Institute for Excellence in Writing Review and Giveaway
I am always on the lookout for ways to make my homeschooling life a little bit easier. When I saw this writing program I was intrigued. I suppose a few confessions are in order here….
1. Growing up I did not like grammar, and it was not my best subject.
2. As an adult I still do not like grammar, though I see it is an important subject to learn (especially as a blogger!).
3. Reading the stories I wrote as a child are downright painful. 🙂
With that being said, I want some good, solid help to teach my children how to write. And now that I’ve grown up and become a blogger (of all things, I still shake my head and wonder how!), I want my children to truly know the ins and outs of writing.
The Institute of Excellence in Writing has produced the Student Writing Intensive Course. Andrew Pudewa recorded this 4 DVD set, which is a live experience as he teaches children. The Level A class is for grades 3-5, so the age varies from 8 to 11 in the class. Along with the DVD set you receive a binder that has lesson plans and student handouts. The Student Writing Intensive course is available for three different levels depending on your students age: Level A is 3rd-5th grade, Level B is 6th-8th grade and Level C is 9th-12th grade.
Depending on how long you take with the course, you will spend 15-30 weeks to complete the course.
Student Handouts and binder
What I liked about the Writing Course:
It is a structured course, taught by someone who obviously loves the topic of writing and grammar.
Mr. Pudewa obviously is very knowledgable about his subject, makes it interesting and is enthusiastic as he teaches. This is a live class, where you see Mr. Pudewa interact with children so he is not just starring at the camera lecturing the screen. He tells stories, and truly enjoys sharing with the children about how to write.
It was humorous listening to him share with the students how he hated grammar as a child, but grew up to enjoy it and spend his life immersed in it.
My son could tell me a week after he watched the first DVD some things he had learned. That told me he is retaining the information.
My only issue so far with the set is I feel it is slightly outdated, and has a ’90’s feel to it. But that doesn’t take away from the good information presented.
There is also a Teacher’s DVD course that you can watch, which prepares you in how to teach writing to your children. So if you don’t want to rely on the DVD set, you could get this set for yourself. That is optional and not required if you use the Student Writing Course.
For more information you can go and watch some sample videos from the Level A course.
If you want your children to truly know how to write, I think this is an excellent writing course to teach them. My oldest does not do it every day, we are fitting it in our days as  we have time, but I’m hopeful we can look back at the end of the school year and see progress made.
The Institute For Excellence in Writing is giving away a Student Writing Course in a level of your choice! Enter the rafflecopter drawing below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
A or B…not quite sure yet…
Level B would be perfect!
I would love to win a copy of IEW in level C for my two high school aged children.
Thank you for doing wonderful blog giveaways.
My mom used this curriculum!
Oops! Probably A.
I would use level A. I have watched the teacher videos and find them very helpful!
I would love level A!
Probably B. thank you so much for this opportunity!
I’ve been looking at this curriculum! Thank you for the entry. I would love Level B for my daughter.
I would use two levels.
Level B would fit both my children this year!
I would choose A.
Level A would work for four out of six of my children. Majority rules!;)
Level A would work perfect for my children. I have been considering this curriculum.
I have heard good things about this curriculum and would love to use it with my 6th grade daughter. Level B is what we need! Thanks for the giveaway!
A
Thanks!
Nancy
Level B would be awesome. Would love to win!
I would pick Level A
I have this on my list this year but I am sitting on the fence. Could be fun to win! 😀
I would probably go with level B and adapt it for the older child.
Would like this for our “second family”, borrowed it for the “first”.
I would like to get Level C
Level C would be perfect for my daughter.
I used Intensive B with my 7th grader with great results, and would definitely use level C!
I think we’d use Level B
We’re needing Level C. Love IEW
We would use Level C
Probably Level B or C. I have a 7th and 9th grader I’d use the program for.
Level A is where I’d like to start. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Level A
Level A 🙂
i think I would want level A
I would pick either level A or B.
Level A or B
I would pick Level B.
Probably level B or C.
I would choose level A for use with my girls!
I’d choose level A.
I’d choose Level C.
I’d pick Level A.
I could use all the levels, but A is where it is needed most.
Just started Level A with my 3rd & 5th grader a few weeks ago and I am really impressed thus far. Even though the videos are kinda 90ish, he is funny and keeps the kids attention. I wish I would have been taught to write using this method; it would have saved me so much confusion/stress during my high school and college days. I am so happy to be giving my children a good start on how to write. Would love to have Level B for the future.
I would use level B
A or B could use both….
Level A!
Level a
I’ve looked this curriculum over thoroughly and I would LOVE Level A. Grammar has always been a huge struggle for me and I look forward to learning alongside my son.
Level A
I would love Level A. Thanks!
Would love to win….probably would choose level A
Since we are a young family, level A for sure! Thank you.
I would go with Level B.
Level A or B would be fantastic!
LevelB cont. would be awesome!
I just started watching some of his videos. I was able to borrow it from our homeschool connection through the public school here, but they don’t help much with high school. I’m watching level B, but would like to have my own set to use thoroughly and write in without penalty. 🙂 I think I’d get B, or maybe get C for future use. So far we like it, but I thought it seemed more like 80’s feel with the girls in their big bows. That may have just been a picture I saw on one of the sets, perhaps the teacher videos.
I would pick Level B
B
I’d love to actually take a look at this, but unfortunately, being in Australia, actually getting a hands on look at ANY curriculum is near impossible!
Probably level A. I hope I win, I have wanted to get this for ages!
I think B, because we don’t work on writing much until Jr. High. Thanks for another great give-away!
I would choose level A since we are just starting 3rd grade!
Level A!
I think level C would be great. We use the entire Rod & Staff English program (goes to 10th grade). I would like something better for 11th and 12th grade.
If you want a REALLY good writing program, you can’t beat the One Year Adventure Novel.
Level B
I think this sounds great and I would choose level A.
have always wanted this
Level A 🙂 Thanks!
I would probably choose level B. We had been using IEW with my children for the past several years through our local homeschool co-op and I would love to be able to teach it myself.
I would choose level C to use with adults. Thank you for your blog and for your giveaway.