
When
I found out we were getting to review Teaching
Writing: Structure and Style, and Student Writing Intensive Level
A for
the Institute
for Excellence in Writing (IEW) I
honestly jumped up and down and did my happy homeschool mom dance!
(Sorry, no videos!) I have heard such fantastic things about this
program, but I wasn't sure if it would be autism appropriate, so I
never had the chance to try it out. For those who may not know,
Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, and Student Writing Intensive
Level A deluxe package is a GREAT DVD based program by Andrew Pudewa that not only teaches your child the mechanics of the writing process, but also teaches you how to teach your child!
Teaching
Writing: Structure and Style is a 12 DVD seminar that comes with a
binder full of the TWSS practicum workbook teaching goodies. TWSS is great for helping YOU
teach your child so you both master the art of writing! Student
Writing Intensive A is a first level writing program designed for
kids in the 3rd-5th grade range. This program is a great tool that breaks
down the writing process into smaller pieces so that your student can
master writing in a logical, and easy to follow manner.
For
this review: We received the Teaching Writing/Student Writing Value
Package Level A ($249.00 as of the writing of this blog.) In this
package we received the 12 seminar DVD and practicum workbook, 5
student DVDs and Student Notebook with handouts and lesson plan
suggestions, and 1 year premium online access. This is a very large package!
How
We Used This:
I
wanted to follow the lesson plan exactly as it is written, but found
I needed to move a little slower with Mr. B. Up until this point, I
had tried nearly everything to help him write, and nothing worked. I
was cautiously optimistic about IEW. I popped in the first DVD, and
sat back in shock! Over the course this year, I have discovered Mr. B
responds really well to DVD style programs, and this one is no
different. At the beginning, Andrew Pudewa instructs his students to
use a code system for raising their hand, this is one of my son's
favorite things about this program HAHA! He is always holding his
hand up now with the appropriate number of fingers! So at that moment
I knew he would take to this program.

As they underline the words, they are to make a list of the words. Neatness doesn't matter here, as it is just a brainstorming type of work. So long as the child can read it, that's the important thing. The DVD goes over the first 5 lines, and the child is on his/her own for the 6th. Mr. B was pretty nervous he had gotten it wrong (meaning no one else on the DVD chose his specific 3 words) so he was pretty excited when one child on the DVD said the exact same 3 words Mr. B chose, and Mr. Pudewa said good job! To Mr. B, he was bragging specifically on him!
This is the back of the handout. It's a check list to make sure they have everything correct with their paper. After you make up your keyword list, you have to make up sentences for each, and then combine some sentences with a "which " clause. The child has to write a rough draft, then a very neat, with no mistakes, final draft. There is a specific structure to the papers, as shown by this photo, and this is great for Autism/Asperger's due to the routine nature. They don't have to wonder if their set up is correct because it is the same set up each time. They must use ink pens only, leave a line between each sentence, and make all corrections in the free space.
Another really great aspect of this program is the editing skills your child develops. They will learn editing shorthand/symbols and the mechanics of proofreading while going from their rough draft to their final drafts. This is the first program I've seen that truly teaches the entire writing process. This isn't just freewriting or prompts. This is reading about something, picking out the note taking keywords, rewriting the information into their own words (more or less) editing a rough draft, and then finally producing a final draft of their own work.
Does Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, and Student Writing Intensive Level A Pass My 4 Ingredient Test?
There is a schedule provided that really does provide the best results. I wouldn't suggest skipping anything as they build upon each other. There is ample practice, so you could skip a skill if your child has mastered the concept, but I really think practice makes perfect and it would be best to follow the provided schedule. You can, of course, keep practicing and take a more slow approach as we have had to do.
2.) Value: Is it long lasting? Will it cover multiple grade ranges? Are you locked in to one specific grade level? Are there hidden fees?
There are NO hidden fees. You get your package, and it contains everything you need except plain notebook paper and the writing utensils. You get the DVDs, Binder/case for the DVDs, binders, student handout pages, dividers, and instructions for putting it all together. The deluxe package is great, and I received a code that unlocked a year's worth of goodies, too! This does cover multiple grade ranges, so it is long lasting.
3.) Attention span: Is it boring? Is it engaging? Is it varied enough for ADHD? Does it last too long?
2.) Value: Is it long lasting? Will it cover multiple grade ranges? Are you locked in to one specific grade level? Are there hidden fees?
There are NO hidden fees. You get your package, and it contains everything you need except plain notebook paper and the writing utensils. You get the DVDs, Binder/case for the DVDs, binders, student handout pages, dividers, and instructions for putting it all together. The deluxe package is great, and I received a code that unlocked a year's worth of goodies, too! This does cover multiple grade ranges, so it is long lasting.
3.) Attention span: Is it boring? Is it engaging? Is it varied enough for ADHD? Does it last too long?
I'll be 100% honest, when I first popped in the DVD I really thought Mr. B would be bored. But, he wasn't! Andrew Pudewa must possess some sort of magical kid quality because he captivates your attention, and really encourages your child to WANT to learn and WANT to do well! The lessons are not terribly long, you can pause the video if needed for sensory breaks, and Mr. Pudewa is funny and really gets on the child's level. All of that works together to make the program really good for kids.
4.) Does it tie into other things we already have.
4.) Does it tie into other things we already have.
The handout topics are pretty varied, so those may or may not touch upon a topic you are currently covering. BUT, writing ALWAYS ties in with other subjects. We carried the lessons over into other subjects by locating the key words in writings/passages, reworking sentences with the "which" clause, editing and proofreading, etc.
Overall:
Overall, WE LOVE IT! It is a great program for special needs and all learning styles. Mr. Pudewa really gets on the child's level and makes the learning process fun and low stress. The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) has a special place in their hearts for special needs, and it shows with this product. They don't downplay the writing process, or "dumb" it down at all, which, as a special needs parent you totally get where I'm coming from there! There is nothing more frustrating than wanting your child to reach his/her full potential, grabbing a product that is designed for "special needs" and it is on a grade level ages below, or leaves out stuff that the product for a "typical" learner would have included. IEW does NOT do this! This is the same product for typicals as well as special needs, but it is presented in such a way that ALL can learn and benefit from it. I know I have mentioned my son's struggles with getting is thoughts from his brain to the paper. IEW breaks the writing process down into smaller steps, and it shows kids like mine how to save those brain ideas and get them on the paper. The keywords, underlining, allowing for proofreading and corrections, and calm environment all work to make this possible. MY SON WROTE A PARAGRAPH PEOPLE! HE WROTE A PARAGRAPH! He did something I honestly didn't think he'd ever do! MR. B wrote a PARAGRAPH! This is more than a language arts curriculum, it is more than a writing program....it is a life changer for us! I want to shout it from the hills, HE WROTE A PARAGRAPH!
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I loved reading your review! I can feel your excitement about this curriculum coming through your post. =) I'm absolutely ecstatic about IEW too!! Very impressed with both the teacher's course and the student's course. I love that my son loves writing now! What a difference this product has made in our home!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am so happy! I was so worried he'd never learn to write!
ReplyDelete