Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Writing Seminar

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Teaching Writing: Structure and Style: Systematic Writing Instruction Program

Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS) is a comprehensive writing curriculum that provides teacher training through video seminars and student workbooks. The program teaches both creative and expository writing through structured, incremental lessons that build from note-taking and outlining to formal essays and literary analysis.

Best for

Homeschooling parents and teachers seeking structured writing instruction with extensive teacher support, particularly those lacking confidence in teaching composition to students grades 4-8

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 5 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum provides extensive teacher training with detailed video instruction and ongoing support resources.

Includes '14 hours of teacher training' videos, monthly webinar training, detailed manual, and 'Premium Subscription' with additional resources for teacher support

Direct InstructionStrength

The program emphasizes direct, explicit instruction with detailed teacher training and step-by-step methodologies.

Pudewa 'walks you through each strategy in detail' and provides '14 hours of teacher training' with clear instructions for introducing techniques at appropriate ability levels

Writing InstructionStrength

The curriculum provides highly structured, systematic writing instruction through nine progressive units.

Program covers nine units from note-making to formal essays, teaches incremental steps that are 'manageable and even enjoyable,' and includes both structure and style instruction with clear teacher training

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum offers some knowledge-building through themed supplement books covering history, Bible, and science topics.

IEW offers related resources like 'History-Based Writing Lessons,' 'Bible-Based Writing Lessons,' and 'Rockets, Radar, & Robotics' that can be used alongside the core program

Text ComplexityNeutral

The program is designed for grades 4-8 with adjustments for different ability levels, but specific text complexity progression is not detailed.

Course can be taught 'at a faster pace with older students and a slower pace with younger students' with 'information on grade level adjustments' included

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum incorporates note-taking and reconstruction activities that involve retrieval practice.

Students 'make notes from a model composition' using 'key words to convey main ideas' then 'work from their notes to reconstruct the piece,' which involves retrieval of content

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

Limited vocabulary instruction is integrated through writing activities and stylistic techniques.

The program teaches 'dress-ups,' 'decorations,' and other stylistic techniques that may include vocabulary development, but this is not explicitly detailed

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsNeutral

The curriculum uses model compositions and source materials for writing practice rather than focusing on reading whole books.

Students work with 'model compositions,' stories, and pictures as source material for writing assignments, with a section on 'Writing about Literature' added

Systematic PhonicsInsufficient Evidence

This is a writing-focused curriculum that does not address phonics instruction.

The program focuses on composition skills and writing instruction rather than foundational reading skills

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com