Name: CHEC Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-06-12T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-14T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Denver, CO

Tagged: IEW, MC, writing

This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 9 months ago by kurtjenvb.

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

Author
Posts
August 19, 2013 at 6:36 pm
kurtjenvb
Participant
Hi – I’m really having trouble settling on a writing program this year for my middle-schooler. I’ve gathered some information on what seems to be the two most popular “directed” programs (i.e. they use a formula approach) – IEW and MC. I’m not sure if this is the approach I want to use or not. If I would choose to use a “non-directed” approach, what are the good programs out there – are there any? Or does using a non-directed approach imply you don’t use a program? What about Beyond the Book Report by Analytical Grammar – is this a “directed” program?
I’d appreciate any advice!
August 19, 2013 at 6:58 pm
missceegee
Participant
Here’s a link to my preview review of BBR. http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/beyond-the-book-report-by-analytical-grammar-a-preview-review
It is somewhat directed, but MUCH less so than other programs I looked at.
August 19, 2013 at 7:00 pm
Rebekahy
Participant
There was another recent thread (like within the past two days) about IEW – you might want to do a search for that as it had a wide variety of suggestions and what different moms liked about each.
August 19, 2013 at 7:03 pm
TailorMade
Participant
Non-directed encouragement:
http://higherupandfurtherin.blogspot.com/
AG/BBR thread:
http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/7th-grade-la-plan-in-progress-please-help-me-to-think-through
Thread to help discern whether IEW is a fit for your family, or not:
I’ve used IEW with success with my children and in a co-op. I think the first link will certainly save you time and $, but only if you are committed to diligently pursuing CM style writing instruction.
For us, IEW has proven itself, but had I been able to wrap my brain around not using a curriculum, I’d have at least given it a shot. As it is, IEW has become a very beneficial habit for our children. They write well. They also find their own voice, a concern of those who don’t use IEW. Great books are just as much an influence in their lives as IEW. ;0)
August 19, 2013 at 7:43 pm
missceegee
Participant
I will add that we are very heavy on written narration. BBR will simply guide that a bit for a few weeks.
August 19, 2013 at 8:58 pm
kurtjenvb
Participant
Thank you – I just found an older thread about writing programs, which I just commented on, and so it has bumped up. It was very encouraging in the method of written narrations, so I’m thinking perhaps I can relax a bit about needing a writing program – but I’m wondering if BBR would be a nice supplement to the CM writing approach – I may try that one out.
Thanks again!