Institute For Excellence in Writing

by Carmen
(FL)

Product: Institute For Excellence in Writing
Subject: Writing
Levels Used: 1st-12th grade, Teaching Writing: Style and Structure
Dates Used: 2004-present

Likes:
#1 Once you watch the 1st DVD you can start teaching your children (and yourself) how to write. The program is easy to use and very thorough. Your children will start by making an outline. And then they will recreate sentences using the outline.

#2 Older children can watch the DVD's with you. So they are learning along with you.

#3 You don't have to buy anything else. You can create writing assignments based on your science and history studies using the lessons taught in the DVD's.

Dislikes: It is really expensive but really worth it. You don't need to buy anything else and it can be used to teach writing for all grades.

Not my Style

(Allen, TX)

Product: Excellence in Writing
Subject: Writing
Levels Used: Junior High, Units 1 thru 7
Dates Used: 2007 - 2008

Likes:
Apparently, for the student who can think of nothing at all to write, the "checklist" of stylistic techniques gives a starting point.

Dislikes:
The How-To videos did not keep my interest. The terminology used throughout the program applies only to this program. That means teacher and students will have to learn this terminology for the techniques in order to complete the program.

Grading is based more on use of the techniques than on the substance of the writing itself. The teacher's manuals leave some questions unanswered and different versions contradict each other.

The samples are often poorly written in terms of grammar, flow of language and objectivity. This program provides no help in terms of grammar or punctuation (two things essential to good writing).

Excellence in Writing is set up to teach the students to write in a specific style. For kids who don't "think" in that style, it is hard for them to write in that style. I don't believe there's any one definitive style required for "good" writing. I would be more impressed if I.E.W. simply taught students to express themselves clearly and well.

IEW Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons

by Theresa
(Michigan)

Product: Institute for Excellence in Writing
Subject: Ancient History based writing lessons
Levels Used: A,B (3-5 and 6-8) We used for 3rd and 8th grader.
Dates Used: 2008-2009

Likes: I used the theme based writing with a reluctant writer and an enthusiastic writer. Both did very well. I like the way the IEW program teaches a process for children/adults to use to write. The theme based program proves the topics to write about and they are relevant to what the student is learning in history. I also appreciate clear instructions on how to evaluate and grade the work.

Dislikes: My only dislike was that the vocabulary cards are in the back and not listed elsewhere so if your child loses them you can not look them up yourself. So I would like a vocab list for the teacher at the back of the book.