This writing program from the Institute for Excellence in Writing uses the Bible as source text. 30 lessons are included in the spiral text with ready-made lesson plans, Scripture used as a subject for writing, and multi-level checklists. Each lesson provides a specific objective, at least two translations of Scripture, an assignment with checklists, and a space for the final copy to be written or pasted into the book, which creates a portfolio of the year’s work. Checklists are provided for three different levels: elementary, intermediate, and senior. Sample compositions are plentiful, as well as vocabulary development and review exercises to strengthen understanding of stylistic techniques. The story of Noah forms the core of the first two units. Unit 3 focuses on sequencing and sources include the miracle at Cana, the parable of the talents, the story of Jonah, the Good Samaritan, and the Prodigal Son. Unit 4 lessons have students read and summarize Paul on Charity, Jesus’ Miracles, Christ’s Last Words, along with stylistic exercises taken from Psalms. Custom pictures have been created for Unit 5 lessons (Esther, Daniel, Nativity, Paul’s conversion), and Unit 6 uses the synoptic gospels to teach multiple reference summarizing. With Unit 7, a few creative writing opportunities are suggested, and Unit 8 continues the five paragraph model with essays on Job’s suffering, Christ’s condemnation by Pilate, and the duties of a Christian. Unit 9 presents an analysis of the books of Ruth and Jonah, as well as the story of David and Goliath. A great supplemental source for any writing curriculum.

Customer Review

 
Laurie G. from Virginia wrote the following on 12/18/2007:
We LOVE Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)! I have found it to be the easiest way to teach writing to any age, any academic strength child (mother of 4). It is easy to get started teaching the children that they are "dressing up" their paper, as we dress up to go to church. Mine really get into it. Children as young as grade 2-3 can easily be taught to do key word outlines and begin writing, adding the most basic dress-ups. We have used it in a co-op with multiple children from grade 2- high school. It is so simple to work on that child's level, tailoring it to him/her. You will likely find ample opportunities to add in grammar lessons, as the dress-ups involve adding adjectives, adverbs and prepositional phrases. Using these parts of speech in their writing actually helped "cement" them in my children's heads. The children have checklists (as do you) to help identify what is missing from their paper. I do recommend either attending a seminar or watching the DVD's. I was blessed to have a friend who owned them and we borrowed them. The up front cost would be great purchasing the DVD's also, however I do think it is worth it. You can use it over and over with all your children at all ages.