Why We Ditched IEW | WriteShop Junior Review, Our New Homeschool Writing Curriculum

This video goes into the reasons why we are no longer using IEW and now are using WriteShop Junior, specifically level D. for 4th grade. Writing is a subject I need to be fun or I lose my kids, so this seems to be bringing the fun factor back!
To see more, go to their website:
writeshop.com/

[@Writeshop]

Robin, thank you for this detailed introduction to WriteShop Junior! We're thrilled that the fun activities have demonstrated that your son actually is NOT a reluctant writer at all. 🎉🎈 That's a big win!

[@tld_smd7063]

We are also looking to switch from EIW to write shop. My oldest daughter loves to write outside of the classroom, but in the classroom, she feels bored. We are teaching grades 6th, 5th, 3rd, and 1st. You make the prep look easy and well worth it to create a love of writing. Thank you for posting!

[@kdawnbeller]

Thank you for this!! I’ve been contemplating for my child! He got so behind from COVID and I think this program is perfect!

[@TeachingTinyDisciples]

Thank you for sharing this! I think I found writeshop through your channel actually, in one of your curriculum videos. I was planning on using primary C for my reluctant writer, but chickened out right before I checked out 😂 I ended up going with essentials in writing. Having two littles to homeschool next year & an 8 month old, I was worried it would be too much prep. It reminds me of All about Reading with the prep, except that one has it ready to pull and cut and it’s done. I can do 10 lessons at a time with that and it doesn’t feel like too much. Hoping I don’t live to regret my decision for this year. Lol

[@PurposefulHomeschool]

Truth! The prep with All About Reading just comes out of the book and I used to have my son help me since much of it required cutting. It gave him practice with it and didn't take much time at all. I'd love to hear how EIW is working for you - we've never used that one!

[@DReed1945]

Thank you for this video. I’m like you. I’m sure I will get overwhelmed with the amount of instruction and explanation they use in the books but as always, once I jump in and spend the money, I’m able to eliminate what isn’t needed and save money next year. It’s needed though to fix it to what we need and have a full idea of what the curriculum expects but then make changes ourselves. This looks perfect and much like a classroom. We’re doing IEW but man can I tell you we get bored with it wish it had a script. I have to add fun to it to make it exciting. I fear my next kid won’t enjoy it and perhaps I can use WS with IEW since we’ve already signed up to Essentials in Classical Conversations. I’d just prefer workbooks as an all-in-one method.

[@PurposefulHomeschool]

You know WS might be a good supplement if you want to take breaks from IEW.

[@rrichards1210]

Thank you, thank you for this review and flip through. It was exactly what I was looking for a few months ago. We are finishing off IEW and then I thought I would try out Night Zookeeper for the free month. But Writeshop just might be what we then start. My daughter is 5th grade and a confident, enthusiastic writer so will start her on F I think.

[@PurposefulHomeschool]

I'm so glad you found this helpful! I hope she enjoys this!

[@kiahsjourney5056]

Thanks we are going with this 2022-2023.

[@nikki9880]

Thank you for doing this review! So much. I purchased Fix-it Grammar for all 3 of my students (5th-9th grade) and was considering using this program to accompany it for writing. But honestly, it feels less independent than what I am looking for. And way too much prep work. I know it’s not way too overcomplicated but I feel like that will suck the life out of me as the teacher, lol. I am going to go with Write Shop 1 for my freshman, but avoid this junior version for sure.

[@PurposefulHomeschool]

I completely understand! I'm so glad you found this helpful!

[@DanielleVoiculescu]

How do you feel about it one year later?

[@JuliaCantley]

Thank you so much for this in depth video! I have looked at so many writing curricula for my 3 boys and it looks like it'll be WS. I was going to get IEW, but I think this will work best for us. I get very overwhelmed, too, so that is nice to know. Edit: I do worry about prep and time because I'll need to place 2 boys in Junior level E and the other in WS I/II

[@PurposefulHomeschool]

Prep isn't bad if you do it while they are doing independent work. Glad you found this helpful!

[@ljstince]

This is a great review!! I almost went with this but we ultimately went with Gross-out grammar as my boys needed something that motivated them! How did this work for you?

[@brenkm955]

I love the look of this and have been looking at whatever reviews I can find! A bit hesitant with the prep work but it looks like it might be worth it! Are you still enjoying this program?

[@jenndobitsch4426]

I would love an update too!!

[@mmlrichey]

What literature program do you use with Writeshop?

[@milenkautah]

Thank you

[@nancyhansen7103]

I want to try this but, it seems too overwhelming and doubtful I will get it.

[@angelsuniverse6021]

Didnu do an update?

[@kenlisadurant3513]

If I have 2 students doing same level could I just buy 1bundle and just make copies of activity pages?

[@Ffacademy2082]

I saw in your folders that you use The Good and The Beautiful. How do you blend the two programs?

[@PurposefulHomeschool]

We only do TGTB science and handwriting so our language arts is something different. :)

[@juliekelley120]

Did WriteShop work for him as an alternative to IEW?

[@tirzah-marielewis3447]

I wish my kids did the independent study but I think this may work because they are so “project” oriented. They will love this… I will tolerate it because I love them 😅

[@homeschooledaroundtheworld4660]

My kids totally disliked IEW. They found it boring, long, redundant. Wish your kids enjoy writing now.

[@angiec5496]

Yes, I'm with you on that! Looking for a new Writing Curriculum, but this seems like too much work in the prep department. Wish there was a writing workbook that had everything in one place and was easy for the student to do independently. I was looking into Writing with Skill by Susan Wise Bauer but it didn't seem to have too much of a writing component, more reading. But anyhow, good luck in your homeschool adventures =)

[@oregoncoastmama3004]

Off topic but did you say your name was "Robbi" or Robin? Anyways if you said Robbi you're only the second female besides myself that's named Robbi that I've heard of in 42 years! lol loved your video very informative.

[@PurposefulHomeschool]

It's Robbie! I have only met a few "Robbies" in my lifetime as well! :)

[@VernosiaM]

Thank You and Nope I didn't click Off. I instead Thumbs Up You because you said everything about the prepping. :0)

[@encapsulatio]

So you're saying IEW is kind of EWWW.