Introduction to IEW Skills and Development

Please note: The 10:00 class will be more introductory, where the 9:00 class will be more appropriate for returning students.

The IEW program introduces students to the art of writing by introducing individual skills slowly, as students gain confidence in their writing abilities.  Students will create their own written masterpieces, which will be based off of well-known fables, myths or fairy-tales.  

This class will follow the same structure each week, with introduction of new skills, as well as review of previous skills.  Students will be given the option to present their completed stories to the class.  Lessons will be teacher-led, with time reserved for both group work and individual work.  Additionally, we will create a class story, which we will continue to work on throughout the semester.  Even though this class meets once per week, I will be available throughout the week to assist students with questions or to provide feedback on completed work.

My teaching style is very supportive and interactive.  I provide lots of positive feedback, and my goal is to help students learn to assess their own work through thoughtful discussion and guidance.
Students should be able to read simple paragraphs and write sentences unassisted prior to enrolling in this class. 

Tentative 13 week plan.  Please note that I will adjust lessons as needed, based upon student progress.
Week 1: Discuss and review IEW skills, including creating a KWO and oral re-telling
Week 2: Review use of -ly adverbs and prepositions
Week 3: Review who/which clauses and strong verbs
Week 4: Review adjectives in your writing and begin first story
Week 5: Fun with alliteration and editing practice
Week 6: The "because clause," and final drafts due
Week 7: Writing from pictures: Using descriptive language
Week 8: Reviewing banned words and using a thesaurus
Week 9: Review all concepts so far and final draft due
Week 10: What is a clausal and how to use it in your writing.  Summarizing a short reference
Week 11: Similes and metaphors in your writing
Week 12: Super short sentences to make a point and final drafts due 
Week 13:  Optional story-share and complete review of all skills learned.