I copied some questions that were submitted to me last week. I hope these help some of you.
About how
much time a week/day do your students spend writing?
My kids
are 13, 16, 18 and they write each day. Sometime they write on a formal writing
project and other times they are writing in their reading journal, copybook or
commonplace book. They usually spend 15-30 minutes/day writing. The older ones
may spend more time. When they were younger, they spent about 15 minutes/day
writing.
How much
time did it take you at the beginning to work with them on IEW? I realize this
is one of my weaker areas and don’t mind spending the time to get us up to
speed; I just need to know how to set up our schedule if we decide to use it.
Right now I allow 1-1½ hours for a language arts block each day for my
4th grader. (This includes grammar, spelling and
writing.)
We all
spent more time together when we first started IEW so we could learn the
process. It probably took about 4-5 months for the kids to learn the process and
work independently. Even before that time, they had some assignments where they
could work on their own. The biggest skills they had to learn include key word
outlines, writing a rough draft from an outline, what the dress-ups are and how
to do them, editing their piece. If you spend 30 minutes a day on writing, you
should be fine.
Do your
children write every day? YES
At what
age would you start using IEW? (I have a five year old who has walked around
with a pencil since she was about 18 months and she is constantly writing. She
has my husband’s very quick mind, and is already reading on a
2nd/3rd grade level.)
My
youngest began around 7 years old. We wrote an outline together (I did the
writing). He dictated a sentence for each part of the outline (I typed his
sentences). We printed the paragraph and we edited it together, adding
dress-ups. We followed this pattern until he was 8 or 9 years old. Then, he
started writing his own rough drafts. At this younger age, we did not do a
formal writing assignment each day. We alternated with copy work and
dictation.
Would I be
able to teach both of the girls simultaneously and just expect more from my 9
year old?
Your five
year old might listen and do what she could. Until she is old enough to read
fairly well, I wouldn’t worry about these types of writing assignments. I would
have her copying words and sentences from good books she is reading or you are
reading to her. I don’t encourage writing assignments until a child is reading
and spelling on their own, usually around 7 or 8 years old. I would gear your
writing assignments to your 9yo and let your 5 yo “catch” what she can from the
discussions.
I hope
this helps a little more.
If you
have any further questions, please e-mail or check out our website,
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Kerry
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