Top Reasons We Love Essentials In Writing // Essentials In Writing Homeschool Curriculum Review

Let’s dive into all things Essentials In Writing! Here are all the top reasons why we love it. Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions - I’m happy to share more about our experience!
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[@Seasonedhomeschooler]

We love EIW!! It’s been a great blessing.

[@marynforney5275]

So glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it also!

[@steadfastschoolhouse]

Thank you for the review! What do you think about the writing? Is there a lot of scaffolding? I felt like SL didn’t help a ton and gave an example of something my daughter couldn’t produce. What are your thoughts on that!?

[@marynforney5275]

It feels so supportive and straight forward. He teaches the concept in the video and then gives examples of what he wants the student to do and I have felt it all to be very doable - we have never been left scratching our heads or wishing we had more instruction!

[@steadfastschoolhouse]

@@marynforney5275 this is great to know. I’ll keep it in mind as we head into the new school year!

[@marynforney5275]

@@steadfastschoolhouse hope you can find a great fit for your fam!

[@1stdayofwinter]

What is scaffolding? is that another program?

[@steadfastschoolhouse]

@@1stdayofwinter scaffolding is extra support and demonstrations

[@jenniferprice1367]

I am looking into this for our writing next year. I’m still unclear on if you choose the digital version instead of the dvds, do you still receive a workbook? Thanks for any help.

[@marynforney5275]

I believe you’d receive all the same items, just in place of dvds would be access to the internet videos!

[@jenniferprice1367]

@@marynforney5275 thank you so much 😊

[@ErstwhileEducation]

We are going to use Lightning Literature for part of our language arts next year for our rising 3rd grader. However the composition aspect apparently lacks instruction or clarity. Coming from a popular open and go curriculum, my son had very little writing experience. His grammar is on level though and reading is advanced. Would you recommend starting at level 2 or 3? Can you skip around in the program (so I can match with the lessons in LL)? ✨

[@marynforney5275]

Hi there! I’d go to the link below and take the placement test! As for skipping around I think you could do whatever you wanted?! I’d recommend calling their support - they are SO helpful and could help guide these decisions with a lot of wisdom! Here’s the placement site: essentialsinwriting.com/level-wizard/

[@ErstwhileEducation]

@@marynforney5275 thank you! Are you still using this program? Have you tried level 3 yet? Im curious for a review of that one. There doesn’t seem to be many reviews on it :)

[@marynforney5275]

@@ErstwhileEducation we are still using it and just purchased level 4 for next year! We enjoyed it this year - it is very similar to level 2, just a little more in depth (next level!). This coming year I am adding in some Daily Grams, and Fix It! from IEW to add some daily grammar practice. I felt my daughter didn’t get enough consistency of that with just EIW. So that would be a recommendation is to add in something for daily grammar practice also!

[@ErstwhileEducation]

@@marynforney5275 thank you for all your thoughts! I went ahead and bought level 3. My son is very excited to become a writer! I had to go with the digital edition as shipping to Mexico would cost more than the product 😅.

[@marynforney5275]

@@ErstwhileEducation how fun! I hope you enjoy using it!!

[@letyca449]

How many lessons does this curriculum contain?

[@marynforney5275]

Check out this faq page and you’ll see details on exact numbers of lessons! essentialsinwriting.com/faqs/

[@jennifersanjines1111]

Do you do this with only your daughter or multiple children?

[@marynforney5275]

This year and last I just did it with my daughter. Next year we will be doing EIW 4 with my daughter and EIW 2 with my son!

[@amyd4797]

This sounds like it could be good! Do you just need to add spelling and handwriting for a complete language arts program?

[@marynforney5275]

I use handwriting (A Reason for Handwriting) and readers through Sonlight. I then add All About Reading and All About Spelling to cover phonics and spelling!

[@amyd4797]

@@marynforney5275 thank you!!

[@marynforney5275]

@@amyd4797 💕💕

[@carlyharrill7372]

@@marynforney5275 With the additional add-ons, how much time was typically spent on a daily basis? Was it overwhelming or very doable?

[@marynforney5275]

@@carlyharrill7372 some weeks I did everything, others I didn’t. I prioritized EIW if I had to choose between that and the other items. This coming year I will be doing EIW again but am switching phonics and spelling to Abeka and using their videos so it is a little more on auto-pilot for us. I need a little extra help this year (aka less parent involved)!

[@kennedygrace7774]

Are you still using this curriculum?

[@marynforney5275]

We actually transitioned last year to using Abeka with their videos for Language Arts and Math. Nothing bad to say about EIW still - just needed something with a lot more hand holding and repetition and longer videos of instruction so I could be more hands off in some areas of intense needs for us. Still using Sonlight’s HBL and readers!