Week 8 - Excellence in Writing

Hello IEW families,
Excellence in Writing
I hope everyone enjoyed the first "Excellence in Writing Awards" celebration yesterday.  We missed all of the students who were unable to be present, but we will definitely take time in class next week to present your award and your prize.  The goal of this "event" was to encourage each individual child in their writing and to highlight all of the learning and unique writing gifts each of your children possess.  As I typed up each student's sentence, I was blown away by these 9 - 12 year old authors. God is good. Each of these children are a tremendous blessing to me.  I am honored to work with each of you each week. 

Unit III Writing Narrative Stories and the Story Sequence Chart
This week is our last week with Unit III.  Next week we will move forward to Unit IV.  The assignment is to complete Lesson 10, "The Fall of Babylon" story.  Please look to the Weekly Guide for ideas on how to pace your week.  Two week papers allow for a lot of flexibility in how you attack and complete the assignment.  The main goals are for your child to grasp the structure of a story and the elements of a story.  Each child drew a plot map in class to review that structure one more time before completing this last paper.  Use your final checklist for guidance on what Style elements to include and how to label the final draft. 

When you are Key Word Outlining, remember that we are NOT outlining every sentence in the story.  Read the whole section (for example, Section III Climax and Resolution) and then answer the Story Sequence Chart questions (located beside the outline) to form a KWO that will allow your child to retell the story in their own words.  YOU MAY  PULL WORDS FROM THE STORY, OR YOU MAY PULL WORDS FROM YOUR BRAIN.  Please call me or email if you need any guidance in this part of the writing process.   FLEXIBILITY IS THE KEY WITH THE STORY SEQUENCE CHART.

Grammar Rules Focus - Using Quotation Marks in Dialogue
DECORATION - Conversation
This week we are continuing to focus on using conversation in their story telling.  Review Rule 4 from the Grammar Rules section in your notebook for correct punctuating rules.  I included another quotation mark practice sheet in their lesson pack.  Complete this if your home school time allows.  They will receive Writing Rewards for completing these exercises, but they are OPTIONAL.  On the back I also provided a practice sheet that provides a look back at the Contractions vs. Possessive Pronouns rules.  COMPLETE IF TIME ALLOWS. At home, I use these as a quick warm-up before we start writing each day.

Moms, take a few minutes to read the back of the Structure and Style Weekly Guide.  I included a Q & A featuring Andrew Pudewa from the IEW Writing Forum. He explains the purpose behind Unit III and provides insight on the upcoming Units in IEW.  I found it very informative and I wanted to share it with all of you.  Also, "Leigh at Lunch" on blog talk radio at noon features an interview with Andrew Pudewa, tune in if you have time at lunch or you can go there anytime after the taping and hear the conversation.

Have a blessed week,
Tina