Please do not take my comment as a criticism in any way. I believe second grade is a great time to lightly introduce grammar and writing, but it is very early to be seriously covering material with the intent to master or even recall grammar terms or writing processes. I taught in the public school setting (k-5) for 13 years before starting a family and staying home with my children. I have a master's degree in Reading Ed. and taught writing k-5 for 4 years. We want children to be exposed to many things at a young age, and that is wonderful. But we cannot expect children to master grammar and writing skills until much later. I think your son did admirably if he sat through the videos and attempted the work! Kudos to you for giving him exposure. Just don't worry if he forgets things for the assessments at his age. As a high achiever, I sense you might be one as well😄 in which case it can be stressful if our children don't seem to be remembering the material. I am so curious to see what you will be doing with him next year after all of the research you have done! Researching curriculum can be like falling down a rabbit hole!
I agree with this. I started using this level with my 10 year olds and found they were much more receptive to the material. We had tried a higher level that this program suggested for their age group and it was intense. I did not find this to be grade level at all.
I always feel like children need to be fluent readers and have quite a bit of reading experience before introducing grammar. Grammar rules don’t change and children have many years to learn grammar and all the rules that go with it. Thanks for such a thorough review.
Grammar and detailed paragraphs at grade 2 is a little advanced. ABeka is also advanced/a year ahead so don’t worry. We did basic grammar and writing with grade 2. Also, could be the video lessons are not his learning style. I agree with focusing on reading before delving into grammar and writing. Grammar comes a little later. Get them reading well and through reading writing develops. And then comes the grammar. Grade 4 is when it starts to stick for most. Love your reviews! You have the calmest tone and demeanor. 😊
Currently they have a free 10 week summer plan for their writing programs. We bought the level 3 but weren’t quite ready for it at the end of grade 2 so I bought EIW level 2, and will do their 10 week accelerated plan to complete level 2 before we start grade 3 in the fall! An option for people wanting to benefit from the program without doing the whole 32 weeks :)
We really like EIW! My daughter did level 1 and my son did level 3. So simple and easy to use. We will be continuing with it for my son and trying something else for my daughter. Definitely a keeper for my son!
You give such helpful reviews! We are using Jot it Down and First Language Lessons with our first grader next year. I hear you when you say giving a pass in grammar. Though we are doing those programs, I really think having a good grasp on reading, handwriting, and just being able to articulate their ideas outloud are the best foundation. Hitting the grammar a little harder once they get those things down makes alot of sense to me.
So dying to know what you’re switching to 😂?? I used level 4 first time this year for my 5th grade reluctant writer, and overall a success! I’m the same with not feeling comfortable teaching writing, so watching the videos with my son enabled me to feel prepared to support him in the writing assignments. Having the videos and small chunks also made sure I actually did writing this year! The previous year it sort of got pushed to the side because we didn’t have the right fit. I think I’ll continue EIW with him next year, jumping to level 6, to ensure we continue to make progress with writing. However, I don’t think I’ll start my 3rd grader with EIW next year because he’s very creative and not a reluctant writer, so I think a different program would be more enjoyable to him and because of EIW with my older son, O think I’ll be better prepared to lead a more creative program. Thanks so much for the review!! Enjoy your channel and videos!
This was extremely helpful! We are using EIW for the first time next year for my 8th grader and I was curious, if we like it, when to move my younger kiddos into it. They are currently using CLE, which is very grammar focused. I think if it turns out to be a good fit I’ll hold it in the back of my mind for when we come to the end of the elementary stage.
We are yet to use a writing curriculum!!! We do grammar lessons but I think don’t do much till level 3 tho. The student workbook looks awesome!!! We would do a grammar lesson then a writing lesson to break it up!!! Video lessons sounds awesome!!! I find my order kids still struggle with grammar and my teenage son needs to do a bit grammar randomly to help him!!! It sounds like it is a advanced curriculum!!!
We use EIW for first grade. I feel like it’s been a great introduction to writing for my child. We also add in creative writing activities using dictation. Doing this combination has worked well for us. Like you, I don’t think we will be using it for second grade. We are moving on to the poodle books from Michael Clay Thompson and continuing with our creative writing.
Thank you for your review. I was recommended to take a look at this program as I wanted to add more structured writing for my soon to be 4th grader. We are doing Brave Writer Darts & Arrows and my son loves to write and he is very creative and is always working on some sort of writing project,but as he is getting older I wanted to balance in some more structured writing as well. As a former first grade teacher ive added in writing prompts and projects, but now that hes older I feel he needs more. This seems like a good fit. Watching this and a few other reviews on EIW, I think this will work out well. I think i will tweak it a little though and start on the composition or like you said rotate composition and grammar. Or when im doing Bravewriters grammar align it and use EIW grammar for the formal lesson, practice and review.
We are going slow with writing due to my daughter having dyslexia. We are using Evan Moor 6 trait writing and will probably move to a more "structured" writing when she is in 4th grade. They also have a very nice grammar program as well.
Thank you for the video! Can you please speak to the research you did and the curriculum you're trying next? I'm not expecting mastery either, but I would like well rounded exposure.
Last year, 2nd grade, for my daughter, we used BJU English 2: Writing & Grammar. It was the subject we battled over the most, which we hadn’t really experienced before. I don’t think it was the curriculum as much as just the subject. My daughter loves writing, but not being given writing assignments. We’re doing it again this coming year. So we’ll see how it goes. 🤞🏻
This comment was left a while ago, but I was wondering how it went with BJU? I'm interested in their strong writing components as well as grammar. I was using Abeka previously for phonics, but I don't think their writing is strong enough. Thank you :)
@@GardenMinistry. I really liked BJU English. We used grades 2 and 3. I really liked that it alternates between grammar and writing. I also really liked their step by step approach. Unfortunately it was causing a lot of frustration for my daughter so after two years of trying, I decided to switch to Sonlight Language Arts. It is going much better, but it is a completely different style. If I could do it all over again, I would hold off starting English until 4th grade, then I would try BJU English 4. I hope this was helpful!
A few things here: 1. I plan on buying the 7th and 8th grade writing and the 11th grade literature. To anyone reading this that is going to buy the streaming: I want my 7th grader to do the 9th and 11th grade level when she hits those grades. I want my 9th grader to do the 11 the grade level when she is in 11th. The rep that I talked to said that the program has free renewal. For example, I can call them every year to renew the 9th and 11th grade levels that I'm going to buy. They will renew it every single time I call. So, they will " save " the 11 the grade streaming for me for the 4 years until my 7th grader needs it in 11th grade! I hope that made sense. It's easier to explain it verbally than to type it. 2. Do you think alternating the grammar and writing portions would work or do they flow together and build on each other? Do you think we could skip the grammar portion and head straight to the writing portion (my kids are grammar- exhausted). 3. My opinion and what I've seen with my kiddos: I only focus on reading, grammar, and literature up to grade 7. Then, I bring in a formal writing curriculum. We tried Writing strands in 4th through 6th a bit. That was a fail. I went back to my gut and said that I would never have a writing curriculum unilt 7th at the earliest, but preferably 9th grade. The only reason my 7th grader will be doing writing is because she asked for it.
I’d love to know what you’re using now. I used EIW a few years ago and honestly can’t remember why I stopped…. Probably due to the composition.. but don’t remember. I just know IEW isn’t working and I need a change for my 4th grader.
My son is in the middle of 2nd grade and I’m seeing that writing it definitely the hardest part for him. We are currently doing Abeka 2 but I don’t think it’s enough free writing to see if what the lesson we are going through are sticking. After watching many of your videos I’m planning on doing BookShark Language Arts 2 next year. It’s comparable to Sonlight. We are with a charter and they won’t purchase Sonlight. But do you think it would be enough to just do the Language arts 2? Or should I get this EIW 2 to go along side with it next year to help him understand more?
Kids forget things, it is normal, thatbthe reason the school program repeat most of the staff over n over ...year after year n introduce a little of new information in it. So guess he can do iew again n again or another one....by 5th grade he might be really good writer. 2nd grade, they rnjust beguining to read n write....but I guess he must kne more than an average 7yo in writing.... Sorry about my typo n grammar ...it is not my 1st language, thinking on using iew to learn to write in english together with my son.
Love these videos, so helpful for me. I am using EIW 1 now with my 3rd grader, who is behind in reading. I hope to move really quickly through it and then I am not sure if I will continue on to a different program or stick with it. Between WWE and EIW which did you like better?
I really do like how WWE is taught but you really do have to commit to it long term to see the benefits ... I think EIW would work better if you are wanting to move quickly through concepts!
Please do not take my comment as a criticism in any way. I believe second grade is a great time to lightly introduce grammar and writing, but it is very early to be seriously covering material with the intent to master or even recall grammar terms or writing processes. I taught in the public school setting (k-5) for 13 years before starting a family and staying home with my children. I have a master's degree in Reading Ed. and taught writing k-5 for 4 years. We want children to be exposed to many things at a young age, and that is wonderful. But we cannot expect children to master grammar and writing skills until much later. I think your son did admirably if he sat through the videos and attempted the work! Kudos to you for giving him exposure. Just don't worry if he forgets things for the assessments at his age. As a high achiever, I sense you might be one as well😄 in which case it can be stressful if our children don't seem to be remembering the material. I am so curious to see what you will be doing with him next year after all of the research you have done! Researching curriculum can be like falling down a rabbit hole!
No criticism taken, thank you for sharing your experience!
I agree with this. I started using this level with my 10 year olds and found they were much more receptive to the material. We had tried a higher level that this program suggested for their age group and it was intense. I did not find this to be grade level at all.
I always feel like children need to be fluent readers and have quite a bit of reading experience before introducing grammar. Grammar rules don’t change and children have many years to learn grammar and all the rules that go with it. Thanks for such a thorough review.
Grammar and detailed paragraphs at grade 2 is a little advanced. ABeka is also advanced/a year ahead so don’t worry. We did basic grammar and writing with grade 2. Also, could be the video lessons are not his learning style. I agree with focusing on reading before delving into grammar and writing. Grammar comes a little later. Get them reading well and through reading writing develops. And then comes the grammar. Grade 4 is when it starts to stick for most. Love your reviews! You have the calmest tone and demeanor. 😊
Currently they have a free 10 week summer plan for their writing programs.
We bought the level 3 but weren’t quite ready for it at the end of grade 2 so I bought EIW level 2, and will do their 10 week accelerated plan to complete level 2 before we start grade 3 in the fall! An option for people wanting to benefit from the program without doing the whole 32 weeks :)
I did not see the accelerated part. Where can I find it on the website? I would love to do that.
We really like EIW! My daughter did level 1 and my son did level 3. So simple and easy to use. We will be continuing with it for my son and trying something else for my daughter. Definitely a keeper for my son!
You give such helpful reviews! We are using Jot it Down and First Language Lessons with our first grader next year. I hear you when you say giving a pass in grammar. Though we are doing those programs, I really think having a good grasp on reading, handwriting, and just being able to articulate their ideas outloud are the best foundation. Hitting the grammar a little harder once they get those things down makes alot of sense to me.
So dying to know what you’re switching to 😂??
I used level 4 first time this year for my 5th grade reluctant writer, and overall a success! I’m the same with not feeling comfortable teaching writing, so watching the videos with my son enabled me to feel prepared to support him in the writing assignments. Having the videos and small chunks also made sure I actually did writing this year! The previous year it sort of got pushed to the side because we didn’t have the right fit. I think I’ll continue EIW with him next year, jumping to level 6, to ensure we continue to make progress with writing.
However, I don’t think I’ll start my 3rd grader with EIW next year because he’s very creative and not a reluctant writer, so I think a different program would be more enjoyable to him and because of EIW with my older son, O think I’ll be better prepared to lead a more creative program.
Thanks so much for the review!! Enjoy your channel and videos!
hi there! I'm curious to know what you ended up using for your creative 3rd grader, as my daughter is going into 3rd and she's very creative as well.
This was extremely helpful! We are using EIW for the first time next year for my 8th grader and I was curious, if we like it, when to move my younger kiddos into it. They are currently using CLE, which is very grammar focused. I think if it turns out to be a good fit I’ll hold it in the back of my mind for when we come to the end of the elementary stage.
Your review makes so much sense! Readiness is key and that will be different for each child.
We are yet to use a writing curriculum!!! We do grammar lessons but I think don’t do much till level 3 tho. The student workbook looks awesome!!! We would do a grammar lesson then a writing lesson to break it up!!! Video lessons sounds awesome!!! I find my order kids still struggle with grammar and my teenage son needs to do a bit grammar randomly to help him!!! It sounds like it is a advanced curriculum!!!
We use EIW for first grade. I feel like it’s been a great introduction to writing for my child. We also add in creative writing activities using dictation. Doing this combination has worked well for us. Like you, I don’t think we will be using it for second grade. We are moving on to the poodle books from Michael Clay Thompson and continuing with our creative writing.
I really enjoyed your review... I'm toying with ELA curriculum and I'm torn between EIW and IEW. This helps a lot!
Thank you for your review. I was recommended to take a look at this program as I wanted to add more structured writing for my soon to be 4th grader. We are doing Brave Writer Darts & Arrows and my son loves to write and he is very creative and is always working on some sort of writing project,but as he is getting older I wanted to balance in some more structured writing as well. As a former first grade teacher ive added in writing prompts and projects, but now that hes older I feel he needs more. This seems like a good fit. Watching this and a few other reviews on EIW, I think this will work out well. I think i will tweak it a little though and start on the composition or like you said rotate composition and grammar. Or when im doing Bravewriters grammar align it and use EIW grammar for the formal lesson, practice and review.
I think that sound a wonderful plan! I'm thinking of using some Brave Writer this year along with Logic of English!
We are going slow with writing due to my daughter having dyslexia. We are using Evan Moor 6 trait writing and will probably move to a more "structured" writing when she is in 4th grade. They also have a very nice grammar program as well.
I do like that it's in color as well. I'm looking closely at EIW.
Thank you for the video! Can you please speak to the research you did and the curriculum you're trying next? I'm not expecting mastery either, but I would like well rounded exposure.
Currently we are using Abeka plus Sonlight - I like the balance! I really need to make a video!
Last year, 2nd grade, for my daughter, we used BJU English 2: Writing & Grammar. It was the subject we battled over the most, which we hadn’t really experienced before. I don’t think it was the curriculum as much as just the subject. My daughter loves writing, but not being given writing assignments. We’re doing it again this coming year. So we’ll see how it goes. 🤞🏻
This comment was left a while ago, but I was wondering how it went with BJU? I'm interested in their strong writing components as well as grammar. I was using Abeka previously for phonics, but I don't think their writing is strong enough. Thank you :)
@@GardenMinistry. I really liked BJU English. We used grades 2 and 3. I really liked that it alternates between grammar and writing. I also really liked their step by step approach. Unfortunately it was causing a lot of frustration for my daughter so after two years of trying, I decided to switch to Sonlight Language Arts. It is going much better, but it is a completely different style. If I could do it all over again, I would hold off starting English until 4th grade, then I would try BJU English 4. I hope this was helpful!
Thanks for sharing, this review was very helpful.
Thanks for the review!
You are very welcome!
A few things here:
1. I plan on buying the 7th and 8th grade writing and the 11th grade literature. To anyone reading this that is going to buy the streaming: I want my 7th grader to do the 9th and 11th grade level when she hits those grades. I want my 9th grader to do the 11 the grade level when she is in 11th. The rep that I talked to said that the program has free renewal. For example, I can call them every year to renew the 9th and 11th grade levels that I'm going to buy. They will renew it every single time I call. So, they will " save " the 11 the grade streaming for me for the 4 years until my 7th grader needs it in 11th grade! I hope that made sense. It's easier to explain it verbally than to type it.
2. Do you think alternating the grammar and writing portions would work or do they flow together and build on each other? Do you think we could skip the grammar portion and head straight to the writing portion (my kids are grammar- exhausted).
3. My opinion and what I've seen with my kiddos: I only focus on reading, grammar, and literature up to grade 7. Then, I bring in a formal writing curriculum. We tried Writing strands in 4th through 6th a bit. That was a fail. I went back to my gut and said that I would never have a writing curriculum unilt 7th at the earliest, but preferably 9th grade. The only reason my 7th grader will be doing writing is because she asked for it.
I’d love to know what you’re using now.
I used EIW a few years ago and honestly can’t remember why I stopped…. Probably due to the composition.. but don’t remember. I just know IEW isn’t working and I need a change for my 4th grader.
I switched to Sonlight language arts and I really love it - the diamond notes were wonderful at giving my son a structure for his writing!
Easy Grammar was great for us
My son is in the middle of 2nd grade and I’m seeing that writing it definitely the hardest part for him. We are currently doing Abeka 2 but I don’t think it’s enough free writing to see if what the lesson we are going through are sticking.
After watching many of your videos I’m planning on doing BookShark Language Arts 2 next year. It’s comparable to Sonlight. We are with a charter and they won’t purchase Sonlight. But do you think it would be enough to just do the Language arts 2? Or should I get this EIW 2 to go along side with it next year to help him understand more?
Kids forget things, it is normal, thatbthe reason the school program repeat most of the staff over n over ...year after year n introduce a little of new information in it. So guess he can do iew again n again or another one....by 5th grade he might be really good writer. 2nd grade, they rnjust beguining to read n write....but I guess he must kne more than an average 7yo in writing....
Sorry about my typo n grammar ...it is not my 1st language, thinking on using iew to learn to write in english together with my son.
Love these videos, so helpful for me. I am using EIW 1 now with my 3rd grader, who is behind in reading. I hope to move really quickly through it and then I am not sure if I will continue on to a different program or stick with it. Between WWE and EIW which did you like better?
I really do like how WWE is taught but you really do have to commit to it long term to see the benefits ... I think EIW would work better if you are wanting to move quickly through concepts!