Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Structure and Style® for Students Year 1 Level C by Institute for Excellence in Writing®: A TOS Crew Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way

 





I have been a long-time fan of the Institute for Excellence in Writing®.  I've been teaching writing classes at our co-op for years using this method. (I need to add that one of my own graduates is now an English/Writing major in college - thank you IEW!)   For this review, I'm excited to introduce the newly revised Structure and Style® for Students Year 1 Level C by Institute for Excellence in Writing®!

This new revision replaces the previous edition of the Student Writing Intensive - Level C.  Let me start by telling you, this update is well worth your time and investment.

The Basic package contains everything you'll need for high school level writing instruction, all packaged together.
  • Teacher’s Manual
  • Student Binder with the Student Packet 
  • Activation code for 24 streaming videos (you get lifetime access!)
Students set up their binders with 8 tabs, one for each section:
  • Sources texts
  • Outlines
  • Work in Process
  • Finished Compositions
  • Stylistic Techniques
  • Banned words
  • Usage
  • Documentation
The course is designed for your students to complete independently by watching the video instruction given by Andrew Pudewa, the founder and creator of this award-winning curriculum.  It is organized into 24 units designed to take approximately a week each.  

The units cover:
  • Note Making and Outlines
  • Writing From Notes
  • Retelling Narrative Stories
  • Summarizing a Reference
  • Writing From Pictures
  • Summarizing Multiple References
  • Inventive Writing
  • Formal Essay Models
  • Formal Critique
Don't worry if you are not familiar with the IEW process, your student can begin with this level.  They have designed each level to repeat and expand on the same writing foundation.

The units do build their writing skills sequentially, so be sure to master one before moving ahead (and they have left plenty of time for your high school students to work at their own pace.)



So... what did I like about this update?  So many things!

First, Andrew Pudewa is one of my favorite "expert" teachers.  He teaches this course directly to the students, and the videos show him in action. They are recorded versions with a live class that your student watching at home can almost feel like they are taking part in. He has an engaging manner, using jokes and personal stories, that is easily relatable. I personally have learned how to become a better teacher by watching Mr. Pudewa in action. (I've spoken to him at homeschool conferences many times... he's exactly the same in person!)



Take a peek at this video to take a peek at a class:



I really like the updated notes and source material.  After teaching the program over and over, I have enjoyed having the new material.  The source texts are all very interesting and enjoyable topics - from Pirates to Classic Literature, they are great selections to practice the IEW writing models with.

The program is well-organized.  Weekly goals and suggested schedules are included for the student to follow along with. Optional grammar practice using Fix It? Grammar is also recommended (but not required). 


IEW has included the Model Charts that highlight the key points of each lesson, they keep them in their Student Binders for future reference.  Everything has been color coded, to make it easy to instantly recognize.


The Teacher Guide is a valuable tool for you to use.  Along with all the daily assignments, it includes Literature Selections you can add to round out your high school student's English credit.  We love that they are a variety of classics.  The Teacher Guide will show you how to adapt the schedule to use it for a 1, 2 - 3, or 4 - 5 day a week program - making it an ideal choice to use in a Co-op or home setting.

Another new feature is that the "Board Notes" are included in the Teacher Guide.  Mr. Pudewa utilizes the white board during the video lectures, and his notes have been reproduced in the Teacher Guide.  This is super helpful, especially for re-teaching or reviewing the material with your student.


"Paper Management" is another section that we greatly appreciate.  It directs the student exactly where to put things in their Student Binder to keep them organized.  This is not just a writing skill, but a valuable life skill!



I love that IEW has given us a vocabulary for writing.  It allows me to communicate precisely with my students, using a language we all understand.  Using a Checklist has taught my students how to build a solid structure to their writing, and the decorations and dress-ups they have learned have helped bring their unique style into their writing.


I really love the fresh update to a tried and true curriculum that we have used many times!  IEW has provided a solid base of strong writing skills that have prepared my students to excel at college.  
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