videos can be too long when your kid already dreads doing so much work each day. My son tends to space out when videos are too long he just wants to do the work

[@Skycien]

Thank you for this! Will you do a review on Brave Writer? I have a 3rd grader and I’m looking for a good place to start. I was considering IEW, but after watching this I think l will hold off for a little.

[@brittanyolga]

I will definitely make a video on Brave writer.If you are interested in still doing IEW though I would suggest the younger themed based writing units. They still teach the same style and techniques it is just at a simple level for a 3rd grader.😍

[@melissacardona1747]

Great video! I agree with what you said in regards to the curriculum not allowing students to have their own voice in writing. The curriculum strictly focus on the structure and style of writing. However, I will say that after two years of using IEW, my son has learned how to better articulate his thoughts in writing throughout all content areas. Because the program is so solid, my son has been able to use the strategies he has learned with Mr.Pedewa when doing creative writing assignments. So although there isn’t a ton of creative writing involved in IEW right now (there will be some as you progress through the curriculum) rest assured that she is learning what she needs to learn so that she can use that to better articulate her own voice in her future creative writing assignments. I hope that made sense….I feel like I rambled 😂

[@brittanyolga]

Thank you so much for this insight. We are definitely sticking with this program at least through middle school. We love it so much. I am excited now for the next levels. 😍

[@sabrinaburnham4395]

Thank you for this in-depth critique on IEW. I have been pondering over this writing curriculum for two years. Your input has helped me. My son is in the fifth grade and he is a struggling writer. I don’t want to put him in something that will overwhelm him because he is still trying to find his writing voice. Thank you for these great tips.😊

[@homeschoollifemom]

Do you feel like you did something specific in the younger years that helped your daughter enjoy writing so much? I have a 3rd grade daughter who is a voracious reader and can narrate well what she’s read but is a very reluctant writer when it comes to assigned writing. I’ve strongly considered doing Fix it Grammar with her along with her LA curriculum (TGATB)

[@brittanyolga]

We did a combination of Masterbooks and TGATB language in our third grade year as well. What I found that helped her write more was allowing her to journal. At first she just drew in her journal, then I asked her to write a few sentences with her drawings. We didn’t use a specific method I just wanted her to be confident in writing her thoughts and funny stories she thought of. I hope this helps. 😊

[@MusingsofFamily]

We are doing this curriculum this year with my 5th grader, too! I agree with your assessments. We are really enjoying it!

[@brittanyolga]

I am so happy you are enjoying it too! It really is an awesome program. It really has taken a lot of pressure off of me as far as writing instructions. I love it 🙌🏽

[@dayyhall-reeder2054]

Very helpful! Will bring this back around when my son is “technically” 3rd grade.

[@fatemakw9990]

Any thoughts on TGATB writing? They focus on creative writing and voice, but some find it not structured enough (while IEW can seem too structured, so I’m not sure which way to lean)! I’ve got a 4th grader who recently fell in love with reading but does not like writing at all… we tried Writing and Rhetoric first, and now trying TGATB’s writing lessons. Suggestions/advice welcome!

[@brittanyolga]

So we did TGATB level 3 and some of TGATB level 4 Writing Workshop. There was definitely some aspects of it that I liked however, I never really seen a lot of growth in her writing from solely using the method and techniques in TGATB. My daughter did love the creative writing aspect of the program though while we used it. I feel like IEW especially for upper elementary teaches writing and the process of writing much more throughly. Hopefully this helps.😍

[@mrsmary71]

I love how you explained this! I am new to homeschool this year and debating whether or not I want to use this. Would you say this is geared more for reluctant writers? My 4th grader likes to write journals and short stories, although I'm not sure if she is on the right level for writing structure. She does not enjoy reading at all so I wanted to focus more on a solid reading comprehension program without overwhelming her with writing. Do you think this will be overload? Also do you have recommendations for reading programs and what vocabulary books do you use? Sorry if you posted it and I'm not seeing it but I'm fairly new to youtube too. Thanks!

[@ashleypnw6922]

My 2nd grade son just hates writing altogether. I'm at a loss for where to start with him, as even writing a sentence is a horrible experience for him. He likes to narrate and has lots to say when we narrate, but when he has to physically write, he just tries to think of minimal things to say. Any suggestions? My 2nd grade daughter LOVES to write and would really love more ways to develop her creative writing, as that is something she loves anyway. I'm very curious about IEW, but after this review definitely want to keep it in mind for later elementary years, as strong writing skills is very important to me for my homeschooled children.

[@JayAlexis30]

Omg your daughter is precious! Thank you for all your videos!

[@jessiemadanat5455]

Yes this is notttt for 3rd grade

[@SDaulton]

I love your bright, happy energy 😊. Thank you for your review of IEW. We’re on week 2 of the free trial lessons. So far so good.

[@jessiemadanat5455]

We are doing an iew pod with my neighbors it's so successful i am so grateful for IEW i am sold!!!

[@melissaleonard8741]

Did you buy the premier package, that gives you the videos on how to teach it? I'm trying to decide which to buy.

[@brittanyolga]

I did not purchase the premier package. I find that by watching the videos with my daughter and the use of the teachers guide is enough for me to assist in her writing instruction. I have heard that the teaching instruction is nice to have but it is not necessary to teach IEW in my experience.😊

[@melissaleonard8741]

@@brittanyolga Awesome! Thanks so much!

[@brittanyedwards3293]

I bought the premier package, and I’ve been going through the teaching class. While I really enjoy the teacher class, it’s definitely not necessary as long as you purchase the student videos. I definitely wouldn’t try to teach the course without the student videos, though. Hope that helps 😊

[@sawyerfamily456]

Thank you so much for this informative review! I have been looking at IEW off and on for the last three years. I think it is time for me to try it with my 5th grade son. Your daughter also did a wonderful job with her review!

[@jaclyn4412]

Do you think IEW and fix it grammar with an added spelling curriculum would be a sufficient language arts curriculum?

[@brittanyolga]

I honestly feel like it is a complete language arts minus literature. It feels lite at first but now that we are almost complete with this program. I can truly see the growth in my daughters language skills.

[@caseycaulfield3945]

This was so helpful. Thank you!

[@jessiemadanat5455]

We are doing this curriculum too and i am in love!

[@michelleagyemang868]

What age can brave writer be started?

[@faithhomeschool2789]

Thanks for the update. This is on our list of curriculum. We might start with the themed books

[@brittanyolga]

That is as great! I heard that their theme -based writing program is just as fun and the structure and style😍

[@MsZarate88]

Thank you

[@CharlotteMasonTT]

🥰 thanks for sharing !!!