👉 Link To IEW 👉iew.com/affiliate/200697 I am so excited to announce that I am now an affiliate with them!! So be sure if you are interested in purchasing any of their products to check out this link!
I actually really like Writing and Rhetoric. Some of the things you feel are missing in book three are covered in later books. Writing and Rhetoric comes from Classical press, and their grammar Well Ordered Language is extremely thorough (almost too much so, ha!). I feel that Writing and Rhetoric lends itself to a more academic process that will enable high schoolers to take dual college courses and be able to write excellent papers. I do think it's a better program for those who already are natural writers/readers, while the formulaic writing of IEW is great for those more mathematically or scientifically inclined. I also think their grade recommendations are not appropriate. 4th grade - 1&2 5th grade 3&4 6th grade 5&6 7th grade 7&8 8th grade 9&10 9th grade 11&12 would work out better for most students. Writing and Rhetoric is also great for co-op classes and schole co-ops, as it's emphasis on public speaking works well in a classroom.
Thank you for the reviews. I think IEW has a formula that they use in all their books and it works. The program can be a bit overwhelming with the need for the teacher to purchase a pricey instructional set and learn how to use the program. But it does appear to be popular and effective. I have an American History book for IEW and I like the way it is formated. I've been looking at Writing & Rhetoric. I think the thing with this program is that it builds. So instead of teaching the same set of skills every year, it teaches new skills with each book along with reviewing previous skills. Once a child has completed all of the books they would have built and practiced all of the necessary skills for high school writing. I have looked at the online samples and it does seem to have a lot more writing in the later books. Having taught in the public school I see that both program are better than what most schools are using, but IEW seems to be more traditional in its methods. I see how Writing & Rhetoric (as well as Writing with Skill-also classical) takes a different approach to writing.
Thank you for the review. Writing & Rhetoric looks like a fusion of Writing With Ease/Skill and IEW. It's just seems more to the point, and a lot less formulaic. I think it will build on itself each year until all the key writing components are taught, but I suppose you have to stay on the train until the end to get everything out of it.
Thanks for a great review - I have tried both with my oldest son who is finishing grade 8 this year and going back to school for grade 9. I agree with your comments We started with Writing and Rhetoric and while I loved it my son hated it :P he got hung up on “what should I write” . Neither of my boys enjoy nor are strong in language arts but are very strong in science and math . My oldest switched to the Level 1B Structure and Style video course for grade 8 and really benefitted from the “formula approach “. My younger son is going into grade 4 and I have “All Things Fun and Fascinating” in order . We did Primary Art of Writing in grades 2/3 . Just started Bible Heroes - like on lesson 2. He seems to like it but he is also more creative than his brother Still on the fence whether to try writing and rhetoric with him or stick to IEW .🧐 FYI he hates the physical act of writing to the point of tears but does great with dictation . He is definitely my auditory / visual learner .
As far as keyword outlines go my children flourished on the dynamic way that IEW taught the process and encourages personal expression. The use of small pictures or other non-word keywords to help them help the child to remember their story was very effective.
Thanks for sharing, neither one of this curriculums is familiar to me so it was really interesting to see how these work. As a writer...teaching good writing and writing with style and writing with heart and appeal is something that's important to me but it's not something we've ever really had a super fantastic curriculum for. (I grew up on Abeka...and still became a writer but I should probably credit college a lot more for that. lol!)
Thank you for the review. New homeschool Dad with 10yr son going into 5th grade (Orlando FL). Anyone do group Zoom session on writing. I wonder if my son see others doing it then it will inspire him. He likes to read, and does wonderful in school but he does not like writing. even thought he tells great stories verbally. Seeking a way to increase his activity and interest in writing.
If you are looking for a group setting, find a Classical Conversations Co-op near you. They have a whole program, but one year my 5th grader did just the essentials aspect which covers IEW and INTENSE grammar
Thanks for the review, Leilani. I'm a former public and private school teacher as well. I'm familiar with teaching writing using the writer's workshop model directed towards classroom use, which doesn't work in a homeschool environment. I'm still hung up on trying to decide on IEW or WR. Which one would you recommend if you wanted to go at a faster pace? Thank you
I may have missed this but with Writing and Rhetoric… does your child have to be able to write all of the activities themselves or can you help with… say… half of the lesson? My daughter is still working on spelling. She is in 3rd grade.
Unfortunately Structure and Style was not a good fit for my daughter at this time however she is doing well with Fix It Grammar. Is All Things Fun and Fascinating a more gentle approach in comparison to Structure and Style? We are trying to find a writing program that fits.
Wow! Thank you so much for this video! My daughter is going into 4th grade and she doesn't like the writing and does very little reading (although she's a great reader). You explained it so well and compared them clearly. I just subscribed to your channel! Have you heard of the Night Zookeeper? What's your opinion about it? Thanks 🤗
I have, they did contact me for a partnership too. But I didn't take it only because I was already overwhelmed with curriculums and pretty sold out on the one we use. I don't know much, except that it is secular and computer based. I would try searching it on YT. But keep in mind, they are doing partnerships so you may not get a 100% accurate review.
I been watching your videos for the past few months and I'm guessing is the 1st time I hear you said you are a homeschool evaluator, Can you tell me what is that? I never heard that before. Do you know if there are any in Texas or is it just for Florida? Hope you don't mind to share. I'm new in all this homescooling.
It's part of Florida Law. I don't think Texas has this requirement. Your laws seem to be much easier. We all have to keep a portfolio and sit with a certified Florida Teacher and the kids have to review their work with them once a year. There are certified teachers that are dedicated Homeschool Evaluator for the State, that's what I do.
I did. I actually really like it, Andrew is funny and witty, but I don't think you need it. As long as you understand the basic structure. The DVD really just helps you understand how to teach the patterns better and gives you tip on how to do it.
I understand that IEW's Bible Heroes can be done without any prior knowledge of SSS Level A; is the same true of All Things Fun and Fascinating? Thanks, Shell
@@LivingWithEve Great! So what level of SSS would you recommend if a student has completed Bible Heroes and All Things Fun and Fascinating? Thanks, Shell
Yes, They have a Structure and Style Level A for elementary students. They also have themed units. The unit called Fun and Fascinating is good for 4th Graders.
I am planning on buying the fables, myths and fairy tales IEW themed base student book for my daughter who is a reluctant writer. So that means I don't need the teachers manual. Or how do you acces it?
If you order WR, then try that one. If it works, keep it. If not try IEW. With IEW for a 6th grader Ancient History is good, so is the Lion Which and the Wardrobe. WR has the books leveled on their website.
@@LivingWithEve I saw another UA-camr who said I have to start with the structure and style, is this right? i didn't get WR because they were out of stock
We are doing IEW Structure and Style with my 6th grader. All was good until we got to the forming an outline/story from pictures. Watching the videos which are normally well over an hour is a bit much. A lot mechanics and its boring my son. He is a veracious reader, very advanced for his age. Not so with writing, he just can't form thoughts and get them on paper. Didn't even know IEW had other styles. I thought it was just Structure and Style. We love fix it grammar. So whats the difference between structure and style and their other programs?
Well all of them seem to based on the same structure and style but they have different prewritten programs. Other than the structure and style stand alone book. Does that make sense? The Structure and Style is more like the Suzuki teaching method for instruments. You are learning from the masters, rewriting what they have written so then when you write independently it will be good. It has all the dress ups and vocabulary. The other methods tend to have the typical 5-6 sentence paragraph and 3 -5 paragraph structure. Hope that makes sense.
Thank you for sharing this comment. This sounds like my son. He likes to read and can verbally tell great stories, however when he has to do school work book summary he cant get his thoughts on paper. Many times he feels it takes to long to do the steps of key words and outlines, (i do think that is a good model). anyway thanks
@@vernonneile You are welcome! Maybe it’s a boy thing? We are trying another program called Writing Rhetoric from classical academy press. We will see how he does. I still have IEW as back up.
👉 Link To IEW 👉iew.com/affiliate/200697
I am so excited to announce that I am now an affiliate with them!!
So be sure if you are interested in purchasing any of their products to check out this link!
I actually really like Writing and Rhetoric. Some of the things you feel are missing in book three are covered in later books. Writing and Rhetoric comes from Classical press, and their grammar Well Ordered Language is extremely thorough (almost too much so, ha!). I feel that Writing and Rhetoric lends itself to a more academic process that will enable high schoolers to take dual college courses and be able to write excellent papers. I do think it's a better program for those who already are natural writers/readers, while the formulaic writing of IEW is great for those more mathematically or scientifically inclined.
I also think their grade recommendations are not appropriate. 4th grade - 1&2 5th grade 3&4 6th grade 5&6 7th grade 7&8 8th grade 9&10 9th grade 11&12 would work out better for most students.
Writing and Rhetoric is also great for co-op classes and schole co-ops, as it's emphasis on public speaking works well in a classroom.
I agree. IEW was not useful to my middle schoolers and it is expensive to invest on. I am now looking at other writing programs.
Just starting with a 6th and 7th grader. What levels would you recommend?
Thank you for the reviews. I think IEW has a formula that they use in all their books and it works. The program can be a bit overwhelming with the need for the teacher to purchase a pricey instructional set and learn how to use the program. But it does appear to be popular and effective. I have an American History book for IEW and I like the way it is formated.
I've been looking at Writing & Rhetoric. I think the thing with this program is that it builds. So instead of teaching the same set of skills every year, it teaches new skills with each book along with reviewing previous skills. Once a child has completed all of the books they would have built and practiced all of the necessary skills for high school writing. I have looked at the online samples and it does seem to have a lot more writing in the later books.
Having taught in the public school I see that both program are better than what most schools are using, but IEW seems to be more traditional in its methods. I see how Writing & Rhetoric (as well as Writing with Skill-also classical) takes a different approach to writing.
Thank you for the review. Writing & Rhetoric looks like a fusion of Writing With Ease/Skill and IEW. It's just seems more to the point, and a lot less formulaic. I think it will build on itself each year until all the key writing components are taught, but I suppose you have to stay on the train until the end to get everything out of it.
I miss our Writing and Rhetoric days.
I enjoyed every minute working on W&R with my daughter
I like that they have you tell the story back! I think that's so helpful.
Thanks for a great review - I have tried both with my oldest son who is finishing grade 8 this year and going back to school for grade 9. I agree with your comments
We started with Writing and Rhetoric and while I loved it my son hated it :P he got hung up on “what should I write” . Neither of my boys enjoy nor are strong in language arts but are very strong in science and math .
My oldest switched to the Level 1B Structure and Style video course for grade 8 and really benefitted from the “formula approach “.
My younger son is going into grade 4 and I have “All Things Fun and Fascinating” in order .
We did Primary Art of Writing in grades 2/3 . Just started Bible Heroes - like on lesson 2. He seems to like it but he is also more creative than his brother
Still on the fence whether to try writing and rhetoric with him or stick to IEW .🧐
FYI he hates the physical act of writing to the point of tears but does great with dictation . He is definitely my auditory / visual learner .
Thank you so much for sharing. Have a beautiful day!
I don't know what you ended up using, but I thought of Writing with Ease and Bravewriter when you described your younger son
As far as keyword outlines go my children flourished on the dynamic way that IEW taught the process and encourages personal expression. The use of small pictures or other non-word keywords to help them help the child to remember their story was very effective.
Thanks for sharing, neither one of this curriculums is familiar to me so it was really interesting to see how these work. As a writer...teaching good writing and writing with style and writing with heart and appeal is something that's important to me but it's not something we've ever really had a super fantastic curriculum for. (I grew up on Abeka...and still became a writer but I should probably credit college a lot more for that. lol!)
This was an excellent video. I have a struggling writer and it gave me some great ideas for our summer school and next year curriculum.
We just started IEW this year! My son loves it!
Nice comparison! Helps to figure out which one is more our flow.
This is not a fair comparison between these two books. Writing and Rhetoric is usually taught with A Well Ordered Language. IEW has both.
Thanks for sharing. I haven’t heard of Writing and Rhetoric before.
Hopeful as always. This is good to see as I am considering adding in a writing curriculum to our homeschool.
Thanks for the flip through, I think i like IEW.
Love seeing this comparison!!! Thank you!!!
Thanks for comparing these two curriculums for us.
Thank you for the review. New homeschool Dad with 10yr son going into 5th grade (Orlando FL). Anyone do group Zoom session on writing. I wonder if my son see others doing it then it will inspire him. He likes to read, and does wonderful in school but he does not like writing. even thought he tells great stories verbally. Seeking a way to increase his activity and interest in writing.
If you are looking for a group setting, find a Classical Conversations Co-op near you. They have a whole program, but one year my 5th grader did just the essentials aspect which covers IEW and INTENSE grammar
wow! Both are good programs I haven't heard of either of these! I love those voab reviews in the end!
Also love that banish boring words! That would even be good for my first grader who is learning Oral narrative right now!
Happy Thursday. I’m here staring, watching
Your videos reflect good education, you are a great mom
Thanks!
So helpful. Thank you!
Thank you for review. I love your videos.
Thanks for the review, Leilani. I'm a former public and private school teacher as well. I'm familiar with teaching writing using the writer's workshop model directed towards classroom use, which doesn't work in a homeschool environment. I'm still hung up on trying to decide on IEW or WR. Which one would you recommend if you wanted to go at a faster pace? Thank you
That's a hard one, probably IEW.
@@LivingWithEve thanks for the swift reply!
I may have missed this but with Writing and Rhetoric… does your child have to be able to write all of the activities themselves or can you help with… say… half of the lesson? My daughter is still working on spelling. She is in 3rd grade.
I’ve thought of starting one of these with my 5th grader.... or sticking with The Complete Writer... 🧐
Could you review Cottage Press? 😀
Unfortunately Structure and Style was not a good fit for my daughter at this time however she is doing well with Fix It Grammar. Is All Things Fun and Fascinating a more gentle approach in comparison to Structure and Style? We are trying to find a writing program that fits.
It is different because it is parent led and not streaming based. But it has the same structure as structure and style.
I think iew looks more my style
Wow! Thank you so much for this video! My daughter is going into 4th grade and she doesn't like the writing and does very little reading (although she's a great reader). You explained it so well and compared them clearly. I just subscribed to your channel! Have you heard of the Night Zookeeper? What's your opinion about it? Thanks 🤗
I have, they did contact me for a partnership too. But I didn't take it only because I was already overwhelmed with curriculums and pretty sold out on the one we use. I don't know much, except that it is secular and computer based. I would try searching it on YT. But keep in mind, they are doing partnerships so you may not get a 100% accurate review.
I've been debating between these two for my son. Thanks so much!
Do you have a review on memoria press composition program??
Honestly I have never used that one. So Sorry.
I been watching your videos for the past few months and I'm guessing is the 1st time I hear you said you are a homeschool evaluator, Can you tell me what is that? I never heard that before. Do you know if there are any in Texas or is it just for Florida? Hope you don't mind to share. I'm new in all this homescooling.
It's part of Florida Law. I don't think Texas has this requirement. Your laws seem to be much easier. We all have to keep a portfolio and sit with a certified Florida Teacher and the kids have to review their work with them once a year. There are certified teachers that are dedicated Homeschool Evaluator for the State, that's what I do.
Did you have to go through the Teaching writing and style dvd for IEW?? Do recommend doing the class.
I did. I actually really like it, Andrew is funny and witty, but I don't think you need it. As long as you understand the basic structure. The DVD really just helps you understand how to teach the patterns better and gives you tip on how to do it.
I understand that IEW's Bible Heroes can be done without any prior knowledge of SSS Level A; is the same true of All Things Fun and Fascinating? Thanks, Shell
Yes
@@LivingWithEve Great! So what level of SSS would you recommend if a student has completed Bible Heroes and All Things Fun and Fascinating? Thanks, Shell
Hi Eve,
Is IEW good for a 4th grader? Or does it have levels for different grades? How is it organized? Thank you
Yes, They have a Structure and Style Level A for elementary students. They also have themed units. The unit called Fun and Fascinating is good for 4th Graders.
@@LivingWithEve Thank you. I appreciate it. 😊
Thank you for this information. Is IEW a complete LA program? Or would I have to add more to it?
I would say. You can get Phonic Zoo, Fix It Grammar and Structure and Style (or Theme based unit) and you have a complete LA curriculum.
Where how did you get the teacher manual for free? I've always had to buy it?
It was online, I just downloaded it. But it was only with the theme based lessons.
I am planning on buying the fables, myths and fairy tales IEW themed base student book for my daughter who is a reluctant writer. So that means I don't need the teachers manual. Or how do you acces it?
Hi! Would you mind sending a link for teacher’s manual. I can’t find it on the website.
You have to actually purchase the student manual first then you can access the teacher manual.
What do I need to buy? There are so many options? I have a 6th grader who is a great writer.
I had ordered the w&r but I have seen so many reviews on IEW. But confused where I start?
If you order WR, then try that one. If it works, keep it. If not try IEW. With IEW for a 6th grader Ancient History is good, so is the Lion Which and the Wardrobe. WR has the books leveled on their website.
@@LivingWithEve I saw another UA-camr who said I have to start with the structure and style, is this right? i didn't get WR because they were out of stock
Great video. May I ask where you would start a 2nd grader in IEW? Many thanks
Either the Community Helpers or Bible Heros.
@@LivingWithEve ok, thank you
We are doing IEW Structure and Style with my 6th grader. All was good until we got to the forming an outline/story from pictures. Watching the videos which are normally well over an hour is a bit much. A lot mechanics and its boring my son. He is a veracious reader, very advanced for his age. Not so with writing, he just can't form thoughts and get them on paper. Didn't even know IEW had other styles. I thought it was just Structure and Style. We love fix it grammar. So whats the difference between structure and style and their other programs?
Well all of them seem to based on the same structure and style but they have different prewritten programs. Other than the structure and style stand alone book. Does that make sense?
The Structure and Style is more like the Suzuki teaching method for instruments. You are learning from the masters, rewriting what they have written so then when you write independently it will be good. It has all the dress ups and vocabulary. The other methods tend to have the typical 5-6 sentence paragraph and 3 -5 paragraph structure. Hope that makes sense.
@@LivingWithEve Yes it does, thank you!!
Thank you for sharing this comment. This sounds like my son. He likes to read and can verbally tell great stories, however when he has to do school work book summary he cant get his thoughts on paper. Many times he feels it takes to long to do the steps of key words and outlines, (i do think that is a good model). anyway thanks
@@vernonneile You are welcome! Maybe it’s a boy thing? We are trying another program called Writing Rhetoric from classical academy press. We will see how he does. I still have IEW as back up.
@@76katster how is it going w with W & R, we are about to start it with my 4th grader? :)
Gonzalez Margaret Martinez Jeffrey Hall Sarah
with IEW, do I really NEED the teacher training course? Its so expensive :-( But the program looks fantastic!!
No, I don't think so.
@@LivingWithEve thanks!!
Hello can you tell me do you do Math, Social Studies, Geography, and English with the children if so which books do you use?
I have a couple of curriculum pick videos, this one might help. ua-cam.com/video/umsqPrb4VKA/v-deo.html