Search for: five-day-a-week schools
Feb 17, 2024
The Triangle of Writing Success>
Regardless of the educational environment students are in, whether it be a hybrid school, a charter school, or a five-day-a-week school, students learn best when they have unified support. This support primarily comes from three different places: the educator, the parents (or guardians), and the students themselves. Depending upon how the educational framework is structured, the responsibilities of the educator and the parents can differ. For... read more
A Tale of Two Schools>
Have you ever wondered how you, as a homeschooler, could help introduce IEW to your local school? Did you know that IEW offers special materials designed just for five day a week school teachers? Janet Spitler, Director of IEW's School Division, explains the best way for you to share IEW with your favorite teacher or school. Last spring a homeschooler called our School Division to let us know she had made... read more
Sep 08, 2015
IEW: Not Just for Homeschoolers! Podcast Episode 209>
The history of the Institute for Excellence in Writing stretches back in time quite a ways, all the way back to the single-room schoolhouse where Anna Ingham taught students of many ages. Designing the program that she called the Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning, she shared her method with her nephew, Dr. James B. Webster. He in turn took the program and shaped it to... read more
Mar 11, 2020
Structure and Style with Primary Students: A Conversation with Linda Mikottis: Podcast Episode 235>
In podcast Episode 235, Julie welcomed Linda Mikottis into the studio. Linda had come from her home in Illinois to Oklahoma to conduct a Primary Structure and Style workshop, a professional development workshop for primary (K‒2) teachers working at five-day-a-week brick and mortar schools. As IEW’s School Division’s lead implementation coach, Linda was there teaching the four-day workshop and managed to squeeze in some time... read more
Sep 02, 2020
A Five-Paragraph Level A Essay Sample>
If you are attending the Unit 8 webinar, or are listening to the archive, this student sample will be helpful. Download PDF read more
Mar 29, 2016
Ready, Steady, Start! >
Believe it or not, it is almost time to start back to school. In one form or another, whether it be traditional brick and mortar, a hybrid approach, online, or at home, the fall semester will begin. Ready or not, here we go! In recent months we have been sharing some free resources, hoping to inspire and encourage teachers and students. Just in case you... read more
Jul 30, 2020
Stronger Together>
Over the past month or so, people across the globe and around the country have come together to confront an invisible enemy. Facing uncertain days ahead, rather than looking at their own difficulties and misfortunes, people have done what they historically do in times like this: They help each other. Assistance has come in many forms. Purchasing groceries and delivering them to the doorsteps of... read more
Mar 30, 2020
The Five Canons of Rhetoric, Part 2: Podcast Episode 237>
Picking up from where they left off last week, Andrew and Julie continue their discussion about rhetoric. At the end of last week’s podcast, Andrew had delved a bit deeper into the first canon: invention. In podcast Episode 237, he continues to expand on the remaining four: arrangement, elocution, memory, and delivery. In both writing and speaking, once you have determined what you want to address... read more
Sep 16, 2020
A Tale of Two Schools>
How YOU Can Help Bring IEW® to Your Local School by Janet Spitler Last spring a homeschooler called our School Division to let us know she had made an appointment with a school to introduce them to IEW. Her plan was to bring her materials to a staff meeting and use them to demonstrate what she taught her children. She asked if she needed to leave the... read more
Feb 16, 2023
A Common Language>
Lower Yukon School District in Alaska implements IEW’s Structure and Style method districtwide to improve students’ language arts knowledge. Who are we? We are a people of the salmon, of the whitefish, and pike. Of the moose, bear, fox, beaver, and lynx. Of the berries, plants, and the land. Of family. Lower Yukon School District consists of ten villages across 22,000 square miles along the Yukon River... read more
Mar 02, 2024
Receive dual enrollment credit for Comp I and Comp II with IEW!>
We are thrilled to share with you this fabulous news: High school students can now earn dual credit for both Comp I and Comp II (a total of six credit hours) when they complete both Structure and Style for Students Year 1C and Fix It! Grammar Level 5: Frog Prince. This exciting opportunity has come together through a partnership between IEW and Christian Halls International.... read more
Feb 17, 2024
On the Tenth Day of Christmas IEW Gave to Me…>
Developing the Essayist audio download, Mini-Book Set for Units 4 & 6 e-book, free shipping, and more* Today’s blog post comes from Janet Spitler, a former classroom teacher and now director of IEW’s School Division. Offering training and tools for professional educators in a five-day classroom setting, our school division staff provides just what today’s teachers and schools need to teach their students to write. I remember feeling overwhelmed... read more
Jan 04, 2014
Tutoring with IEW—A Win-Win!>
IEW is taught across homes and schools all around the world. Often it is a teacher or parent who guides students through the IEW approach to writing, but tutors who meet with students just once or twice a week are using IEW to help their students as well. As a private tutor, I find great joy in helping my students achieve their best academically. But... read more
Sep 21, 2018
New to IEW! The Decision Tree>
At IEW we offer many products to meet your needs. We recommend all parents and teachers of writing begin with our core course, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, but beyond that we have a wide variety of materials designed to suit students of all ages, abilities, and learning environments. For parents and teachers new to IEW, the question invariably arises, “Where should I begin?” We... read more
Jun 07, 2017
On the Seventh Day of Christmas, IEW Gave to Me …>
Today's Focus — Classroom Teachers Gifts for Today a PDF of the Student Resource Packet a streaming video of However Imperfectly an introduction to Teaching Tips with Andrew Pudewa (TTAP) streaming video of Andrew Pudewa presenting Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing free shipping a chance to win one of three $50 IEW gift certificates Happy New Year and welcome to 2022! Today’s gifts will be enjoyed by all but are collected especially... read more
Jan 01, 2022
Grades 3–12 Teachers in Year 2 and Beyond: Customizing Lessons, Part 1 – Choosing Alternate Source Texts>
by Jean Nichols and Janet Spitler We have shared a plethora of information to help teachers and students who are new to the IEW approach to writing. This blog series answers the question, “What does Structure and Style ‘look like’ in Year 2 and beyond?” We will address the adjustments teachers should make in their instruction as they and their students move along a multi-year pathway toward... read more
Feb 16, 2024
Structure and Style for Students: Hybrid School Lesson Planning>
What is a hybrid school, and what makes lesson planning different for a hybrid school teacher? Hybrid schools meet one, two, three, or four days a week. This model of education has been growing in popularity for many years now, and it presents a unique opportunity for teachers and parents to work together to support the education of their students. Students in a hybrid school... read more
Jul 13, 2023
Getting Started with Introduction to Public Speaking>
The gifts on Day 8 of IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giving provide everything you need to start your students on the path to becoming confident and competent public speakers. Be sure you are registered for the event to receive the email with links to the gifts and the free shipping code. The first gift today is the Cultivating Language Arts – Preschool through High School... read more
Jan 02, 2024
Cultivating Gratitude: Podcast 397>
To kick off National Gratitude Month, this podcast episode highlights Ron Clark’s book The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator’s Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child. Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they discuss how teaching students the concepts outlined in the book can help students express gratitude in a myriad of situations. Congratulate classmates—clap loudly. If you win, do not brag; if you... read more
Nov 01, 2023
While Andrew’s Away—An Opportunity to Meet Beth O’Connor: Podcast Episode 134>
The podcast fun continued this past week even though Andrew was still on the road. In Podcast 134, Julie Walker introduces listeners to Beth O’Connor, one of IEW’s Schools Division Educational Consultants. Beth comes to IEW with a master’s degree in special education and many years of classroom teaching experience, but she admits that until she discovered IEW at her school in Louisiana, she was... read more
Apr 11, 2018
On Individualized Learning>
Today’s blog post is written by one of our customer service team members, and yet, remarkably, she’s just completing her junior year in high school! Kathleen shares her unique perspective as not only a student who has appreciated learning in a way that works for her, but who has also begun to help other students find ways to learn that work for them. We hope... read more
May 15, 2019
Announcing IEW’s Winter Retreat 2022: A Writing Workshop for Classroom Teachers>
The month of February presents a bit of a dichotomy. One on hand winter is waning and spring is beckoning. On the other hand, however, it is still winter. The cold winds are still blowing, and for many, snow is still a frequent visitor. For teachers and their students, it is an especially easy time to feel the fatigue from an already full year. How can... read more
Jan 17, 2022
Nurturing Success: Serving Schools of Every Kind: Podcast Episode 319>
In 1990 Andrew along with other teachers traveled to Alberta, Canada, for a ten-day teacher-training seminar. It was there that Andrew learned Dr. Webster’s Blended Structure and Style in Composition method. In Episode 319 Andrew shares how he brought the writing method to the states and how the methodology applies to any kind of educational setting. When Andrew returned from the seminar, he began to implement... read more
Apr 28, 2022
Growing Young Readers and Writers>
Why are the Primary Posters necessary in a K–2 classroom? One of the questions we hear frequently from teachers and principals concerns our Primary Posters for Kindergarten, Grade One and Grade Two: “Is this really something we need? Couldn’t we just use our document cameras and save money?” We certainly understand this concern. School budgets are tight, and every instructional dollar must count. However, the answer... read more
Feb 16, 2024
Imitation: A Common-Sense Approach>
by Andrew Pudewa As in many areas of education, the skill of writing has been elevated to the status of art, which it rightfully should be. However, this has often been to the detriment of children. Equating good with creative and creative with good, many teachers, schools, and curriculum publishers have taken an approach to teaching which more or less follows a hands-off method of instruction.... read more
Feb 17, 2023
The Work of a Child>
by Andrew Pudewa (This article first appeared in the March 2012 issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine®.) At some point, most homeschooling parents experience a sort of anxiety spike when their child hits twelve or thirteen years old. With the onset of ninth grade or “high school” just a year or so away, things seem to suddenly become more serious; heavy words like “transcript” and “ready for college” slip into... read more
Feb 17, 2023
Launching the Foundations of Literacy through Structure and Style in Grades K–2 Foundation #1: Language Development through Poetry>
IEW’s instructional materials for the primary grades are based on the proven methods of the Institute for Excellence in Writing’s Structure and Style approach and are inspired by the language development activities of Anna Ingham's Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning. This blending together of the ideas, mission, and vision of IEW’s founders has resulted in K–2 methods and materials that are both developmentally appropriate and... read more
Feb 16, 2024
IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giving: Podcast Episode 352>
Continuing the tradition set in 2010, IEW will once again celebrate Twelve Days of Christmas Giving. Starting on December 26, 2022, and ending on January 6, 2023, IEW will give away gifts on each of the twelve days that follow Christmas. In this week's episode, Andrew and Julie share a little bit about the history of the twelve days of Christmas, talk about the types... read more
Dec 21, 2022
Hybrid schools: Homeschooling just got a lot easier.>
Hybrid schools are popping up across the country at an astounding rate. At these schools, homeschooled students attend classes 2–3 days per week. The school chooses the curriculum, and teachers assign grades and provide the primary instruction. During the days that students are at home, parents the continue instruction. Why are so many families considering this option? Accountability With the demands of homeschooling, it can be helpful... read more
Nov 11, 2015
Oh, What You Can Do … in a Line! (Part 1)>
Seven Things You Can Do with Your Students to Make Their Time Standing in Line Productive How will I get it all done? This is the eternal question for teachers. Think about it. If someone introduces a new idea, the first question isn’t, “Will it work?”—even though we do ask that. Normally, our first question is “How much time will it take?” Since I had learned that... read more
Feb 16, 2024
Preparing for College and Career>
In the 1970s Dr. James B. Webster began each of his university history classes with lessons from his program Blended Structure and Style in Composition because his students could not write well enough to explain the history they were studying. Today, college professors continue to express concern about the deficient writing and speaking abilities of incoming students. In an effort to enhance student preparation for college,... read more
Jan 18, 2024
Success in Schools>
Teachers who are teaching writing well by Janet Spitler When it comes to teaching writing, the teacher must often choose between art and science. However, finding the freedom to express individual style and voice (the realm of the artist) does not negate the necessity of sound grammar and syntax (the realm of the technician). The success of Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® lies in its ability to... read more
Feb 17, 2023
Schools e-Newsletters>
Do you want to stay informed? Sign up here to receive relevant and timely e-updates about IEW events and products. Schools e-Newsletter Archive: 11/12/2024 - Schools e-Newsletter: November 2024 10/08/2024 - Schools e-Newsletter: October 2024 09/10/2024 - Schools e-Newsletter: September 2024 08/13/2024 - Schools e-Newsletter: August 2024 07/09/2024 - Schools e-Newsletter: July 2024 06/11/2024 - Schools e-Newsletter: June 2024 05/14/2024 - Schools e-Newsletter: May 2024 04/09/2024 - Schools e-Newsletter: April 2024 03/12/2024 - Schools e-Newsletter:... read more
Feb 17, 2023
Building a Sound City>
What do city streets, a senior retreat, digraph deliveries, and a silent letter library have in common? They can all be found in a Sound City! Building a Sound City bulletin board delightfully engages students in learning phonemes and phonograms by creating a visual representation of phonics that most would consider an auditory learning experience. All year long, children actively participate in the “construction” of... read more
Feb 16, 2024
The Art of Teaching a Skill>
or, The Skill of Teaching an Art by Andrew Pudewa MORTIMER ADLER, IN HIS PAIDEIA PROPOSAL calling for a return to a classical curriculum, points out one of the major problems of modern education: the confusion of Information, Ideas, and Skills. While Information (facts) is primarily learned through memorization and can be assessed on a percentage-success basis, Ideas are different—they are infinite and can’t be easily assessed... read more
Feb 17, 2023
Launching the Foundations of Literacy through Structure and Style™ in Grades K–2 Foundation #3: Teaching Phonics through Poetry>
So far in this blog series, we’ve focused on how the lesson plans in our K–2 Classroom Supplements use poetry study and memorization as the launching point for building oral language and vocabulary. This improves the way children speak, which, in turn, improves the way they write. Poetry is also an easy and effective way to teach grammar skills and is the ideal medium for... read more
Feb 16, 2024
Getting Started with Accreditation>
On Day 6 of IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giving, we offer several key gifts that will help you toward your goals of completing the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style course and submitting practicum assignments for accreditation. Be sure you are registered for the event to receive the email with links to the gifts and the free shipping code. The first gift is a code that... read more
Dec 31, 2023
The Value of a Consistent Writing Process for Schools>
A History of Inconsistency Over the course of my thirty-four-year career as an elementary school teacher, I taught at seven schools in three school districts in three different states. The districts ranged from rural to suburban to inner city, each with a prescribed curriculum—usually in the form of an adopted textbook series—for reading, math, science, social studies, spelling, and even handwriting. The one exception? Writing. For... read more
Feb 17, 2024
Launching the Foundations of Literacy through Structure and Style in Grades K–2 Foundation #2: Building Grammar Skills with Poetry>
In Part 1 of this series on IEW’s primary materials, we discussed poetry as a powerful tool in language development, specifically in building language skills and boosting reading comprehension. Part 2 examines the way poetry lessons also teach grammar effectively—and enjoyably—to lay a strong foundation for a solid understanding of grammar before children move into the intermediate grades. Most people would agree that good grammar is... read more
Feb 16, 2024
Homeschool 101: Podcast Episode 265>
This past year, did you become a first-time homeschooler? Are you considering extending your homeschooling experience next year, whether by continuing to home educate or perhaps by doing a bit of afterschooling? In podcast Episode 265, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker speak to the newest homeschoolers. It’s the first episode in a series of episodes that will focus on the needs and interests specific to... read more
Apr 09, 2021
Episode 77: School Choice: Teaching Writing Tips for Any Setting>
As parents and teachers, we have the tremendous responsibility of educating the next generation. It is certainly no small undertaking, and being aware of all the options is key to making a decision that best fits you and your students’ needs. Whether you are teaching at home or your student is enrolled in a 5-day-a-week school, Andrew and Julie provide insight and ideas that can... read more
Jan 19, 2017
IEW Accreditation: The Secret Key to Success>
Throughout the years, Institute for Excellence in Writing has continued to make its programs easier to implement. When IEW was founded over twenty-five years ago, teachers could only learn the Structure and Style methodology taught live or on video by Andrew Pudewa, Founder and Director, and then it would be up to the teachers to create their own lesson plans. Although that is still a fine... read more
Feb 03, 2023
Reminiscing: The Battle of the Books>
When I was teaching in a homeschool co-op back when my children were younger, each spring our local library invited area middle schools to engage in a round-robin competition, answering questions from any of fifteen assigned books. Each school could enter up to two teams of ten students each. Little did I know that this would be an event that my kids would look forward... read more
Feb 26, 2018
Learn about IEW’s Hybrid Schools Division: Podcast Episode 276>
IEW has long served the home education world. Several years ago the company also established a second division to support traditional schools, whether public or private. Did you know, however, that IEW has a third division? Called IEW’s Hybrid Schools Division, this branch of the company specifically serves educational environments where students go into schools for two to three days of the week and remain... read more
Jul 01, 2021
Training Method Options, Part 6: Live On-Site Professional Development — Observation and Coaching Day>
Making Excellent Writing Teachers through Individual Coaching IEW’s Observation and Coaching Day supports classroom teachers and administrators during implementation of the Structure and Style methodology after initial training (either live or video) has taken place and teachers have practiced the techniques in their classrooms. An IEW Implementation Coach visits the school site, observes four to seven classroom teachers teaching a writing lesson, and provides individual feedback... read more
Feb 17, 2024
Week 6 of the Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 6>
This week marked a return to fact-based, report-style writing with the introduction to Unit 6: Summarizing Multiple References. But before transitioning to that unit, Andrew and Julie spent the first portion of Monday’s Facebook Live event with Andrew talking about and answering questions about Unit 5. Some of the questions asked include the following: Are my students stuck with their key word outline in the order... read more
Aug 14, 2020
Training Method Options Part 7: Live On-Site Professional Development: Review and Refinement Day>
Making Master Teachers by Designing a Customized Professional Development Day for Your School People love to customize things. Whether it’s selecting the best options for a new car or building the perfect burrito at Chipotlé, we have become accustomed, as the old Burger King commercials promised, to “having it our way.” Why shouldn’t teachers have the same choice with professional development? Like IEW’s Demonstration and Coaching... read more
Feb 17, 2024
Customizing Lessons to Meet Your Students’ Needs – Filtering>
“The optimal learning environment is one which allows each child to progress at his own rate allowing sufficient repetition for mastery.” Andrew Pudewa, IEW Founder, Author, and Director In the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style seminar, you learned that students are not expected to master the individual units within one school year. Instead, teachers work through the nine structural models over the course of the year.... read more
Jan 18, 2020
Speaking of Speech...>
What is feared more than death itself? Public speaking! I’ve heard this all my life, but I wondered whether it was really true. It turns out, at least according to the 2016 Chapman University Study of American Fears, that only 19% of Americans are afraid of dying, while 25.9% are afraid of public speaking. Can you do anything to reduce your student’s fear of public... read more
Nov 18, 2016
CEUs – Tangible Evidence of Lifelong Learning>
Abbott Elementary is a popular ABC comedy about a public school in Philadelphia. In a recent episode, Barbara Howard, the no-nonsense, much-respected veteran kindergarten teacher, is called to account by her principal because she has not completed her required continuing education course for the year. Barbara has purposely avoided signing up for a class because she does not want to deal with the technology involved... read more
May 12, 2023
The Five Canons of Rhetoric, Part 1: Podcast Episode 236>
Unfortunately viewed by some people in the modern world with distaste, rhetoric has deep roots that extend all the way back to the ancients. But at its essence, rhetoric simply means “the art of persuasion.” Being able to study rhetoric and employ it in good and worthy objectives are noble pursuits. In podcast Episode 236, Andrew and Julie spend time discussing, describing, and defining the... read more
Sep 10, 2020
Training Method Options, Part 5: Live On-Site Professional Development – Demonstration and Coaching Day>
Over the course of my 34-year career as a classroom teacher, I participated in scores of staff development days, where my colleagues and I were trained in new instructional strategies or learned to use whatever textbook series was being adopted that year. Our brains overloaded with new learning, and under pressure from expectations for immediate success, we would return to our classrooms to try to... read more
Feb 17, 2024
Training Method Options, Part 4B – Live On-Site Professional Development of the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Two-Day Seminar>
Introducing a new writing process to your school or school district can be a huge undertaking—a significant change in the way your students will learn a critical skill. This isn’t possible without your teachers’ support. To get them on board, it’s important to make your teachers’ first impression of Structure and Style® a positive one. Why does this matter? According to Todd Whitaker, a national... read more
Feb 17, 2024
Assessing Student Growth with Fix It! Grammar>
Teachers in school classrooms need opportunities for assessing student growth whether by traditional tests or by some other assessment. Educational assessments are methods of measuring students' learning and progress. They are essential tools for classroom teachers and students to monitor, evaluate, and improve learning. Thoughtfully using information gained from assessments, teachers can help guide and engage their students in mastering concepts. There are different types... read more
Nov 16, 2023
Schools: Meet the Team!>
All over the globe, schools are implementing Structure and Style within their curricula. IEW has an entire team to support them as they teach their students. The Schools Division serves schoolteachers and administrators so that they can feel confident they are addressing their schools’ needs. Recently we reached out to the team members to learn what they love best about their jobs and which IEW... read more
Mar 11, 2020
IEW Curriculum Aligns with State Standards>
School teachers and curriculum directors often call IEW’s Schools Division asking if our curriculum meets state educational standards. Some schools or charter schools are not allowed to recommend items if they are not aligned with state standards, so it is important to have these standards. Additionally, teachers who have autonomy to choose curriculum for their classrooms sometimes need to provide standards documentation to their administrators.... read more
May 02, 2024
Off to a Strong Start: Preparing for Writing Instruction with Structure and Style>
Arranging desks, unpacking new textbooks, and dusting off classroom libraries in a freshly cleaned classroom gives even the most seasoned veteran a happy feeling of anticipation for the year ahead. Making a new start each year is one of the great joys (and best-kept secrets) of being a teacher, isn’t it? But before you get too busy with these preparations, back-to-school meetings, and staff development... read more
Feb 16, 2024
Episode 287: From the Mail Bag>
Email, snail mail, mail bag! Once again Andrew and Julie open and read mail sent from students, teachers, and parents. In this delightful episode students share how confident they are since learning IEW's writing method, and teachers and parents express gratitude for the transformation they've witnessed in their students' writing ability. By the way, many of the students wrote their letters using the five-paragraph model! REFERENCED... read more
Sep 14, 2021
A Simple Focus on What Works: Dr. Webster’s Two-Question Test>
Teachers by nature are seekers of new and innovative tools to improve our teaching. We sign up for workshops, attend in-services, read books, and scour social media for strategies to add to our “pedagogical bag of tricks” (Alber 2015). We return to our classrooms eager to implement new strategies with our students, only to find that most don’t work the way we’d hoped they would.... read more
Feb 16, 2024
Product Spotlight – Portable Walls: Desktop Writing Stations for Information at Your Fingertips>
“You Are There” was a popular television show in the 1950s. Aired on CBS and hosted by Walker Cronkite, the program featured events in world and United States history such as the death of Socrates, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the crash of the Hindenburg. Each episode featured modern-day news reporters who interviewed the historical figures and reported on the events in dramatic reenactments.... read more
Feb 17, 2024
Rebuilding the Wonderful Wall>
Have you heard the old adage “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone?” Recently, a homeschooling mother of three had an experience that proves the wisdom in this saying. Last week I took down my word wall. It was a combination of the Phonetic Farm and a word wall. It had been three years since the wall went up, and I never finished putting up... read more
Feb 08, 2016
Episode 37a: Structure and Style Unit 8: Easy Essays and Beyond, Part 1>
Join Andrew Pudewa as he walks you through Unit 8, the daunting essay. Andrew will take you through the step-by-step process of crafting an essay so that you can understand the basic structure as well as discuss the various essay types and their differences. To ensure maximum understanding, he will also guide you through a practicum assignment. Go To Part 2. Referenced Materials: Click here to download the slides that accompanied... read more
Apr 05, 2016
Filling Your Educational Bucket>
Summer. It’s a season to rest and recover from the hard work of being an educator, right? Whether you are a five-day-a-week teacher in a brick and mortar school, a co-op facilitator teaching once or twice a week, or a home educating parent, teaching can take a toll on your enthusiasm and outlook. And when summer finally rolls around, about the last thing any educator... read more
Jun 28, 2018
Training Method Options, Part 1: Video Training through Individual Streaming>
Finding enough time to train your teachers together can be a challenge. Administrators’ schedules are busier than ever, and teachers have enough to do in their classrooms without making them attend another afterschool in-service or compelling them to give up part of their summer break. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to give your teachers professional development in the comfort of their homes or classrooms at... read more
Feb 17, 2024
Episode 209: IEW is Not Just for Homeschoolers! A Conversation with Sharyn Staggers from Our Schools Division>
Andrew and Julie welcome our Lead Educational Consultant, Sharyn Staggers, to the mic this week. Learn how Sharyn came to know IEW, appreciate her role in aiding teachers and schools, and be inspired by her message about the power of the teacher training. REFERENCED MATERIALS: Sharyn Staggers IEW Schools Division Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Theme-Based Writing Lessons Classroom Supplement and Lesson Plans Berwyn School District Study Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com,... read more
Mar 04, 2020
Spotlight on IEW’s Schools Division: Podcast 387>
The leading area of growth in IEW is the Schools Division. New Educational Consultants have been added to keep up with the growing number of schools that are excited to implement Structure and Style in their classrooms. Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker in this week’s podcast as they converse with Sharyn Staggers, IEW Schools Division Director. Sharyn shares how she became involved with IEW... read more
Aug 23, 2023
Blog Post: Unit 9 Formal Critique: Beyond the Book Report>
Have you ever met someone who remembers fondly doing book reports? Me either. Still, they are one of those tried and true assignments that teachers have given their students for decades. Opinions vary widely about whether they are worthwhile or possibly discourage a love of reading, yet many teachers still regularly assign some type of book report, particularly in the elementary grades. At issue is... read more
Feb 16, 2024
From Imitation to Innovation: Teaching writing can be easier than you think!>
This past Saturday, people from all around the world gathered together virtually to participate in IEW’s online writing conference, From Imitation to Innovation. It was a day filled with inspiring instruction and useful information that brought teachers, parents, tutors, and co-op and hybrid school instructors together. Just in case you weren’t able to attend, the recap below offers an overview, and you can view the... read more
Jul 03, 2020
Training Method Options, Part 2: Group Video Training with DVDs or Streaming>
Not every school has money to spend on live professional development. IEW has a few budget-friendly options to give your teachers the training they need to become great writing teachers! Why not bring Andrew Pudewa to your school on DVD or Streaming Video? Training your teachers using the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style seminar on DVD or Forever Streaming is the most affordable way to provide... read more
Feb 17, 2024
Episode 387: Spotlight on IEW’s Schools Division>
The leading area of growth in IEW is the Schools Division. New Educational Consultants have been added to keep up with the growing number of schools that are excited to implement Structure and Style in their classrooms. Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker in this week’s podcast as they converse with Sharyn Staggers, IEW Schools Division Director. Sharyn shares how she became involved with IEW... read more
Aug 23, 2023
Celebrating International Podcast Day>
If you were to ask a group of people what the word podcast means, most people would describe it as an audio presentation of some kind that’s digitally distributed to listeners. When you type the word podcast into Google, you’ll find a whopping 5,330,000,000 entries. Podcasts are popular! However, it wasn’t that long ago that the word came into common usage. The word podcast is... read more
Sep 30, 2022
Here we go again! The Great TWSS Adventure Returns >
It’s that time again to start thinking about how to make the next school year even better than the last. Did dress-ups cause any dilemmas? Were your student’s topic-clincher sentences less than terrific? Was there too much pressure to be innovative while writing an insightful Introduction? We’ve got you covered! Join Andrew Pudewa and Evan Smith, Educational Consultant and Accreditation Specialist, for another round of... read more
Apr 21, 2023
Catching Up with Janet Spitler: Podcast Episode 129>
# # In our latest podcast, Julie Walker had the opportunity to catch up with Janet Spitler, and that’s no easy feat! Janet is IEW’s Senior Educational Consultant for the Schools Division and is devotedly dedicated to helping teachers and schools become informed and adept at incorporating IEW methodologies in their classrooms. Needless to say, she is quite a busy woman, but she loves equipping teachers to... read more
Feb 28, 2018
Are you straggling or strutting to the starting line?>
Five Ways to Prep for a Great Year of Homeschooling It's August! Are you ready to dive into a new school year? For most of us, August means that we're scrambling to get ready. Here are five ways you can prepare to start the year off peacefully and purposefully: 1) Prepare yourself. It's easy to spend time preparing lesson plans while forgetting to prepare ourselves for the joy... read more
Aug 06, 2014
An Interview with Linda Mikkotis, Schools Division Senior Implementation Coach: Podcast Episode 133>
Many years ago when the seeds for what would become the Institute for Excellence in Writing were first planted, they were sown in a school classroom. IEW has continued to support teachers through its Schools Division, and this week’s podcast, Episode 133, features a conversation between Andrew Pudewa, Julie Walker, and Linda Mikottis, IEW’s Schools Division Senior Implementation Coach. A degreed school teacher who worked in... read more
Apr 04, 2018
Celebrating Fathers Around the World>
by Hannah Averitt Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I recall that Father’s Day always fell on the busiest day of the week for my dad. Every Father’s Day that I can remember has found my mom, siblings, and me listening on the front row while Dad preached a sermon dedicated to the special occasion. Whether or not our family went out to eat or had... read more
Jun 16, 2017
Teaching Students to Think>
If you missed the gifts given for Day 2, you can still access these resources: Podcast Episode 207: Thinking – The Quintessence of the Four Language Arts Podcast Episode 236: The Five Canons of Rhetoric, Part 1 Podcast Episode 237: The Five Canons of Rhetoric, Part 2 On the second day of IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giving, the gifts dug deeply into the less obvious and less measurable... read more
Dec 27, 2022
Fazed by the Primary Phases?>
Primary teachers know all too well that children do not enter school at the same readiness level. Just as a child talks and walks when he is ready, the same is true for reading and writing. Looking at any textbook, basal reader, or set of curriculum standards, one might wonder if the authors understand this basic concept of child development: Children gain necessary skills and... read more
Feb 16, 2024
IEW Tools for the Journey: Schools Department>
As part of IEW’s continued commitment to providing parents and teachers with help for the journey of training students to be confident and competent communicators and thinkers, we are presenting a series of blog posts highlighting tools we offer to that end. Throughout several installments we have looked at the various newsletters and webinars available from IEW, our social media accounts, our blog, our podcast,... read more
Nov 18, 2024
Poetry Festivals and Language Fairs>
April’s theme of “Furnishing the Mind with Poetry” reminds me of my teaching days at Parker Whitney Elementary School in Rocklin, California, and our annual Oral Language Fairs. The events began in our classrooms. Students in grades four, five, and six each chose a poem to memorize and recite. After weeks of preparation and individual classroom recitals to select students to represent their grade level,... read more
Mar 25, 2024
Launching the Foundations of Literacy through Structure and Style in Grades K-2. Part 4: Facilitating Composition through Handwriting Instruction and Copywork>
If you have read Parts 1, 2, and 3 of this series, you are aware of the tremendous influence Anna Ingham’s Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning had in the development of IEW’s Classroom Supplement and Lesson Plans for K–2. In this final segment we’ll focus on handwriting and the role copywork plays in preparing children in primary grades for written composition. Mrs. Ingham considered the ability... read more
Feb 16, 2024
Nurturing Book Lovers in Your Home>
Few things in life bring as much delight for a child as a trip to the library. What’s not to love? Kids, who are natural-born book lovers, are drawn like magnets to the children’s section of a library. From pint-sized furniture to animal prints, pirate ships, and reading nooks with secret passages, a library provides a place of wonder and discovery for young imaginations. My children... read more
Aug 12, 2016
Training Method Options, Part 4A – Live On-Site Professional Development: Launching Young Writers with Primary Writing with Structure and Style Two-Day Seminar>
Primary Writing with Structure and Style was designed specifically with primary teachers in mind. Providing a bridge between Anna Ingham's Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning and the Structure and Style method, this seminar serves as a springboard to literacy in the K–2 classroom. “Finally, someone understands primary writing!” Linda Mikottis, IEW’s Lead Implementation Coach, hears this comment often from teachers when she presents Primary Writing with Structure... read more
Feb 17, 2024
Hate of Learning: One Cause and a Possible Remedy>
by Andrew Pudewa (This article first appeared in the February 2012 issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine®.) When one of my daughters was around twelve years old, we faced a significant problem with her motivation and quality of work. Her school days went pretty much like this: She would get up, do everything on her checklist with as little effort as possible, often being “finished” by 10:00 a.m.,... read more
Feb 17, 2023
Episode 241: The Goodness of Memory, Part 1>
With memory losing its value in the modern age, Andrew and Julie turn their attention to the goodness of the art. Beginning with the origin, Andrew shares the history of memory and how important it was in the ancient world. Join us this week as the duo discusses how memorization furnishes the mind, and be inspired as Andrew explains how memory is the mother of artistic invention. REFERENCED MATERIALS: "The Goodness of... read more
Oct 14, 2020
On the Sixth Day of Christmas, IEW Gave to Me…>
Watch all five sessions of the 2017 Winter Retreat Free Shipping Since it is New Year’s Eve, we thought we’d share an extra special gift—watch all five sessions of IEW’s recent Winter Retreat. Were you unable to attend the live event due to the hustle and bustle of the season? Here’s a second opportunity to sit back, settle in, and enjoy the fun. The sessions include the following: “Struggling... read more
Dec 31, 2017
Primary Arts of Language: Summer Reinforcement Ideas that Don’t Steal Your Sanity>
It’s that time of year again! The days are lengthening. Moms are beginning to see the light at the end of the math book. Kids are squirrely to be done with school. But what’s a mom to do about the dreaded summer “brain drain”? We’ve all heard about it. It’s the reason most math and spelling workbooks spend the first quarter of the new academic... read more
Apr 17, 2017
Cultivating Confident Communicators>
If you missed the gifts given for Day 10, you can still access these resources: Podcast Episode 204: The Four Language Arts Part 2: Speaking Podcast Episode 251: Nurturing Competent Communicators, Part 1 Podcast Episode 252: Nurturing Competent Communicators, Part 2 Confident communication does not come naturally. Whether speaking or writing, an effective communicator requires a database of sophisticated language patterns and the methods by which to convey them.... read more
Jan 04, 2023
From Spelling Bee Flops to Confident Spellers>
I’ll never forget the day that my children begged me to let them participate in the local fair’s spelling bee. My parents were with us enjoying the picnicking, pet show, and parade. I tried to gently remind the kids that spelling “wasn’t really our best subject.” That was the understatement of the year. I knew how it would go, but they continued to insist, and... read more
Sep 23, 2016
Advanced Style, Part 2: Podcast Episode 322>
Last week, Andrew and Julie went beyond the sentence openers and dress-ups to discuss some advanced systlistic techniques. In that vein the duo continues the conversation by discussing paragraph models and author imitation. In an effort to challenge his students stylistically, Dr. Webster had them use a variety of paragraph models. In Episode 322 Andrew and Julie unpack four models of paragraphs: the five senses, the... read more
May 18, 2022
Six Calming Answers to Six Panicky Questions about High School English for Homeschoolers>
by Lee Binz Teaching English in high school can be an anxious endeavor. We can’t think of anyone better to calm nerves than Lee Binz, founder of The Home Scholar. If you enjoy this article, you can also view the recordings of two recent webinars with Lee: “How to Count IEW Courses for High School Credit” and “A Homeschool Parent's Guide to Grades, Credits, and Transcripts.” I get lots of questions... read more
Jun 15, 2015
Sharpen Your Saw with IEW Events and Resources>
“Renewal is the principle – and the process – that empowers us to move on an upward spiral of growth and change, of continuous improvement” (Stephen R. Covey). In this quote, fans of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People may recognize an illustration of Habit #7 – Sharpen the Saw®. For teachers, the summer break is an opportunity to sharpen our saws. Using this time... read more
Apr 17, 2024
Episode 332: While Julie's Away – Talking Accreditation with Evan Smith>
With Julie being away this week, Andrew asked Evan Smith to join him for the podcast. Evan is one of our educational consultants and a member of the accreditation team. By tuning in you'll learn about Evan's experience with IEW, be introduced to the process of becoming an accredited instructor, and gain insight on the benefits of working through the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style teacher-training course. Referenced Materials: Evan Smith Structure... read more
Jul 27, 2022
A Poem for Your Independence Day>
Have you and your students memorized any poetry of late? Perhaps you're working your way through Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization and looking for the perfect poem for your personal selection at the end of a level. This beautiful piece from the 1800s speaks of the first sight that many of our immigrant forebears saw when they arrived in the United States, longing for the... read more
Jun 30, 2016
A Poem for National Arbor Day>
Today is National Arbor Day, a day that recognizes the significance of trees in our world. It is a day to enjoy outside, perhaps by planting a tree. First officially celebrated in Nebraska in 1872, it has gradually spread across the fifty states and throughout the world. J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day, shared his vision when he said, “[H]ow much more enduring... read more
Apr 28, 2017
Scheduling Fun in a Full Day>
“Wait. You work nearly thirty hours a week and you’re in school?!” While attending school full time, I also work for IEW remotely. As a common small talk question, peers often ask me if I have a job. After answering their question, they typically give me the same shocked response. Personally, I think it’s no great feat. Plenty of people have done it before me,... read more
Jul 20, 2018
Oh, the Difference a Day Makes!>
Many teachers and parents feel intimidated about teaching their students to write. But this needn’t be the case. Teaching writing can actually be easier than you think. Join us on Saturday, June 27, to learn how! IEW will be hosting From Imitation to Innovation, a free, online writing conference for teachers, parents, and students. All of us can reflect back in our lives and recognize days... read more
May 28, 2020
Episode 320: Ask Andrew Anything>
With another tenth episode comes another Ask Andrew Anything! This week Andrew responds to questions submitted by our podcast listeners. From inquiries on audiobooks to questions on student engagement, Andrew answers with experience and insight. Referenced Materials: "Nurturing Competent Communicators" audio talk by Andrew Pudewa A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa Leadership Education by Oliver DeMille The One-Life Solution by Dr. Henry Cloud IEW's Schools Division Taming the Techno-Beast by Todd... read more
May 04, 2022
Episode 38: The Five Canons of Rhetoric, Part 1>
Have you heard of the canons of rhetoric? Whether you've never heard the phrase or you could list them all, you'll enjoy hearing Andrew's take on these classic elements of persuasive writing and speaking. Invention, arrangement, elocution, memory, and delivery–learn what they mean and how an understanding of these rhetorical skills can help you in your teaching. Go to Part 2 Referenced Materials: Is IEW Classical? article Paul's Mars... read more
Apr 12, 2016
Episode 39: The Five Canons of Rhetoric, Part 2>
Have you heard of the canons of rhetoric? Whether you've never heard the phrase or you could list them all, you'll enjoy hearing Andrew's take on these classic elements of persuasive writing and speaking. Invention, arrangement, elocution, memory, and delivery–learn what they mean and how an understanding of these rhetorical skills can help you in your teaching. Go to Part 1 Referenced Materials: Despair Inc. Demotivators Meetings Blogging Facebook page for "was... read more
Apr 19, 2016
Episode 236: The Five Canons of Rhetoric, Part 1>
Cannon or canon? While Andrew would probably love to talk about cannonballs, he and Julie turn their attention to the five canons of rhetoric. Enjoy part one of this series as the duo takes on these classic elements of persuasive writing and speaking: invention, arrangement, elocution, memory, and delivery. Go to Part 2 REFERENCED MATERIALS: "The Five Canons of Rhetoric" Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Structure and Style® for Students The National... read more
Sep 10, 2020
Episode 237: The Five Canons of Rhetoric, Part 2>
Finish up the conversation with Andrew and Julie as they talk more deeply about each of the five canons of rhetoric. From how to arrange your ideas to how to deliver them in an appealing manner, Andrew provides suggestions for mastering these elements of rhetoric. REFERENCED MATERIALS: "The Five Canons of Rhetoric" "Convert...to Pens!" by Andrew Pudewa "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King "Nurturing Competent Communicators" "4 Deadly Errors of Teaching... read more
Sep 16, 2020
Is IEW Classical?>
by Andrew Pudewa The following is adapted from the 2015 Homeschool Magalog, read the full article here. With the rapid rise of interest in classical education in homeschools, hybrid schools, and even full-time schools, we at IEW are often asked if our approach to teaching writing with Structure and Style is truly a “classical” one. To some it appears that we lack the proper pedigree, since our syllabus... read more
Apr 15, 2015
Kim Murphy, Hybrid School Teacher>
In recent years, more and more parents have opted for a new educational approach that many believe offers the best of both worlds: hybrid schooling. While hybrid schooling still allows for a hands-on experience with your children’s education, it also adds an aspect of expertise that many parents seek. I recently had the opportunity to talk with Kim Murphy, a hybrid school teacher. In addition to... read more
Jul 28, 2016
Week 8 of The Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 8>
As the days of summer slip swiftly away, so too does the time left for our Great TWSS Adventure. This week most adventurers are exploring Unit 8, leaving only one unit, Unit 9. This past Monday during the Facebook Live event recap of Unit 7 and introduction to Unit 8, Nathan King, project manager for IEW, met with Julie to discuss the units, as Andrew... read more
Aug 28, 2020
Interview with Nancy Helm, Education Specialist>
This summer at the IEM Innovate Conference in Sacramento, I met Nancy Helm, an Education Specialist for twelve years at the South Sutter Charter School. Soon afterwards, I received an extremely gracious email from her, which she titled “Letter of accolades for IEW.” It was so encouraging that we decided to interview her for this article. Nancy’s passion for education and her enthusiasm to assist... read more
Nov 07, 2024
The Littlest Learners>
The back-to-school season is a special one. Students are sharpening their pencils and pulling out their notebooks in preparation for a full year of learning. Amidst the hubbub and the roar—at risk of being lost in so much shuffle—stand out our littlest learners: wide-eyed, new pilgrims in a great big world. Recently CHEA of California published a sweet blog post on homeschooling preschoolers. They have... read more
Aug 16, 2019
The Colloquium Environment>
by Andrew Pudewa (This article first appeared in the September 2012 issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine®.) For the past ten years, I have always held a regularly scheduled colloquium for my teenage children and a small group of their friends. Unlike the terms literature class or book club, colloquium carries no baggage, no connotations, few expectations. It doesn’t imply that I will “teach” or that the students... read more
Feb 17, 2023
Episode 334: Back to School with IEW>
For many, August is a month of anticipation as the start of the school year approaches. In this week's episode, Andrew and Julie address teachers who will be using IEW's method in the classroom. From tips on decorating the classroom to suggestions on equipping yourself, you’ll learn some practical and effective preparations for a successful year of teaching with Structure and Style! Referenced Materials: "Back to School with... read more
Aug 11, 2022
Simplifying Literary Analysis>
Imagine a living room filled with teens excitedly talking over each other and debating the merits of this character or that plot. This scene has occurred monthly at my house for the past seven years as I have facilitated a teen book club for my children and their friends. You can read more about that in this blog post, but I would not have been... read more
Feb 15, 2024
On the fifth day of Christmas, IEW gave to me … >
MP3 recordings of the first five poems from Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization streaming video of Andrew Pudewa teaching you and your students how to memorize the poems PDFs of the Teacher’s Manual and Student Book pages for the poems Nurturing Competent Communicators: a video talk by Andrew Pudewa free shipping a chance to win one of twelve Structure and Style for Students packages Welcome to Day 5 of IEW’s Twelve... read more
Dec 30, 2020
Introducing the Classic Learning Test>
Did you know that a new college entrance exam has been developed? The Classic Learning Test evaluates students’ reading, writing, and math skills while also asking them to analyze selections from classic works. We asked the team at CLT to provide a blog post sharing more about the exam with our readers. by Anne Marie Malone Regional Director, Central Classic Learning Initiatives “Move over, 1600...120 is the new perfect... read more
Jul 28, 2016
Teaching Structure and Style Virtually with Fidelity>
As educators continue to adjust to life COVID-19, the difficult reality is that 5-day-a-week traditional schools that were teaching in person may once again be moving to virtual instruction. I taught for over twenty years in a classroom, so I can imagine how overwhelming this year has been for many teachers. I hope this blog post inspires and helps you in your virtual teaching. I work... read more
Feb 17, 2024
The Writing Skills Gap>
This country is locked in a learning quagmire caused by an educational misalignment, which has resulted in many students entering higher education with a clear deficit in college-ready writing skills. Long-term, the United States must work to resolve this misalignment, but for the foreseeable future, the United States needs to bridge this gap immediately. Reports abound from professors of entry-level courses that students are ill-prepared to... read more
Nov 06, 2024
Week 7 of the Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 7>
Teachers and teaching parents from across the globe who are participating in the Great Adventure will tackle Unit 7 this week. Many teachers are very excited to reach this unit because it is where students synthesize what they have been learning throughout prior units. This is where they begin to write from prompts. Up to this point, students have had source materials, either written text... read more
Jul 27, 2021
Week 5 of The Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 5>
During the Last Facebook Live (June 28) Over the noon hour, Andrew Pudewa and Nathan King continued their discussion about Structure and Style. Beginning with the prior week’s unit, the two addressed questions related to Unit 3 before delving into the current week’s Unit 4: Summarizing a Reference. There were many questions in the comments thread. For example, some questions asked how to distinguish between facts... read more
Jul 12, 2021
Episode 319: Nurturing Success - Serving Schools of Every Kind>
Is IEW for homeschoolers? Or is it for full-time classroom teachers? Does it work well in a hybrid-school model? The short answer is yes! This week, Andrew and Julie unpack how IEW's Structure and Style methodology came to be and discuss how the method of teaching writing is successful in any educational setting. Referenced Materials: Learn to Write and THINK with IEW Blended Structure and Style in Composition by Dr. James... read more
Apr 27, 2022
Announcing IEW’s Winter Retreat 2023: A Virtual Writing Workshop for Classroom Teachers>
Are you a classroom teacher, hybrid school instructor, co-op facilitator, or tutor? Do you teach your students in person or online? We have a special event just for you! On Saturday, February 11, IEW is presenting a special retreat for classroom teachers. It will be a day of refreshment, encouragement, and education, and you can attend from the comfort of your own home at no... read more
Jan 27, 2023
Using Structure and Style across the Curriculum>
“I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I write and I understand.” According to this Chinese proverb, writing about something leads to understanding it. While writing instruction is commonly considered an activity for the English Language Arts (ELA) classroom, the goal is that students will transfer the skills learned in ELA to writing assignments in other classes. Teachers in all disciplines can... read more
Jan 11, 2024
What is a “hybrid” school?>
Most people are familiar with the terms “hybrid cars” or “hybrid plants,” but have you ever heard of a “hybrid school”? This unusual type of school is growing in popularity across the country. If you are a parent, teacher, or administrator, you may come across the term and be curious what it means. Hybrid schools apply what some educators refer to as “blended learning,” where students... read more
Aug 05, 2015
However Imperfectly: Lessons learned from thirty years of teaching>
by Andrew Pudewa It’s hard to say exactly when I began thinking myself a teacher, but I do remember when I set out on my own as an independent violin instructor, preschool owner, tutor, and homeschooling parent. (Sometimes self-employed guys have to wear many hats to make ends meet.) It was about three decades ago. Certainly, it has been an adventure, not without its challenges and... read more
Feb 17, 2023
Adam Bautista's Story>
How IEW built confidence, competence, and an engaging culture in a 4th-grade classroom Mr. Adam Bautista is a 4th-grade teacher who participated in a field study of IEW methodology at Berwyn North School District in Berwyn, Illinois. Distinguishing himself early, he was a recipient of the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Scholarship and the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship. He holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction... read more
Feb 16, 2024
A Christmas Story for the Senses: Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”>
As time seems to speed up the closer we get to the holidays, many educators are preparing special class sessions to celebrate the season with their students. Some plan a class period playing games; others enjoy sharing a special movie. And many bake sweet treats or share small gifts as well. I have my own little tradition I’ve honed over the years. I share a... read more
Dec 15, 2020
On the Fifth Day of Christmas, IEW Gave to Me…>
A PDF of the first four lessons of People and Places in Our Community A PDF of the first four lessons of Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons A PDF of the first four lessons of World History-Based Writing Lessons Streaming of the Structure and Style Overview Free Shipping The fifth day of Christmas is a big one—in the song it’s the day we get five gold rings, after all. We decided... read more
Dec 30, 2017
Podcast - Episode 38: The Five Canons of Rhetoric, Part 1>
Have you heard of the canons of rhetoric? Whether you've never heard the phrase or you could list them all, you'll enjoy hearing Andrew's take on these classic elements of persuasive writing and speaking. Invention, arrangement, elocution, memory, and delivery–learn what they mean and how an understanding of these rhetorical skills can help you in your teaching. Listen Now. Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes Stitcher RSS Remember to send your questions... read more
Apr 13, 2016
Podcast - Episode 39: The Five Canons of Rhetoric, Part 2>
Have you heard of the canons of rhetoric? Whether you've never heard the phrase or you could list them all, you'll enjoy hearing Andrew's take on these classic elements of persuasive writing and speaking. Invention, arrangement, elocution, memory, and delivery–learn what they mean and how an understanding of these rhetorical skills can help you in your teaching. Listen Now. Subscribe to the Podcast: iTunes Stitcher RSS Remember to send your questions... read more
Apr 20, 2016
Formal Essay Models: Podcast Episode 185>
Now that we are approaching the end of the school year, many students are in the midst of Unit 8, Formal Essay Models. In Podcast Episode 185, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker take some time to highlight these formal essay models and offer some tips and tricks to help the writing teacher present this model to her class. Unit 8 is where the two sides of... read more
Apr 24, 2019
Save the date for IEW's 2015 Clearance Sale!>
If you haven’t marked your calendars yet, you'll want to get out that red pen and draw an obvious circle around the Monday after Thanksgiving—also known as Cyber Monday—and the week following (Nov. 30–Dec. 4). This is the week of IEW’s annual Clearance Sale, and all our clearance products will be half off the clearance price! That’s right, my friends, 50 percent off the already discounted... read more
Nov 03, 2015
A Poem in Honor of Mother’s Day>
Sunday, May 13, is Mother’s Day in the United States. To celebrate the date, we found a lovely poem written by Christina Rossetti in 1881. A sonnet, this untitled poem’s structure varies from the Shakespearean sonnet, which follows a rhyme scheme of abab, cdcd, efef, gg. Instead, Rossetti’s poem follows a modified Petrarchan Sonnet, also called the Italian sonnet. The Petrarchan Sonnet traditionally has a... read more
May 11, 2018
On the Tenth Day of Christmas IEW Gave to Me…>
A free download of the talk Nature Deficit Disorder A free download of the Compilation of Articles to Inspire and Enjoy e-book by Andrew Pudewa (versions available for the Schools Division or for homeschoolers) Free shipping* As a classroom teacher, I have found some of the most inspiring information for use in my classroom in books, articles, and talks directed toward parents. For example, Andrew’s talks, Teaching Boys... read more
Jan 04, 2016
Fix It! Grammar: Practice That Leads to Mastery>
Practice, practice, practice. Mastery of any skill takes practice—lots of it. Musicians repeat scales and basketball players run drills. Until the skills have been practiced enough to gain muscle memory to perfect the task at hand, they sound and look awkward. Repetition leads to mastery. Teaching Fix It! Grammar in conjunction with the Structure and Style writing method provides opportunities for students to review, practice,... read more
Mar 06, 2023
Refreshing Routines>
For many teachers and teaching parents, summer is a time to relax. Another school year is in the books. Long lazy days lie before you as you take a deep breath and put away the textbooks and gradebooks. For most it is also a time to plan the next year. New curricula arrive in the mail, and hope springs eternal that this is the year... read more
May 25, 2023
Episode 410: Ask Andrew Anything Live!>
After the fun we had with our 400th episode live question and answer, we invited some of our affiliates to join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker for this live Q & A episode. This week Mandi Malz asked for Andrew’s advice for preparing a student for college. Alicia Brown asked which of Andrew’s articles in However Imperfectly is the most vital lesson in the book and... read more
Jan 31, 2024
Episode 329: Where It All Began – IEW's Founding and Mission>
Over the years, IEW has grown tremendously as its writing method is taught in various educational settings. The company offers an abundance of resources, from encouraging blog posts to effective curriculum. How did IEW get to where it is now? This week, Andrew and Julie go back to where it all began and unpack the story of how Andrew discovered the Structure and Style method of teaching writing. Give this episode a... read more
Jul 06, 2022
Writing Speeches - The Importance of Note-Taking>
Recently, I attended the 2024 NCFCA National Championship. Sitting at the IEW table, I was privy to all of the buzz as students swarmed around me, entering and exiting the student center of Anderson University. Conversations hovered around theology, politics, and the major stands of our day. I enjoyed hearing the cheers for a speech well executed or seeing a high five of support for... read more
Jul 03, 2024
IPS in the Classroom>
A word of warning from Dr. Webster. “A bad idea well presented can be more effective than a good idea poorly presented. History proved this.” Presentation matters, and IEW can help! Introduction to Public Speaking (IPS) is a twelve-week course best suited for middle- and high-school students. It is packed with processes and practices that will help students build confidence and competence in public speaking. In... read more
Jul 27, 2023
Success Starts with the Basics: The Victus Study Skills Program>
Meet Susan Ison—the creator of the Victus Study Skills program. Several years ago, after tutoring students and then teaching on and off in the local schools, Susan formed a tutoring organization in Tennessee, the Memphis Tutorial Association (MTA). Offering tutoring in a variety of subjects, tutors soon noticed a common problem among their students. It was not so much the reading or the math or the... read more
Aug 31, 2020
Arts of Language 2015: Ushering in a New Era of Excellence in Writing>
Over 100,000 copies of IEW’s Magalog (magazine + catalog), Arts of Language, have rolled off the printers and are right now traveling across the United States, populating mailboxes with articles, announcements, and assistance from Andrew and his staff. Here are just some of its features: Announcing the new Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS) video seminar Free audio and video sampler from our newly launched Premium Subscription, now... read more
Feb 12, 2015
Episode 330: Ask Andrew Anything>
Keeping up with tradition, Andrew responds to inquiries submitted by our podcast listeners in another "Ask Andrew Anything." This week, Andrew addresses questions about the checklist, grading, teaching in a classroom, and much more! Whether you're a parent, a co-op tutor, or a full-time school teacher, you'll glean much from Andrew's insightful answers. Also, Andrew reads a sweet letter he received in the mail from an IEW student! Referenced Materials: Structure and... read more
Jul 13, 2022
Episode 394: IEW's Checklist Motivates for Success>
In a recent study, a majority of students selected redoing assignments as their top motivation to work harder in school. Intrigued and inspired by the study’s results, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker engage in a delightful and wide-ranging conversation in this week’s podcast about the ways that the Structure and Style checklist approach provides a concrete method for teachers to motivate students to redo assignments. Referenced... read more
Oct 11, 2023
Week 5 of the Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 5>
This week marks the midpoint for our Great TWSS Adventure. Fellow adventurers, while there ostensibly is a schedule this summer, consider the schedule as you would chapter markers in a novel. It keeps us moving forward together at roughly the same pace, but it’s not required that you stay with the group. If you aren’t where the schedule is currently, please keep this in mind:... read more
Aug 07, 2020
Customer Service Team FAQ of the Month: On the Potency of Poetry>
Have a question? We are ready for you! Our customer service team receives a variety of questions and joyfully assists families by phone, chat, and email. From time to time, we publish the most frequently asked questions along with the answers and hope they may be of use to you. This month we are sharing answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about... read more
Dec 06, 2016
Summer Boot Camps with IEW>
If you are like me, school is out, your kids have been to and returned from camp, and “I don’t know what to do” syndrome has set in. Our county 4-H fair isn’t for another six weeks, so how to fill those long, sunny hours? Don’t get me wrong. I am all for a lazy, bored summer. We live in Michigan, and summer is what... read more
Jul 08, 2016
A Wintry Mix of Words>
I’ll be honest. Winter is not something I think of very often. Living in Florida, I typically think of winter as simply a situation those poor, unfortunate “Northerners” face. The closest I really get to the season occurs on those rare days when the highs for the day don’t exceed the sixties and the lows are a relatively comfortable forty to fifty degrees. On days... read more
Jan 29, 2020
IEW Tool #9: Accreditation and CEUs>
Each week we are releasing a descriptive post for one of the Top 10 IEW Tools, resources that we’ve put together to help you in your teaching. Be sure to subscribe to our blog to keep posted on these articles. We have a lot to offer, and we don’t want you to miss out! You may have heard that IEW offers an accreditation program for tutors and teachers, but... read more
Nov 14, 2015
My IEW Journey: Becoming a Successful IEW Classroom Writing Teacher>
As a child, I wanted to become a second-grade teacher. In college, though, my parents pushed me to study business instead. Poor grades followed, and a degree change became imperative. I switched paths and earned a master’s degree in Special Education: Deaf Education. I then began my twenty-plus year teaching career, none of which ironically has been spent as a second-grade classroom teacher. A few years... read more
Feb 16, 2024
Episode 276: Learn about IEW’s Hybrid Schools Division>
Over recent years, more and more parents are enrolling their students in a hybrid school. Because of this, Andrew and Julie welcome hybrid schools manager Laura House. Tune in to hear how the dynamic of hybrid programs might flow, and learn how Laura and her team assess the needs of different schools. REFERENCED MATERIALS: "Learn about IEW’s Hybrid Schools Division" Laura House Debbi Hall Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Structure and Style Overview DVD Structure... read more
Jun 29, 2021
Ask Andrew Anything: Podcast Episode 230>
This week on the Arts of Language Podcast marks the release of Episode 230. Every tenth episode features an “Ask Andrew Anything,” where listeners send in all different kinds of queries. Listen to the episode to hear Andrew’s answers to these questions: What color is the blue of the walls in the new SSS videos? Does the TWSS help with any other writing curriculum or just yours? What... read more
Jul 29, 2020
