Search for: The Profound Effects of Music on Life
The Profound Power of Poetry: Podcast Episode 299
Can you recall the missing words to this nursery rhyme? If you aren’t certain, you can check the image. Humpty Dumpty sat on a ______, Humpty Dumpty had a great ______; All the King’s horses, and... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Music Matters
We have explored several ways to engage with students over the summer, but there is yet one final element to consider: music. Music benefits the mind as well as the body. Reflecting on... read more
Dancing to the Imperfect Beat of Life
I’ve sometimes wondered if I should begin a Perfectionists Anonymous group. It isn’t uncommon for me to put off projects because I don’t have the time to do them perfectly, whether the project... read more
Passing the Baton: Living a Life of Mentorship
Who are the mentors in your life? Hopefully all of us have experienced the blessing of having a mentor to help guide us on our paths. These are the precious people who carve... read more
A Head Full of Hats: Life of a Homeschool Mom
Like Dr. Seuss’ beloved Bartholomew Cubbins, parents wear many hats. Unlike Bartholomew, who couldn’t seem to take off all his hats, we are able, at times, to lay aside a hat or two.... read more
Life Lessons Learned through Spelling
by Ryan Weins Recently I had the privilege of completing a level of IEW’s spelling program, The Phonetic Zoo. Throughout my study, I found it enjoyable to finally experience how our approach to teaching... read more
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... read more
How IEW Changed My Life...No, Really
Each day throughout the week I am privileged to interact and correspond with parents and students who are either just starting their IEW journey or continuing through it in the hope that their... read more
Educate. Encourage. Inspire: Impact your students for life!
Now that school is back in session, we wanted to share some suggestions that will help you inspire your students throughout the year and into the future. The word inspire comes from two... read more
Becoming a Book Eater: On the Value of Annotation
One of my most favorite high school classes to teach is literary analysis. Partly the reason is because I hold an English degree and focused most of my own studies in literary analysis.... read more
Spotlight on the Sonnet
“Sonnet is about movement in a form” (Seamus Heaney). What is a sonnet? It is a short poem whose structure opens the way for debate or subtle argument. The typical sonnet is a... read more
Grammar on the Go
If you missed the gifts given for Day 12, you can still access the digital 2023 edition of the Magnum Opus Magazine. On the twelfth and final day of IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas... read more
On the Value of Internships: Words of Wisdom from Andrew Collier, an IEW Intern
For college students one of the most significant components of their education is working through an internship. This past summer Andrew Collier, a student from Oral Roberts University, interned at the Institute for... read more
Writing, a Model That Imitates Life: Teacher Testimonial from Johannah Mackin
We recently received this powerful testimonial from Johanna Mackin, a middle school teacher in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Hoping that it will inspire other teachers, we are pleased to be able to share it with... read more
Point-less: On the Value of a Mastery Approach to Writing Instruction
Some instructors teaching with Structure and Style for Students have noticed something that appears to be missing from the checklists: the point values. While we do offer checklists with points as an optional... read more
Three Things My Parents Pushed in High School That Changed My Life
by Woody Robertson Nearing the end of my high school years, I was struck with the reality that I had too many interests and very little understanding of where I should focus. My relatives... read more
Shining the Spotlight on National Learning Disabilities Month: Thoughts on Dyslexia
This week as we continue to feature classic blog posts and articles on the subject of learning disabilities, we would like to highlight an article written by Andrew Pudewa, which first appeared in... read more
From the Forums: On IEW and the Essay
Our online forums are a welcoming space where you can ask questions, share support, and feel encouraged. A community of people who share a common goal—teaching writing—the forums are supported by not only... read more
The Value of the KWO
A few years ago, my brother was working on his master’s degree and asked me to review his papers before he submitted them. As I read, I noticed a troubling pattern: his papers... read more
The Power of the Checklist
Many would agree that checklists are helpful tools. Few if any passengers would want to board a plane where the pilot just trusted without first checking that the plane was truly flightworthy. A... read more
Thoughts on Dyslexia
Recently we held a webinar that focused on dyslexia, the most common learning disability in the United States. During the presentation Andrew Pudewa shared some basic information on what dyslexia actually is (hint,... read more
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... read more
On This Day
On October 25, 1854, history was made in a tucked away corner of eastern Europe called Crimea. In that area during that time, the Crimean War, the first conflict covered by modern reporting... read more
The Value of Internships
Note: This past summer our Oklahoma office had the pleasure of hosting three college interns who traveled from all over the country to join our team. One of them, Jacob Mauser, reflected on... read more
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... read more
The Power of Partnerships
Have you ever had to do something you thought would make you look silly or at minimum receive some odd glances? I sure have! For example, our eldest daughter had a biology experiment... read more
The Power of Poetry
For the past twenty-five years, National Poetry Month has been commemorated in April, celebrating poems and the poets who pen them. Tightly constructed, with every syllable and every word deliberately placed, poems evoke... read more
The Gift of Teaching
“In addition to using the right teaching method and having patience while children mature, we must also have the right attitude in coaching our students.” – Andrew Pudewa As the Christmas season settles itself... read more
On Marking and Grading
Parents and teachers who use IEW’s approach to teaching writing love it. Structure and Style®️ provides the direction and framework, making the job of teaching writing concrete and enjoyable for instructor and student... read more
Encouraging Creativity: Out of the Mouths of Babes
Our IEW forum is a robust community of parents, teachers, co-op facilitators, and hybrid school instructors all coming together to support one another in implementing IEW. Every once in a while, a forum... read more
The Story Behind One of the Greatest Story Series of All Time
There are certain works of literature that cross cultural divides and stand the test of time. Nearly everyone has heard of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Little House on the Prairie... read more
Furnishing the Mind: The Power of the Written Word
“The pen is mightier than the sword.” Akhiar, a 7th century BCE Assyrian sage, first used this popular idea. Author Edward Bulwer-Lytton coined the specific wording of the quote commonly used today in... read more
The Story of a Story
My connection with the Lee family began with a phone call. One of IEW’s customer service agents spoke with a woman about her daughters who were interested in becoming accredited IEW instructors—at the... read more
Savoring the Sweetness of Summer
Doldrums. The word describes a feeling of lassitude or torpor and was derived from an area called the doldrums, located around the equator. Having very little air movement, sailing vessels can sometimes become... read more
The Power of the Method Is in the Structure
When asked what they most remember about IEW classes, students respond with the stylistic techniques. They recount their early struggles to fit all the required style into each paragraph. They smile as... read more
For the Love of Games
I want to share with you my love of games! It is a long lasting love that has been with me since my childhood. Withstanding years of foul play and unmet expectations, my... read more
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... read more
The Habit of Making Decisions
IEW’s approach to writing instruction trains students to ask questions, and it creates decision-makers. As they work through the structural models, students grow in their competence and their confidence in making decisions. Let’s... read more
The LEGOs® of Language
This week, for your enjoyment, we are revisiting a classic post from our archives. We hope you enjoy Andrew's thoughts on the LEGOs® of Language! Most all children—especially boys—love to play with building toys,... read more
Shining the Spotlight on National Learning Disabilities Month: Help for Dysgraphia
The month of October is reserved as a special time to recognize and raise awareness for the approximately one in five students across America who have learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and... read more
Imitation: the Greatest Form of Learning
It was an average weekday morning. I was preparing to leave for work, when my niece of just under two years old came scampering into my room full of her morning energy. She... read more
Four Roadblocks of the Reluctant Writer
As teachers, our hearts go out to the reluctant writer—the student who thinks putting pen to paper is painful and who Andrew Pudewa describes in the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style seminar as... read more
Education and the Future of Freedom
I like small books. They make me think the author has said what he wanted to say, concisely and without padding. The Coming Aristocracy by Oliver DeMille is such a book—short and to... read more
The Poetical Prowess of Andrew Pudewa
Did you know that IEW has its own YouTube channel? We do! And in honor of National Poetry month, we want to highlight a few videos of our very own Andrew Pudewa reciting... read more
Getting to the Root of It
The English language is a challenging one to learn. This difficulty primarily stems from the fact that English is a melting pot of words that come from other languages. While there are influences... read more
The Benefits of Entering Writing Contests
I started IEW when my twins were in fifth grade. I bought my Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS) in the spring. Truth be told, I was a little intimidated to begin, so... read more
Identifying the Function of Past Participles
A recent blog post discussed the different functions that a participle ending in -ing can have. More confusion may arise when a participle ends in -ed. A past participle is formed by adding... read more
The Art of Teaching a Skill
Or, The Skill of Teaching an Art In Monday's webinar, What are we really doing here? (Aug. 3, 2015) Andrew Pudewa discussed the differences between learning information, ideas, and skills. Since writing is a skill,... read more
Memorization: Strengthening the Heart and Spirit of the Child
Recently, I was trying to enroll my daughter in an online history class when the dreaded “time to change your password” warning popped up. This particular institution requires me to change my password... read more
Celebrating End of the Year Progress
The last day of school is almost here! Students’ minds are already thinking weeks ahead about camps, road trips, swimming, and all the other activities that get packed into their short break from... read more
Make the Arts of Language Podcast a Part of Your Day
Here we are, ready to record another podcast. Yes, IEW has decided to launch into the podcasting world to better support teachers parents hybrid school teachers tutors anyone using IEW materials worldwide ... read more
What? or That! Reflections on Reports
Do your students groan when you assign a report? Or do they get excited to research a topic they’re interested in? Most students would probably fall in the groaning camp, but is there... read more
Reflections on Growing Up with IEW
Working in IEW’s customer service department, I receive many calls from customers, especially new customers who are concerned that IEW seems too simple. They worry the expectations are not high enough. Often the... read more
Giving Thanks: The Highest Form of Thought
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” When I came across this quote by G.K. Chesterton, the connection to IEW’s theme... read more
The Science of Persuasion: Podcast Episode 175
Loosely defined, rhetoric is the art of persuasion. In Podcast 175, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk about what persuasion is, what it isn’t, and how people can learn to harness the science... read more
The Core of Literacy: Podcast Episode 136
Andrew Pudewa was back in Oklahoma last week, and he and Julie Walker met to discuss one of this month’s themes: poetry. By including poetry in a child’s developing years, you are providing... read more
The Goodness of Memory: Podcast Episode 241
“Memory is the cabinet of the imagination, the treasury of reason, the registry of conscience, and the council-chamber of thought.” These words, attributed to the poet Giambattista Basile, still ring true centuries later.... read more
The Brain Benefits of a Great Book
Some of my earliest memories center around literature. As a young child, I recall many happy hours spent sitting next to my grandma in her formal parlor, listening to her read short stories,... read more
Continuing the Tradition: Twelve Days of Giving
Traditions bring joy and fond memories. They may be the same ornaments placed carefully on the tree each year or the beloved Christmas stories you read. Do you have recipes that you prepare... read more
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... read more
The Goodness of Memory: Podcast Episode 349
In the modern world, the education system places little emphasis on rote learning and memorization. As Andrew points out in this episode, though, our memory is what allows us to act, talk, and... read more
The Grammar of Everyday Phrases: Part 1
Any time or anytime? Every day or everyday? A while or awhile? There are so many of these types of homophones. They’re easy enough to use in speech, but have you ever wondered... read more
The Grammar of Everyday Phrases: Part 2
Although speaking English comes naturally to most native speakers, writing it can sometimes feel fraught with potential pitfalls. If you have ever paused after writing a word or a phrase and wondered if... read more
On Popcorn, Pudewa and Video Writing Instruction
You may have already heard some of the buzz from IEW® about an upcoming important announcement. It’s exciting news that we are looking forward to sharing with you all. While the clock has... read more
The Journey’s End: Reflections of a Homeschool Mom
This year has been quite a remarkable one for our family. In the midst of the chaos of COVID-19, we have graduated two students: one from high school and the other from college.... read more
Accreditation Progress: What’s on Your Bingo Card?
It started with a question. Every year our daughter Grace poses the question “What is on your bingo card this year?” Instead of New Year’s resolutions, she encourages goals, fun experiences, and opportunities... read more
Catching Up on Conventions: Podcast Episode 316
For years Andrew Pudewa has traveled the globe, delivering presentations at homeschool conventions. While these conventions might have “homeschool” in the name, they are insightful events for any educator, whether a homeschool parent... read more
Grammar and Thinking in the Age of AI
Of the skills that produce a well-written essay, IEW’s top two, structure and style, are certainly key linchpins. Equally important, however, is the often misunderstood art of grammar. If you express a worthy thought... read more
The Different Stages of Learning: Podcast Episode 272
It is only natural that parents play the comparison game. A mom of a tween might worry about her twelve-year-old student and whether or not she is “on track” compared to her peers.... read more
The Deadly Error of Overcorrecting: Podcast Episode 211
Considered a must-read article for good reason, Andrew Pudewa’s “The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing” takes center stage in the first of a four-part conversation between Andrew and Julie Walker in podcast... read more
Reprise of “The Mighty Pen”: Podcast Episode 269
In lieu of launching a new podcast this week, we offer a reprise of Episode 269, The Mighty Pen: Teaching Students to Change the World through Language. For listeners who may already use... read more
The Power of Asking Questions to Unlock Ideas
One of the most powerful tools in any writer’s toolbox is not a fancy stylistic technique or a complex sentence structure—it is the simple act of asking questions. At IEW we see this... read more
Customer Service Team FAQ of the Month: Spelling!
Have a question? We are ready for you! Our customer service team joyfully assists families by phone, chat, and email and receives a variety of questions. From time to time, we publish the... read more
The Benefits of Teaching Cursive: Podcast Episode 188
Common Core standards do not have a provision that mandates the teaching of cursive in schools. Instead they emphasize the primacy of developing computer skills, including keyboarding. This is unfortunate, and in fact... read more
A Poem to Mark the End of April
We are about to move out of April, which also marks the end of National Poetry Month. But before we do, we would like to share with you one of our favorite poems.... read more
The Benefits of Mastery Education: Podcast Episode 264
Mastery learning is all the rage right now. You may wonder whether the Structure and Style approach follows a mastery-based approach. If so, wonder no longer. Podcast Episode 264 will settle the question. Andrew... read more
Where will you be on July 22, 2023?
Summers are not only a time to enjoy a break from the busy schedule of the school year but a time to rest, rejuvenate, and reflect on the past year. For many educators,... read more
Week 9 of The Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 9
This week marks the penultimate week for this year’s Great TWSS Adventure. If you have kept up with the schedule, you will be encountering the final unit, Unit 9. In this section of... read more
The Edifying Flame of Candlelight: A Unit 4 Opportunity
Have you ever tuned in to hear Andrew Pudewa speak at a Classical Consortium event? If so, you've probably also enjoyed hearing Professor Carol. Each year she offers a free online Advent calendar.... read more
The Deadly Error of Withholding Help: Podcast Episode 212
In the second episode of a 4-part podcast series highlighting Andrew’s article, “The 4 Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing,” Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss how withholding help negatively impacts a student’s progress.... read more
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... read more
The Power of Imitation: Crafting a Key Word Outline
Imitation. It’s one of the earliest and most impactful ways that humans learn. A very young baby learns to smile at her parents by watching them smiling back at her. Later, as an... read more
Moving on to Unit 3: Podcast Episode 158
Now that the first weeks of school are complete, many students are beginning to move into Unit 3, Retelling Narrative Stories. After Units 1 and 2 where students created key word outlines from... read more
Customer Service FAQ of the Month: Returns and Exchanges
At IEW we want you to be completely satisfied with the products you select. After all, you are using them in your families and your co-ops with the children who mean the world... read more
Week 8 of The Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 8
If you are participating in this year’s Great TWSS Adventure, this week you will be encountering formal essay models. The essay is the goal for formal writing. Units 4 and 6 have provided... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: #DadisReading
While the month of June marks Father’s Day, we should really celebrate fathers every day of the year. After all, they do so much for their families. One important action that many dads... read more
The Deadly Error of Over-Expectation: Podcast Episode 216
This week’s podcast, Episode 216, concludes the series focusing on the four deadly errors of teaching writing. In the earlier episodes Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discussed the first three errors: overcorrecting, withholding... read more
IEW Tools for the Journey: Arts of Language Podcast
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... read more
Grateful Hearts and the Twelve Days of Christmas Giving
‘Tis the season. It’s a time of the year when we are especially mindful of the blessings in our lives and seek to share gifts with others to show how much they mean... read more
Week 4 of The Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 4
Last Week This past Monday, Andrew Pudewa and Nathan King sat down together once again, this time to discuss Unit 3: Retelling Narrative Stories. This unit marks a significant shift from the first two... read more
The Goodness of Memory, Part 2: Podcast Episode 242
In podcast Episode 242, Andrew and Julie continue their fascinating conversation about memory. One question they ponder is Where does memory reside? Shockingly, it may not be solely stored in the brain. Andrew... read more
Considering the Possibilities of Unit 3: Podcast Episode 246
Andrew and Julie invited Nathan King to join them in the recording studio for podcast Episode 246. Nathan, a Project Manager for IEW, also enjoys writing fiction. Because November is National Novel Writing... read more
Week 6 of the Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 6
Last Week When Andrew Pudewa and Nathan King reconvened for last week’s Facebook Live event, they began by discussing some of the differences between Unit 3 and Unit 5. Andrew explained that Unit 5... read more
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... read more
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... read more
Poetry in the House: Celebrating Some of Our Own
April is National Poetry Month, and we couldn’t think of a better time of the year to celebrate it! All around us springs up new growth, and it seems a perfect time to... read more
Hot Off the Press! Timeline of Classics (Second Edition)
Taking my kids to the library was one of my very favorite things to do as a homeschool mom. Our library bag was way too heavy as we lugged it to the van,... read more
A Sonnet in Honor of the Student Resource Packet
Our Student Resource Packet is a pretty nifty item. Broken down by the nine IEW units and including sections dedicated to writing about literature, dress-ups and word lists, sentence openers and transitions, decorations,... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Cultivating Collections
Are you a collector? Are your children? While some of us embrace the more minimalist side of life, there are plenty of people out there who delight in growing their collections. There’s virtually... read more
Considering Aristotle and the Art of Rhetoric: Podcast Episode 124
For Episode 123 Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker waded a little deeper into the topic of advanced thinking skills. Now in Episode 124 they continue the conversation and go even deeper, exploring Aristotle... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Exploring Entrepreneurship
Over the past few weeks, we have been sharing some great summer activities to explore with your family. So far we’ve featured blog posts on developing clubs, connecting with friends through books, celebrating... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Growing Gardens
“Sometimes since I've been in the garden I've looked up through the trees at the sky and I have had a strange feeling of being happy as if something was pushing and drawing... read more
Teacher Training Method Options: Live On-Site Professional Development
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... read more
Help for Dysgraphia – Hands off Content; Hands on Style
Teaching children who have learning challenges can be particularly challenging. How do you make sure that your requirements and expectations don’t exceed—or underestimate—student abilities? One homeschooling mother of a teenage son with dysgraphia... read more
Demystifying Verbals: Gaining Clarity on Infinitives, Participles, and Gerunds
One of the elements in the stylistic techniques list is the strong verb. A strong verb is a verb that works in place of a more mundane alternative. The strong verb provides a... read more
On IEW and Autism and Success: Podcast Episode 186
“It’s teaching them to think out what they want to say really methodically. That’s so good for autistic kids!” Marie Greenhalgh Teaching writing to students is challenging, but when our students have other struggles,... read more
How to Give Yourself the Gift of Time this Christmas
Enjoy this guest blog post written by Pamela Barnhill of Your Morning Basket. I can be somewhat of a Christmas Grinch. A few years ago when my children were 7, 5, and 3, my husband... read more
Week 2 of the Great TWSS Adventure: Introducing Stylistic Techniques
Last Week On Monday of last week, Andrew Pudewa and Nathan King kicked off the 2021 event. Describing why Units 1 and 2 are so important, Andrew emphasized that in order for our... read more
Sound City, the Heart of Anna Ingham’s Language Arts Program
When teachers use our materials for Kindergarten through Grade 2, they are directed to use the poetry discussion time to reinforce phonics for reading and spelling. Regularly we hear from teachers using their... read more
Motivation and the Four Forms of Relevancy: Podcast Episode 358
Are there factors that make learning easier? As Andrew notes, “If something is relevant to you, if it is significant, meaningful, useful, interesting, and helpful to you, then it is easy to study... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Considering Clubs
While the official start of summer is still a few weeks away, Memorial Day unofficially ushers in the highly anticipated season. Over the next few weeks, we are going to share some ideas... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Nature Walks
When was the last time you went outside for a walk and really slowed down to notice the nature around you? How about your children? When have they? If your answer is, “I... read more
Announcing the 2022 Arts of Language Magalog: Podcast Episode 313
IEW’s Arts of Language Magalog is a portmanteau: a word that blends the sounds and meaning of other words. In this case it’s a combination of the words magazine and catalog. In IEW’s... read more
Author Interview: Laura Bettis—Inspired by the Tales of Narnia
Aslan, Reepicheep, Mr. Tumnus, High King Peter, King Edmund, Queens Lucy and Susan, and the White Witch. If you don’t yet know these characters, you’ll be in for a huge treat as you... read more
Interview with Teresa Hudson, President of the NCFCA: Podcast Episode 69
Join Andrew and Julie as they interview Teresa Hudson, the President of the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA). Learn how speech and debate enhance students’ communication skills as well as foster... read more
Celebrating Poetry through Recitation: A Contest during the Month of April
Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? To celebrate, IEW is hosting a fun contest through our social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. To enter, post a video or a... read more
Spelling and the Brain: A Method of Instruction that Makes Sense
Do you have a student in your life who struggles with spelling? The odds are likely as spelling in our country has gotten progressively worse over the past fifty years. I certainly found... read more
On Receiving Accommodations for ACT and SAT—A Personal Story
As a homeschooling parent with a special needs student, I was nervous for high school to begin. I wanted my daughter to be able to go to college if she wanted, and I... read more
Recovering the Art of Effective Communication - Kim Cromer, NCFCA Executive Director
by Kim Cromer Statista, an online statistics portal for more than 22,500 sources, estimates that in 2018 there are 237.6 million smartphones, 207 million Facebook users, and 67 million active Twitter accounts in the... read more
On Teaching and Evaluating Writing, Part 2: Podcast Episode 234
Last week Andrew and Julie began a conversation about how to teach writing. In this week’s podcast, Episode 234, they continue their discussion, this time centering more on how to appropriately evaluate writing.... read more
Jill’s Gems: The Art of Invention: Breaking It Down into Meaningful Steps
Enjoy Jill Pike's concrete response to a parent’s recent request for help regarding the art of invention. Inventive writing is difficult because it begins with a blank page—what to write? This is why IEW... read more
Week 1 of the Great TWSS Adventure: Units 1 and 2
This week launches a grand adventure. The travelers are from all around the world, but they are united in a single purpose: to journey together through Teaching Writing: Structure and Style. For this first... read more
On Teaching and Evaluating Writing, Part 1: Podcast Episode 233
This year it seems as if there are more and more children who will be learning from home. With all of these new at-home learners, there are more and more at-home teachers. Parents... read more
How to Make Reading Aloud the Best Part of Your Day
Enjoy this guest post by Sarah Mackenzie, author and creator of the popular blog, Read-Aloud Revival. When you’re done, check out Sarah’s newest book, The Read-Aloud Family, available from IEW later this spring.... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Building Book Clubs
“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.” This quote, often miscredited to Oscar Wilde but actually stated by the... read more
A Parent’s Perspective: The Value of Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
Recently in IEW’s official Facebook Group, mom Marcela B. wrote a post in which she explained how valuable she found the teacher training she received in Teaching Writing: Structure and Style to be.... read more
Changing Someone’s Mind – the Power of Persuasive Writing: Podcast Episode 307
What is an essay? How is it distinguished from a report? Why is it important to teach our students how to write persuasively? And how do we help our students transition from writing... read more
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... read more
After the Seminar: Purposeful Practice Delivers Powerful Payback for Teachers—and Students! The Value of the Practicum Exercises in the Structure and Style Seminar.
Summertime is not always a vacation from learning for teachers. While their students are enjoying a break from school, many teachers take classes and workshops to improve their skills or work toward an... read more
The Making of Fix It!: IEW Author and Grammar Guru Pamela White
Pamela White is IEW’s “grammar guru.” Author of the popular Fix It! Grammar series and IEW’s online department head for Level C classes, Pamela recently sat down with us to talk about how she... read more
Reviewing Our Greatest Hits: The Four Forms of Relevancy: Inspired Relevancy Part 2
This week we continue the theme of relevancy by revisiting the second part of the 3-part podcast series on relevancy. The topic of this week’s classic is inspired relevancy. Listen again—or for your... read more
Announcing IEW’s Theme-Based Book of the Year: Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
We are excited to share with you that we have declared Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons to be IEW’s theme-based book of the year. What does this mean for you? Every month Andrew Pudewa... read more
Reviewing Our Greatest Hits: The Four Forms of Relevancy: Intrinsic Relevancy Part 1
We are excited to invite you to the first Reviewing Our Greatest Hits podcast episode. In this first of a 3-episode series, Andrew introduces the highest form of relevancy, intrinsic relevancy. Enjoy listening... read more
Interview with Susan Ison, Director of the Victus Study Skills System: Podcast Episode 91
Join Andrew and Julie as they interview Susan Ison, the president of the Victus Study Skills System. Using both her experience and knowledge, Susan explains the process of her system, the value of... read more
Reminiscences of Father Blessings
Fathers play a critically important role in the raising of the children—a role that is all too often undervalued or made to appear farcical in popular culture. In actuality, though, fathers provide modeling... read more
Confessions of an Audiophile
When I graduated from college, I figured I had a pretty good idea of what reading was all about. After all, I had read volume upon volume of essays, poetry, novels, and plays... read more
Teacher Training Method Options: Live On-Site Professional Development: Demonstration and Coaching Day
As a classroom teacher, I participated in scores of staff development days, where my colleagues and I were trained in new instructional strategies or introduced to the latest textbook series to be adopted... read more
A World of Difference
I love spring! It evokes so many memories for me. The trickle of the snow melting off the roof, the poke of a tiny green crocus shoot, and the excitement of the homeschool... read more
Learning about the Third Edition of Bible-Based Writing Lessons: Podcast Episode 196✝
Once upon a time, there was only one IEW product—Teaching Writing: Structure and Style. It empowered, and continues to empower, teachers and parents to take the methodology back into their classrooms and homes... read more
A Buffet of Options
"Which should I choose?" is a common question from parents and teachers exploring IEW's two main options for teaching the Structure and Style® methodology. While some create their own lessons, most prefer ready-made... read more
A Slip of Spring
Spring is never late in her arrival by date, although some of us may be embracing her warmth a little more quickly thanks to our favorable geographical location. Regardless of whether you are... read more
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, we... read more
Training Method Options, Part 6: Live On-Site Professional Development — Observation and Coaching Day
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Reviewing Our Greatest Hits: The Four Forms of Relevancy: Contrived and Enforced Relevancy, Part 3
The discussion about relevancy continues with the third installment of this classic IEW podcast series. During the podcast, Andrew and Julie discuss the final two forms of relevancy: contrived and enforced relevancy. You... read more
Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
Gratitude matters. “I do believe the happiest people that I meet are the ones who have that habit, that attitude of gratitude." – Andrew Pudewa With the possible exception of Thanksgiving Day, our culture is... read more
Three Signs of Student Engagement
When IEW’s educational consultants talk with teachers who use our method, we always look forward to asking the question, “What surprises you the most?” Regularly the answer has something to do with how... read more
A New Box of Crayons
As an adult, I still associate going back to school with a particular scent—the aroma of a freshly opened box of sixty-four crayons. And at the end of the summer, when I’m shopping... read more
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... read more
Building a Fortress of Encouragement
"Sometimes we feel like if we can't do it perfectly, we won't have success. The truth is, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing imperfectly. So go ahead and just do your best."... read more
A Beloved Poem of Winter
The arrival of 2019 heralds more than the promise of a new beginning. It also harkens back to nearly one hundred years ago in that works published in 1923 have finally entered the... read more
The Profound Power of Poetry: Podcast Episode 299
Can you recall the missing words to this nursery rhyme? If you aren’t certain, you can check the image. Humpty Dumpty sat... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Music Matters
We have explored several ways to engage with students over the summer, but there is yet one final element to consider:... read more
Dancing to the Imperfect Beat of Life
I’ve sometimes wondered if I should begin a Perfectionists Anonymous group. It isn’t uncommon for me to put off projects because... read more
Passing the Baton: Living a Life of Mentorship
Who are the mentors in your life? Hopefully all of us have experienced the blessing of having a mentor to help... read more
A Head Full of Hats: Life of a Homeschool Mom
Like Dr. Seuss’ beloved Bartholomew Cubbins, parents wear many hats. Unlike Bartholomew, who couldn’t seem to take off all his hats,... read more
Life Lessons Learned through Spelling
by Ryan Weins Recently I had the privilege of completing a level of IEW’s spelling program, The Phonetic Zoo. Throughout my study,... read more
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... read more
How IEW Changed My Life...No, Really
Each day throughout the week I am privileged to interact and correspond with parents and students who are either just starting... read more
Educate. Encourage. Inspire: Impact your students for life!
Now that school is back in session, we wanted to share some suggestions that will help you inspire your students throughout... read more
Becoming a Book Eater: On the Value of Annotation
One of my most favorite high school classes to teach is literary analysis. Partly the reason is because I hold an... read more
Spotlight on the Sonnet
“Sonnet is about movement in a form” (Seamus Heaney). What is a sonnet? It is a short poem whose structure opens... read more
Grammar on the Go
If you missed the gifts given for Day 12, you can still access the digital 2023 edition of the Magnum Opus... read more
On the Value of Internships: Words of Wisdom from Andrew Collier, an IEW Intern
For college students one of the most significant components of their education is working through an internship. This past summer Andrew... read more
Writing, a Model That Imitates Life: Teacher Testimonial from Johannah Mackin
We recently received this powerful testimonial from Johanna Mackin, a middle school teacher in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Hoping that it will inspire... read more
Point-less: On the Value of a Mastery Approach to Writing Instruction
Some instructors teaching with Structure and Style for Students have noticed something that appears to be missing from the checklists: the... read more
Three Things My Parents Pushed in High School That Changed My Life
by Woody Robertson Nearing the end of my high school years, I was struck with the reality that I had too many... read more
Shining the Spotlight on National Learning Disabilities Month: Thoughts on Dyslexia
This week as we continue to feature classic blog posts and articles on the subject of learning disabilities, we would like... read more
From the Forums: On IEW and the Essay
Our online forums are a welcoming space where you can ask questions, share support, and feel encouraged. A community of people... read more
The Value of the KWO
A few years ago, my brother was working on his master’s degree and asked me to review his papers before he... read more
The Power of the Checklist
Many would agree that checklists are helpful tools. Few if any passengers would want to board a plane where the pilot... read more
Thoughts on Dyslexia
Recently we held a webinar that focused on dyslexia, the most common learning disability in the United States. During the presentation... read more
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... read more
On This Day
On October 25, 1854, history was made in a tucked away corner of eastern Europe called Crimea. In that area during... read more
The Value of Internships
Note: This past summer our Oklahoma office had the pleasure of hosting three college interns who traveled from all over the... read more
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... read more
The Power of Partnerships
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The Power of Poetry
For the past twenty-five years, National Poetry Month has been commemorated in April, celebrating poems and the poets who pen them.... read more
The Gift of Teaching
“In addition to using the right teaching method and having patience while children mature, we must also have the right attitude... read more
On Marking and Grading
Parents and teachers who use IEW’s approach to teaching writing love it. Structure and Style®️ provides the direction and framework, making... read more
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The Story Behind One of the Greatest Story Series of All Time
There are certain works of literature that cross cultural divides and stand the test of time. Nearly everyone has heard of... read more
Furnishing the Mind: The Power of the Written Word
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The Story of a Story
My connection with the Lee family began with a phone call. One of IEW’s customer service agents spoke with a woman... read more
Savoring the Sweetness of Summer
Doldrums. The word describes a feeling of lassitude or torpor and was derived from an area called the doldrums, located around... read more
The Power of the Method Is in the Structure
When asked what they most remember about IEW classes, students respond with the stylistic techniques. They recount their early struggles... read more
For the Love of Games
I want to share with you my love of games! It is a long lasting love that has been with me... read more
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,... read more
The Habit of Making Decisions
IEW’s approach to writing instruction trains students to ask questions, and it creates decision-makers. As they work through the structural models,... read more
The LEGOs® of Language
This week, for your enjoyment, we are revisiting a classic post from our archives. We hope you enjoy Andrew's thoughts on... read more
Shining the Spotlight on National Learning Disabilities Month: Help for Dysgraphia
The month of October is reserved as a special time to recognize and raise awareness for the approximately one in five... read more
Imitation: the Greatest Form of Learning
It was an average weekday morning. I was preparing to leave for work, when my niece of just under two years... read more
Four Roadblocks of the Reluctant Writer
As teachers, our hearts go out to the reluctant writer—the student who thinks putting pen to paper is painful and who... read more
Education and the Future of Freedom
I like small books. They make me think the author has said what he wanted to say, concisely and without padding.... read more
The Poetical Prowess of Andrew Pudewa
Did you know that IEW has its own YouTube channel? We do! And in honor of National Poetry month, we want... read more
Getting to the Root of It
The English language is a challenging one to learn. This difficulty primarily stems from the fact that English is a melting... read more
The Benefits of Entering Writing Contests
I started IEW when my twins were in fifth grade. I bought my Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS) in the... read more
Identifying the Function of Past Participles
A recent blog post discussed the different functions that a participle ending in -ing can have. More confusion may arise when... read more
The Art of Teaching a Skill
Or, The Skill of Teaching an Art In Monday's webinar, What are we really doing here? (Aug. 3, 2015) Andrew Pudewa discussed the... read more
Memorization: Strengthening the Heart and Spirit of the Child
Recently, I was trying to enroll my daughter in an online history class when the dreaded “time to change your password”... read more
Celebrating End of the Year Progress
The last day of school is almost here! Students’ minds are already thinking weeks ahead about camps, road trips, swimming, and... read more
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Here we are, ready to record another podcast. Yes, IEW has decided to launch into the podcasting world to better support teachers parents hybrid... read more
What? or That! Reflections on Reports
Do your students groan when you assign a report? Or do they get excited to research a topic they’re interested in?... read more
Reflections on Growing Up with IEW
Working in IEW’s customer service department, I receive many calls from customers, especially new customers who are concerned that IEW seems... read more
Giving Thanks: The Highest Form of Thought
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” When I... read more
The Science of Persuasion: Podcast Episode 175
Loosely defined, rhetoric is the art of persuasion. In Podcast 175, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk about what persuasion is,... read more
The Core of Literacy: Podcast Episode 136
Andrew Pudewa was back in Oklahoma last week, and he and Julie Walker met to discuss one of this month’s themes:... read more
The Goodness of Memory: Podcast Episode 241
“Memory is the cabinet of the imagination, the treasury of reason, the registry of conscience, and the council-chamber of thought.” These... read more
The Brain Benefits of a Great Book
Some of my earliest memories center around literature. As a young child, I recall many happy hours spent sitting next to... read more
Continuing the Tradition: Twelve Days of Giving
Traditions bring joy and fond memories. They may be the same ornaments placed carefully on the tree each year or the... read more
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... read more
The Goodness of Memory: Podcast Episode 349
In the modern world, the education system places little emphasis on rote learning and memorization. As Andrew points out in this... read more
The Grammar of Everyday Phrases: Part 1
Any time or anytime? Every day or everyday? A while or awhile? There are so many of these types of homophones.... read more
The Grammar of Everyday Phrases: Part 2
Although speaking English comes naturally to most native speakers, writing it can sometimes feel fraught with potential pitfalls. If you have... read more
On Popcorn, Pudewa and Video Writing Instruction
You may have already heard some of the buzz from IEW® about an upcoming important announcement. It’s exciting news that we... read more
The Journey’s End: Reflections of a Homeschool Mom
This year has been quite a remarkable one for our family. In the midst of the chaos of COVID-19, we have... read more
Accreditation Progress: What’s on Your Bingo Card?
It started with a question. Every year our daughter Grace poses the question “What is on your bingo card this year?”... read more
Catching Up on Conventions: Podcast Episode 316
For years Andrew Pudewa has traveled the globe, delivering presentations at homeschool conventions. While these conventions might have “homeschool” in the... read more
Grammar and Thinking in the Age of AI
Of the skills that produce a well-written essay, IEW’s top two, structure and style, are certainly key linchpins. Equally important, however,... read more
The Different Stages of Learning: Podcast Episode 272
It is only natural that parents play the comparison game. A mom of a tween might worry about her twelve-year-old student... read more
The Deadly Error of Overcorrecting: Podcast Episode 211
Considered a must-read article for good reason, Andrew Pudewa’s “The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing” takes center stage in the... read more
Reprise of “The Mighty Pen”: Podcast Episode 269
In lieu of launching a new podcast this week, we offer a reprise of Episode 269, The Mighty Pen: Teaching Students... read more
The Power of Asking Questions to Unlock Ideas
One of the most powerful tools in any writer’s toolbox is not a fancy stylistic technique or a complex sentence structure—it... read more
Customer Service Team FAQ of the Month: Spelling!
Have a question? We are ready for you! Our customer service team joyfully assists families by phone, chat, and email and... read more
The Benefits of Teaching Cursive: Podcast Episode 188
Common Core standards do not have a provision that mandates the teaching of cursive in schools. Instead they emphasize the primacy... read more
A Poem to Mark the End of April
We are about to move out of April, which also marks the end of National Poetry Month. But before we do,... read more
The Benefits of Mastery Education: Podcast Episode 264
Mastery learning is all the rage right now. You may wonder whether the Structure and Style approach follows a mastery-based approach.... read more
Where will you be on July 22, 2023?
Summers are not only a time to enjoy a break from the busy schedule of the school year but a time... read more
Week 9 of The Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 9
This week marks the penultimate week for this year’s Great TWSS Adventure. If you have kept up with the schedule, you... read more
The Edifying Flame of Candlelight: A Unit 4 Opportunity
Have you ever tuned in to hear Andrew Pudewa speak at a Classical Consortium event? If so, you've probably also enjoyed... read more
The Deadly Error of Withholding Help: Podcast Episode 212
In the second episode of a 4-part podcast series highlighting Andrew’s article, “The 4 Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing,” Andrew Pudewa... read more
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... read more
The Power of Imitation: Crafting a Key Word Outline
Imitation. It’s one of the earliest and most impactful ways that humans learn. A very young baby learns to smile at... read more
Moving on to Unit 3: Podcast Episode 158
Now that the first weeks of school are complete, many students are beginning to move into Unit 3, Retelling Narrative Stories.... read more
Customer Service FAQ of the Month: Returns and Exchanges
At IEW we want you to be completely satisfied with the products you select. After all, you are using them in... read more
Week 8 of The Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 8
If you are participating in this year’s Great TWSS Adventure, this week you will be encountering formal essay models. The essay... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: #DadisReading
While the month of June marks Father’s Day, we should really celebrate fathers every day of the year. After all, they... read more
The Deadly Error of Over-Expectation: Podcast Episode 216
This week’s podcast, Episode 216, concludes the series focusing on the four deadly errors of teaching writing. In the earlier episodes... read more
IEW Tools for the Journey: Arts of Language Podcast
As part of IEW’s continued commitment to providing parents and teachers with help for the journey of training students to be... read more
Grateful Hearts and the Twelve Days of Christmas Giving
‘Tis the season. It’s a time of the year when we are especially mindful of the blessings in our lives and... read more
Week 4 of The Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 4
Last Week This past Monday, Andrew Pudewa and Nathan King sat down together once again, this time to discuss Unit 3: Retelling... read more
The Goodness of Memory, Part 2: Podcast Episode 242
In podcast Episode 242, Andrew and Julie continue their fascinating conversation about memory. One question they ponder is Where does memory... read more
Considering the Possibilities of Unit 3: Podcast Episode 246
Andrew and Julie invited Nathan King to join them in the recording studio for podcast Episode 246. Nathan, a Project Manager... read more
Week 6 of the Great TWSS Adventure: Unit 6
Last Week When Andrew Pudewa and Nathan King reconvened for last week’s Facebook Live event, they began by discussing some of the... read more
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.... read more
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... read more
Poetry in the House: Celebrating Some of Our Own
April is National Poetry Month, and we couldn’t think of a better time of the year to celebrate it! All around... read more
Hot Off the Press! Timeline of Classics (Second Edition)
Taking my kids to the library was one of my very favorite things to do as a homeschool mom. Our library... read more
A Sonnet in Honor of the Student Resource Packet
Our Student Resource Packet is a pretty nifty item. Broken down by the nine IEW units and including sections dedicated to... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Cultivating Collections
Are you a collector? Are your children? While some of us embrace the more minimalist side of life, there are plenty... read more
Considering Aristotle and the Art of Rhetoric: Podcast Episode 124
For Episode 123 Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker waded a little deeper into the topic of advanced thinking skills. Now in... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Exploring Entrepreneurship
Over the past few weeks, we have been sharing some great summer activities to explore with your family. So far we’ve... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Growing Gardens
“Sometimes since I've been in the garden I've looked up through the trees at the sky and I have had a... read more
Teacher Training Method Options: Live On-Site Professional Development
Introducing a new writing process to your school or school district can be a huge undertaking—a significant change in the way... read more
Help for Dysgraphia – Hands off Content; Hands on Style
Teaching children who have learning challenges can be particularly challenging. How do you make sure that your requirements and expectations don’t... read more
Demystifying Verbals: Gaining Clarity on Infinitives, Participles, and Gerunds
One of the elements in the stylistic techniques list is the strong verb. A strong verb is a verb that works... read more
On IEW and Autism and Success: Podcast Episode 186
“It’s teaching them to think out what they want to say really methodically. That’s so good for autistic kids!” Marie Greenhalgh Teaching... read more
How to Give Yourself the Gift of Time this Christmas
Enjoy this guest blog post written by Pamela Barnhill of Your Morning Basket. I can be somewhat of a Christmas Grinch. A few... read more
Week 2 of the Great TWSS Adventure: Introducing Stylistic Techniques
Last Week On Monday of last week, Andrew Pudewa and Nathan King kicked off the 2021 event. Describing why Units 1... read more
Sound City, the Heart of Anna Ingham’s Language Arts Program
When teachers use our materials for Kindergarten through Grade 2, they are directed to use the poetry discussion time to reinforce... read more
Motivation and the Four Forms of Relevancy: Podcast Episode 358
Are there factors that make learning easier? As Andrew notes, “If something is relevant to you, if it is significant, meaningful,... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Considering Clubs
While the official start of summer is still a few weeks away, Memorial Day unofficially ushers in the highly anticipated season.... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Nature Walks
When was the last time you went outside for a walk and really slowed down to notice the nature around you?... read more
Announcing the 2022 Arts of Language Magalog: Podcast Episode 313
IEW’s Arts of Language Magalog is a portmanteau: a word that blends the sounds and meaning of other words. In this... read more
Author Interview: Laura Bettis—Inspired by the Tales of Narnia
Aslan, Reepicheep, Mr. Tumnus, High King Peter, King Edmund, Queens Lucy and Susan, and the White Witch. If you don’t yet... read more
Interview with Teresa Hudson, President of the NCFCA: Podcast Episode 69
Join Andrew and Julie as they interview Teresa Hudson, the President of the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA). Learn... read more
Celebrating Poetry through Recitation: A Contest during the Month of April
Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? To celebrate, IEW is hosting a fun contest through our social media... read more
Spelling and the Brain: A Method of Instruction that Makes Sense
Do you have a student in your life who struggles with spelling? The odds are likely as spelling in our country... read more
On Receiving Accommodations for ACT and SAT—A Personal Story
As a homeschooling parent with a special needs student, I was nervous for high school to begin. I wanted my daughter... read more
Recovering the Art of Effective Communication - Kim Cromer, NCFCA Executive Director
by Kim Cromer Statista, an online statistics portal for more than 22,500 sources, estimates that in 2018 there are 237.6 million smartphones,... read more
On Teaching and Evaluating Writing, Part 2: Podcast Episode 234
Last week Andrew and Julie began a conversation about how to teach writing. In this week’s podcast, Episode 234, they continue... read more
Jill’s Gems: The Art of Invention: Breaking It Down into Meaningful Steps
Enjoy Jill Pike's concrete response to a parent’s recent request for help regarding the art of invention. Inventive writing is difficult because... read more
Week 1 of the Great TWSS Adventure: Units 1 and 2
This week launches a grand adventure. The travelers are from all around the world, but they are united in a single purpose:... read more
On Teaching and Evaluating Writing, Part 1: Podcast Episode 233
This year it seems as if there are more and more children who will be learning from home. With all of... read more
How to Make Reading Aloud the Best Part of Your Day
Enjoy this guest post by Sarah Mackenzie, author and creator of the popular blog, Read-Aloud Revival. When you’re done, check out... read more
Summer Fun in (and out) of the Sun: Building Book Clubs
“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.”... read more
A Parent’s Perspective: The Value of Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
Recently in IEW’s official Facebook Group, mom Marcela B. wrote a post in which she explained how valuable she found the... read more
Changing Someone’s Mind – the Power of Persuasive Writing: Podcast Episode 307
What is an essay? How is it distinguished from a report? Why is it important to teach our students how to... read more
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 more
After the Seminar: Purposeful Practice Delivers Powerful Payback for Teachers—and Students! The Value of the Practicum Exercises in the Structure and Style Seminar.
Summertime is not always a vacation from learning for teachers. While their students are enjoying a break from school, many teachers... read more
The Making of Fix It!: IEW Author and Grammar Guru Pamela White
Pamela White is IEW’s “grammar guru.” Author of the popular Fix It! Grammar series and IEW’s online department head for Level C... read more
Reviewing Our Greatest Hits: The Four Forms of Relevancy: Inspired Relevancy Part 2
This week we continue the theme of relevancy by revisiting the second part of the 3-part podcast series on relevancy. The... read more
Announcing IEW’s Theme-Based Book of the Year: Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
We are excited to share with you that we have declared Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons to be IEW’s theme-based book of... read more
Reviewing Our Greatest Hits: The Four Forms of Relevancy: Intrinsic Relevancy Part 1
We are excited to invite you to the first Reviewing Our Greatest Hits podcast episode. In this first of a 3-episode... read more
Interview with Susan Ison, Director of the Victus Study Skills System: Podcast Episode 91
Join Andrew and Julie as they interview Susan Ison, the president of the Victus Study Skills System. Using both her experience... read more
Reminiscences of Father Blessings
Fathers play a critically important role in the raising of the children—a role that is all too often undervalued or made... read more
Confessions of an Audiophile
When I graduated from college, I figured I had a pretty good idea of what reading was all about. After all,... read more
Teacher Training Method Options: Live On-Site Professional Development: Demonstration and Coaching Day
As a classroom teacher, I participated in scores of staff development days, where my colleagues and I were trained in new... read more
A World of Difference
I love spring! It evokes so many memories for me. The trickle of the snow melting off the roof, the poke... read more
Learning about the Third Edition of Bible-Based Writing Lessons: Podcast Episode 196✝
Once upon a time, there was only one IEW product—Teaching Writing: Structure and Style. It empowered, and continues to empower, teachers... read more
A Buffet of Options
"Which should I choose?" is a common question from parents and teachers exploring IEW's two main options for teaching the Structure... read more
A Slip of Spring
Spring is never late in her arrival by date, although some of us may be embracing her warmth a little more... read more
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... read more
Training Method Options, Part 6: Live On-Site Professional Development — Observation and Coaching Day
Making Excellent Writing Teachers through Individual Coaching The penultimate option in this training series promotes the development of excellent writing teachers through... read more
Reviewing Our Greatest Hits: The Four Forms of Relevancy: Contrived and Enforced Relevancy, Part 3
The discussion about relevancy continues with the third installment of this classic IEW podcast series. During the podcast, Andrew and Julie... read more
Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
Gratitude matters. “I do believe the happiest people that I meet are the ones who have that habit, that attitude of gratitude."... read more
Three Signs of Student Engagement
When IEW’s educational consultants talk with teachers who use our method, we always look forward to asking the question, “What surprises... read more
A New Box of Crayons
As an adult, I still associate going back to school with a particular scent—the aroma of a freshly opened box of... read more
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... read more
Building a Fortress of Encouragement
"Sometimes we feel like if we can't do it perfectly, we won't have success. The truth is, if it's worth doing,... read more
A Beloved Poem of Winter
The arrival of 2019 heralds more than the promise of a new beginning. It also harkens back to nearly one hundred... read more
Reflecting on his childhood, Andrew fondly remembers his father reading poetry aloud to him and his sister as they sailed on their sailboat. This week, Andrew and Julie turn to the topic of poetry and discuss the value in hearing, learning, and reciting it. The duo talk about the appreciation of poetry for its music-like nature and discuss the great joy in sharing poetry with others.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Profound Power of Poetry"
- Nurturing Competent Communicators
- "What to Do with Foxes - A Sonnet" by Andrew Pudewa
- Favorite Poems Old and New Compiled by Helen Ferris
- "Eletelephony" by Laura Elizabeth Richards
- "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll
- "The Land of Counterpane" by Robert Louis Stevenson
- "The Children's Hour" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman
- "A Psalm of Life" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
How many total gifts were given in the twelve days of Christmas song? Tune in to find out! In the spirit of Christmas, IEW gives away gifts on each of the days of Christmas, and this week Andrew and Julie share what some of those gifts are this year. We're on Day 3 now, so click the link in the show notes to receive notifications on the gifts each day!
Referenced Materials:
- Twelve Days of Christmas Giving 2021
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- The Profound Power of Poetry
- Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing
- Pumpkin Spice Cake
- Humor in Teaching and Speaking
- IEW's YouTube Channel
- Spelling and the Brain
- The Phonetic Zoo
- Fix It! Grammar
- Cursive Knowledge
- Principles of Motivation and Skills Development
- Premium Membership
- The Profound Effects of Music on Life
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.
"I just can't think of what to write!" Why is it that students have a difficult time making a thought concrete? Tune in as Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker address this issue, highlight the power of asking questions, and explain the importance of good thinking as it relates to listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Four Language Arts"
- "What Are We Really Doing Here?" by Andrew Pudewa
- Magalog
- The Profound Effects of Music on Life audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- A Word Write Now
- Teaching Boys & Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- High School Essay Intensive (Discontinued)
- "I Keep Six Honest Serving Men" by Rudyard Kipling
- Structure and Style for Students®
Remember to send your questions to podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Frustration and tears are things that many students experience when writing. Consequently, it can be difficult for teachers and parents to encourage these students to complete the task. For the next two weeks, Andrew and Julie will discuss how to reach the reluctant writer. To begin the series, Andrew talks about the importance of understanding why your student is reluctant so that you can best address the issue. Then, Andrew and Julie unpack the writing process and explain the power of the key word outline as it helps students separate the complexity of the process.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Reaching the Reluctant Writer, Part 1"
- "Writing without Tears"
- Cursive Knowledge
- Reaching the Reluctant Writer
- The Profound Effects of Music on Life
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

To kick off a new year, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss IEW’s theme for 2024: Furnishing the Mind. Listen as Andrew describes how the idea of furnishing the mind with beautiful and good things relates specifically to cultivating the skills of language arts.
Referenced Materials
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- Episode 54: What Are We Really Doing Here?
- Cultivating Language Arts – Preschool through High School audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Recommendations for Cultivating the Language Arts
- Profound Effects of Music on Life audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Episode 128: Are You a Read-Aloud Family?
- The Story about Ping by Majorie Flack
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” speech by Patrick Henry
- Episode 398: Think like Shakespeare
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 406
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
This week, Andrew and Julie pick where they left off, talking about the consequences of the alienation from nature. As the episode progresses, Andrew and Julie recount their childhood memories exploring the outdoors and offer advice on prioritizing time in nature for your children.
GO TO PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Bud & Me by Alta Abernathy
- Little Britches by Ralph Moody
- My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
- Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
- The Profound Effects of Music on Life by Andrew Pudewa
- Gathering Place
- Free-Range Kids
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa is interviewed by Gena Mayo, the founder of Music in Our Homeschool. Several years ago, Andrew asked Gena to take over the music course that his mother had written, Singing Made Easy. Listen as Andrew shares the history of that course as well as his own background in and love for music education.
Referenced Materials
- Music in Our Homeschool
- Gena Mayo
- Singing Made Easy
- Suzuki Method
- Cultivating Language Arts – Preschool through High School
- Music in Our Homeschool Instagram
- Music in Our Homeschool on YouTube
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 455
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Why learn Latin? So that you can understand all of Andrew's Latin jokes! This week, Andrew and Julie talk about the dead language and discuss the benefits of learning it. Learn how Latin lays the foundation for learning other languages, and gain insight on how it helps in the understanding of English grammar.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Latin Comes to Life"
- Magalog
- But, but, but ... What about Grammar?
- Memoria Press
- SPQR Latin Dictionary and Reader
- "Why Study Latin?" by Cheryl Lowe
- Michelle Robinson
- Henle Latin by Robert J. Henle
- Classical Conversations®
- Classical Academic Press®: Song School Latin
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
From March to July you can expect Andrew to be traveling to different homeschool conventions across the nation. At these conventions Andrew presents talks that really any educator can glean from. This year Andrew has several new talks. Tune into this episode to get a preview of what his new talks are about!

Referenced Materials:
- "Catching Up on Conventions"
- Andrew's Engagements
- Sarah Mackenzie
- The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
- Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie
- IEW Webinars
- Conquering Corrupt Culture audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- "Culture, Curriculum, and Care"
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.

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 and explains how schools can connect with an Educational Consultant.
Referenced Materials
- Sharyn Staggers
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style for Students
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Learning Differences? IEW can help!
- IEW Research
- Episode 384: Back to the Beginning with Units 1 and 2
- IEW's Professional Development Options
- View and Request School Samples
- Schools Magalog
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 387
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to Podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
In the school system the purpose of studying is often solely to pass a test. Is that really the most valuable form of learning? This week Andrew and Julie discuss the benefits of mastery learning. Tune in to this episode as Andrew shares how repetition and reinforcement empower students to think better, and learn how the mastery of subjects enables students to form skills and apply their knowledge later in life.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Mastery Learning, Ability Development, and Individualized Education audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Shinichi Suzuki
- All About Spelling
- Fix It! Grammar
- Kumon
- Seven Myths about Education by Daisy Christodoulou
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
With November being National Novel Writing Month, Andrew and Julie discuss Unit 3: Retelling Narrative Stories. Because of his love for storytelling, Nathan King also joins the conversation and discusses the power of writing a story that creates imagery in the audience's mind through the use of vocabulary. Join us this week as the trio walks through Unit 3 and discusses how it has been used for novel writing.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Considering the Possibilities of Unit 3"
- NaNoWriMo
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Anna Ingham
- Aesop's Fables
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
- Nathan King
- Bible Quest™
- The Princess Bride
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
- Magnum Opus Magazine
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
This is the fourth episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on July 18, 2018, as Episode 148.
In this podcast Andrew and Julie welcome Monica Swanson, a blogger and homeschool mom of four boys. Monica asks Andrew some of her blog readers' frequently asked questions on topics like motivation and reading, to help her as she writes the last chapter of her book, Boy Mom. Tune in to hear Monica ask her son's fun questions for Andrew (near the end).
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Episode 199: A Special Announcement
- Monica Swanson - The Grommom
- Boy Mom
- Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day
- Monica's Baked French Toast Recipe
- Motivation
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2
- Why Gender Matters by Leonard Sax, Ph.D (Amazon Affiliate)
- Boys Adrift by Leonard Sax, Ph.D (Amazon Affiliate)
- Podcast with Sarah Mackenzie
- Read-Aloud Revival
- Penrod by Booth Tarkington (Amazon Affiliate)
- Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rogers (Amazon Affiliate)
- DK Illustrated Oxford Dictionary by Oxford (Amazon Affiliate)
- Boy Mom Podcast
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
From inspiring to technical, IEW's blogs are here to support and guide teachers and parents and aid students in their educational journey. In this podcast Andrew and Julie welcome the IEW blog "curator," Jennifer Mauser. Enjoy a fun conversation with Jennifer as she explains her role with IEW's blog, and learn about the different content that she publishes on the website.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Blog
- Jennifer Mauser
- Laura House
- Student Writing Intensive
- Jill Pike
- Forum
- Fix It! Grammar
- World History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Online Classes
- Blog: Testimonials
- "Checklists—Not Just for Enchiladas!" by Jennifer Mauser
- "Celebrating the Checklist" by Jill Pike
- "Sentence Openers: #2 or #5?" by Jill Pike
- Click here to subcribe to our blog!
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

In an age of increased technology use, many students are reading on tablets and typing their work. This week Andrew Pudewa gathers his research to discuss the effects of technology in an educational setting. In this insightful episode you will learn about the differences between reading on paper versus on a screen, the benefits of writing notes instead of typing them, and the advantages of using a pen rather than a pencil.
Referenced Materials
- “Convert . . . to Pens!”
- Paper and Pen audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Paper and Pen Slides
- Structure and Style for Students
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- “More than Ebook vs. Print: The Concept of ‘Media Mentors’” by
Lisa Guernsey - “Teaching with Interactive Picture E-Books in Grades K–6” by
Heather Ruetschlin Schugar et al. - Words Onscreen by Naomi S. Baron
- “Reading Linear Texts on Paper versus Computer Screen: Effects on Reading Comprehension” by Anne Mangen et al.
- “Readers Absorb Less on Kindles than on Paper, Study Finds” published by
The Guardian - “Laptop Multitasking Hinders Classroom Learning for Both Users and Nearby Peers” by Faria Sana et al.
- “The Pen Is Mightier than the Keyboard” by Pam A. Mueller and
Daniel M. Oppenheimer - “Should Cursive Handwriting Still Be Taught in Schools?”
- Cursive Knowledge
- “An Analysis of the Ball Point Pen versus the Pencil as a Beginning Handwriting Instrument” by Shirley Tawney
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 354
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

In the modern world, the education system places little emphasis on rote learning and memorization. As Andrew Pudewa points out in this episode, though, our memory is what allows us to act, talk, and create new things. Tune in to learn how a memorized repertoire enriches and furnishes the mind. Toward the end of the conversation, Andrew notes that the more one practices memorizing, the easier the task becomes!
Referenced Materials
- Nurturing Competent Communicators audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- By Heart — The Goodness of Memory audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Ten Thousand Times and Then Begins Understanding audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 349
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
This is the thirteenth episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on September 15, 2015, as Episode 8.
Over the past century there has been a great decline in thinking skills. Be a part of this week's conversation as Andrew and Julie examine what critical thinking actually is, and discover how good thinking is teachable, learnable, and practicable.
Referenced Materials:
- The Four Language Arts
- Student Writing Intensive (Discontinued)
- Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman
- Underground History of American Education by John Taylor Gatto
- The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
What is the art of persuasion, really? Join Andrew and Julie as they hone in on this topic by unpacking the six elements of persuasion, and learn how IEW's Structure and Style method encompasses those elements.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "But, but, but...What about Grammar?" Audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- "Principles of Persuasion" by Dr. Robert Cialdini
- Thinking
- The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing
- Humor in Teaching
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
In this podcast Andrew and Julie welcome blogger and homeschool mom of four boys, Monica Swanson. Monica asks Andrew some frequently asked questions from her blog readers on topics like motivation and reading to help her as she writes the last chapter of her book, Boy Mom (working title). Tune in until the end to hear Monica ask her son's fun questions for Andrew.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Monica Swanson - The Grommom
- Boy Mom (working title)
- "Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day"
- Monica's Baked French Toast Recipe
- Motivation
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2
- Why Gender Matters by Leonard Sax, Ph.D (Amazon Affiliate)
- Boys Adrift by Leonard Sax, Ph.D (Amazon Affiliate)
- Podcast with Sarah Mackenzie
- Read-Aloud Revival
- Penrod by Booth Tarkington (Amazon Affiliate)
- Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S Forester (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rogers (Amazon Affiliate)
- DK Illustrated Oxford Dictionary by Oxford (Amazon Affiliate)
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

In this week’s podcast episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker welcome Karen Cuellar, one of the stellar moms behind IEW’s Structure and Style for Students program. Karen had the unique experience of having one of her children in each of the three levels during the filming of Years 1 and 2 of the program. Karen reminisces about the project, shares some of the Cuellar family’s struggles and successes, and ultimately illustrates the power of IEW’s Structure and Style method.
Referenced Materials
- IEW Magalog
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style for Students
- “Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing”
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Episode 333: Letter to the Editor
- Aspire Academy
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 386
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to Podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the history of the IEW’s methodology and how the checklist makes it possible for students to enjoy writing. Julie also shares about the IEW Checklist Generator™, IEW® Gradebook, and instructor accreditation.
Referenced Materials
- Blended Structure and Style in Composition by Dr. James B. Webster
- Episode 416: A Tribute to Dr. James B. Webster
- “The Online IEW Checklist Generator™”
- IEW® Gradebook
- Episode 512: IEW Gradebook – Why Teachers Love It
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- IEW Accreditation
- Dr. Webster’s University Essay Checklists
- “The Power of the Checklist”
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 516
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
For teachers and parents, it can be easy to be concerned about your student meeting the expectations set. In this episode Andrew and Julie address the concern and discuss the different stages of learning for students. Gain insight on how helping them during each stage, whether it be a cute or an awkward phase, is important in developing competent communicators, and learn the importance of believing in and encouraging your students.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Different Stages of Learning"
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style for Students
- "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
- Bible Heroes Writing Lessons
- People and Places in Our Community
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

Why is it important to teach grammar? How does grammar help with comprehension and skills beyond just knowing the parts of speech? Listen as Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker dive into this valuable subject. Andrew shares a bit of the history behind the Fix It!® Grammar series and talks about why it is an effective method of teaching grammar.
Referenced Materials
- But . . . but . . . but . . . What about Grammar? audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Fix It! Grammar
- Fix It! Grammar free lessons
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 519
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Can memory be stored somewhere other than our brains? Tune into this episode to find out! Picking up where they left off, Andrew and Julie conclude the series on memory by going through the joys of memory and providing suggestions as to how to cultivate the art.
GO TO PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Goodness of Memory, Part 2"
- A Change of Heart by Claire Sylvia
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Horatius at the Bridge by Thomas Babington Macaulay
- "The Embarrassing Episode of Little Miss Muffet" by Guy Wetmore Carry
- "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll
- Memorize the Faith! by Kevin Vost
- Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer
- "Eight Ways to Remember Anything" by Alex Lickerman M.D.
- "Post-Study Caffeine Administration Enhances Memory Consolidation in Humans"
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
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:
- Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Structure and Style® for Students
- The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- High School Essay Intensive (Discontinued)
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
What motivates anybody to learn? Answering this question, Andrew and Julie begin this two-part series by discussing the four forms of relevancy. Learn the importance of capitalizing on your student's interests, and gain insight on the least effective form: enforced relevancy.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Art and Science of Motivation" by Andrew Pudewa
- Maria Montessori
- Shinichi Suzuki
- "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Online Classes
- Fix It! Grammar
- Episode 220: Ask Andrew Anything
- Podcast with Dr. Leonard Sax
- "4, 3, 2 Motivate!"
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
This is the second episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on November 14, 2018, as Episode 165.
In part two of this series, Andrew and Julie discuss the second form of relevancy: inspired relevancy. Even if children do not have an intrinsic interest in something, they can still be inspired to learn about it if someone they love has a genuine interest in it. Discover the different ways students are inspired to learn, and gain some insight on how you can apply that to your students' studies.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Episode 199: A Special Announcement
- Motivation
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (Amazon Affiliate)
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding (Amazon Affiliate)
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

In this Laying the Foundation episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss one of the foundational skills that IEW teaches along with writing—asking questions. Andrew reviews the structural units to show how the units use questions to help students with “what to write about.” In the process, students build thinking skills.
Referenced Materials
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- “The Power of the Method Is in the Structure”
- University-Ready Writing
- “How IEW Teaches Thinking”
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 528
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

Andrew Pudewa, “the funny man with the wonderful words,” is known for telling jokes to his audiences whether it is to students in a classroom or parents and educators at a conference. Incorporating humor and selecting jokes appropriately is a skill that can be developed. In today’s podcast he and Julie Walker explore the art of telling jokes. Listen in to enjoy a few laughs with Andrew as he defines gelotology, explains how to tell a joke, and of course shares a few jokes too.
Referenced Materials
- Andrew Pudewa
- Episode 312: Learning about Laughter
- Humor in Teaching and Speaking audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Jim Weiss
- The Babylon Bee
- "Keep your worms warm"
- "Andrew's Joke of the Month" YouTube Playlist
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 371
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
This is the first episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on November 7, 2018, as Episode 164.
"How children learn has a more lasting effect than what they learn." This week Andrew and Julie discuss Intrinsic Relevancy, that thing that is interesting because it is. Join us as Andrew and Julie discuss the importance of capitalizing on your students' intrinsic interests, which then motivates and teaches students how to learn.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Episode 199: A Special Announcement
- National Novel Writing Month
- Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day
- Motivation
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2
- However Imperfectly
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Book
- Dr. Leonard Sax
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding (Amazon Affiliate)
- Lemonade to Leadership by Bonnie Drew
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
In and outside of the classroom, we want our students to be creative in their skills. However, before students can create, they must first have a foundation to build upon. This week, Andrew and Julie talk about how imitation is the first step in learning any new skill, and they discuss the way in which imitation gives students the tools so that they can create or innovate within their new skill.
Referenced Materials:
- Mike Rowe's YouTube Channel
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- Articles by Andrew Pudewa
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.

Hard Work U® is the motto at College of the Ozarks. Valerie Coleman, director of communications and public relations, and Micah, a public relations major and student working in that office, join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker to talk about the unique environment at College of the Ozarks. They discuss how students are able to pay for college by working in many unique venues on campus. Listen to their conversation and share it with any hardworking, college-bound students that you know.
Referenced Materials
- College of the Ozarks
- College of the Ozarks Ice Cream
- Classic Learning Test
- School of the Ozarks
- College of the Ozarks mission
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 501
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
"Children like to do what they can do." This week, Andrew and Julie delve into the three laws of motivation and provide insight on how to implement them in your student's learning environment. Stay tuned towards the end when Andrew reveals the two secret weapons for creating enthusiasm in your students.
GO TO PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "4, 3, 2 Motivate!"
- "The Art and Science of Motivation" by Andrew Pudewa
- Mastery Learning, Ability Development, and Individualized Education by Andrew Pudewa
- CliftonStrengths
- Structure and Style® for Students
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

“If the children can’t go to the walls, the walls must come to the children.” Listen to this episode to learn the history of the popular Portable Walls™ products. Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker share the inspiration behind these handy resources and the variations that have been developed through the years.
Referenced Materials
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- Portable Walls™ for Structure and Style® Students
- Portable Walls™ for Academic Writing
- Portable Walls™ for the Public Speaker
- Portable Walls™ Grammar on the Go
- “Sound City, the Heart of Anna Ingham’s Language Arts Program”
- Rocklin School District Study
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Join us in this enjoyable episode as Andrew and Julie welcome homeschool mom, blogger, and our top affiliate, Erica Arndt. In today's episode Erica describes her life as a homeschooling mom, tells the story of how her blog grew, and provides insight on how to juggle the many responsibilities of teaching your students at home.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- IEW Affiliate Program
- Confessions of a Homeschooler
- Erica's YouTube Channel
- Heidi St. John
- Fix It! Grammar
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- High School Essay Intensive
- The Elegant Essay
- Erica's Instagram
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
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 Memory, Part 1"
- "Nurturing Competent Communicators"
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- "The Five Canons of Rhetoric"
- Mnemosnye
- The Iliad by Homer
- "The Art and Science of Motivation"
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning by Anna Ingham
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

In this podcast, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss how IEW teaches thinking using some aspects of the classical model and the Canons of Rhetoric. They specifically address the first canon, invention, and how students learn division of subjects, one of the key skills in inventive writing. Listen to this episode to learn how to help your students come up with content and present it in a winsome and well-ordered way.
Referenced Materials
- University-Ready Writing
- “Is IEW ‘Classical’?”
- “Filling the Blank Page with Unit 7”
- University-Ready Writing free lessons
- Introduction to Public Speaking
- Episode 236: The Five Canons of Rhetoric, Part 1
- Video Interview with Dr. Chesley reviewing University-Ready Writing
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 464
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker welcome Kathleen Ray and Drew Stafford to this special podcast edition of Where Are They Now? Kathleen and Drew were classmates in the filming of Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level C (SSS-1C), one of IEW’s high school video courses. They join Andrew and Julie in the studio to discuss their experiences with the production and what they have been doing since.
Referenced Materials
- IEW Blog
- Structure and Style for Students
- Drew Stafford
- Classical Conversations
- Episode 281: Talking about the Intangibles
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Episode 383: Dual Enrollment with Dr. Nicholas Ellis
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 393
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
In part two of this series, Andrew and Julie discuss the second form of relevancy: Inspired Relevancy. Even if a child does not have an intrinsic interest in something, they can still be inspired to learn about it if someone they love has a genuine interest in it. Discover the different ways students are inspired to learn, and gain some insight on how you can apply that to your students' studies.
GO TO: PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Motivation
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (Amazon Affiliate)
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding (Amazon Affiliate)
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
Beginning the series on "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing," Andrew and Julie address the first error: overcorrecting. Listen as Andrew and Julie discuss the negative effect of overcorrecting your student's writing, and stay tuned as Andrew elaborates on how a student's editor should take a "minimalist" approach.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
- Reaching the Reluctant Writer by Andrew Pudewa
- Nurturing Competent Communicators by Andrew Pudewa
- Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day by Andrew Pudewa
- Hire an Editor!
- Letter to My Student's Editor
- "But it's so ... so ... awkward!" by Andrew Pudewa
- Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle by Jane Bell Kiester
- Fix It! Grammar
- Structure and Style for Students
- "Process versus Product" by Andrew Pudewa
- Online Classes
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
"How children learn has a more lasting effect than what they learn." This week Andrew and Julie discuss Intrinsic Relevancy, that thing that is interesting because it is. Join us as Andrew and Julie discuss the importance of capitalizing on your students' intrinsic interests, which then motivates and teaches students how to learn.
GO TO: Part 2
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- National Novel Writing Month
- Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day
- Motivation
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2
- However Imperfectly
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Book
- Dr. Leonard Sax
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding (Amazon Affiliate)
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
At what point does content matter more than Structure and Style? This week Andrew and Julie delve into the topic and discuss the importance of being able to communicate effectively in order to express content successfully. Be inspired as Andrew shares the power that language holds, and learn the importance of expanding your students' capacity to think as it will enable them to use language in a way that will allow good ideas to be presented well.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Ideas Have Consequences by Richard M. Weaver
- Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

Are there factors that make learning easier? As Andrew notes, “If something is relevant to you, if it is significant, meaningful, useful, interesting, helpful to you, then it is easy to study and learn.” This week Andrew and Julie discuss the four forms of relevancy: intrinsic, inspired, contrived, and enforced. Andrew and Julie dive into these ideas and share how they can be used to help both students and teachers!
Referenced Materials
- Teaching Boys & Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Episode 174: Why Gender Matters — An Interview with Dr. Leonard Sax
- "The Art and Science of Motivation"
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contests
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 358
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Recently IEW released its annual magalog, a portmanteau of magazine and catalog. Tune in this week to learn about some of the content inside of this year's magalog. Additionally Andrew and Julie discuss the testimonies featured in the magalog, and Andrew reads letters that he received from students.

Referenced Materials:
- "Announcing the 2022 Arts of Language Magalog"
- Magalog
- "You Don't Have to Like It..." by Andrew Pudewa
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Sharyn Staggers
- Structure and Style® for Students Testimonials
- "What’s Your IEW® Story?"
- "From the Mailbag: I Hate IEW!"
- "Letters to Treasure"
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.

If you have ever considered becoming an accredited IEW instructor, this podcast is for you. Listen as Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk with Sydney Hoff, founder and director of Rose Writing Center. Sydney shares how IEW has impacted her teaching and contributed to the growth of her business. After becoming an accredited IEW instructor herself and realizing the value of that process, Sydney recommends it to everyone she works with.
Referenced Materials
- Rose Writing Center
- Sydney Hoff
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- IEW® Gradebook
- Episode 414: Furnishing the Mind with Reading – Read With Me
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Poetry recitation videos from Rose Writing Center
- IEW Accreditation Program
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 491
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
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:
- "Convert...to Pens!" by Andrew Pudewa
- "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King
- "Nurturing Competent Communicators"
- "4 Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Memorize the Faith! by Kevin Vost
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
This is the third episode of twenty-four in the podcast series, Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on November 21, 2018, as Episode 166.
To finish up this conversation on relevancy, Andrew and Julie discuss the last of the four forms of relevancy: contrived relevancy and enforced relevancy. Learn how creating a game can motivate your student to learn, and discover how enforced relevancy is the least effective motivator as it can lead to a dislike for learning.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Episode 199: A Special Announcement
- Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day
- Why Gender Matters by Dr. Leonard Sax (Amazon Affiliate)
- Mastery Learning, Ability Development, and Individualized Education
- The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Outmatched™: Ancient History
- U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Fix-It! Grammar
- Motivation
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
"The teacher's primary job is to be an example." Beyond academics, a classroom is a place where students learn values, or as Anna Ingham called them, "the intangibles." In this insightful episode Andrew and Julie discuss the importance of modeling good character for your students and talk about some of the intangible lessons Andrew tries to instill when teaching writing.
REFERENCED MATERIALS
- "Talking about the Intangibles"
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Anna Ingham
- Blended Structure & Style in Composition by Dr. James B. Webster
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style for Students
- 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson
- "Make Your Bed Speech" by Navy Seal, Admiral William McRaven
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
"Sink or swim!" While we all may use the phrase in a comical sense, it simply isn't true. Today, Andrew and Julie turn to the second of the four deadly errors: withholding help. Join the conversation as Andrew and Julie discuss how committing this error actually impedes the development of your student, and learn why students must prove their independence in a skill before a teacher leaves them on their own.
GO TO: PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
- Dr. James B. Webster
- IEW Blog
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
This week, Andrew and Julie move on to the second language art: speaking. Tune in as the duo discusses the loss of speaking skills in our culture, explores the cultivation of the art, and emphasizes the value of memorization and recitation.
GO TO: PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Four Language Arts"
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization by Andrew Pudewa
- Classical Conversations
- The Little House by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Laddie by Gene Stratton Porter
- Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
- Little Britches by Ralph Moody
- Highlands Latin School
- The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association
- Speech Boot Camp (Discontinued)
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
- "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass
- The Columbian Orator by David W. Blight
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
Picking up where they left off, Andrew and Julie hone in on the third of the four deadly errors of teaching writing: unclear assignments. Many of us have experience with the frustration of an unclear assignment and the confusion it can bring. Join Andrew as he discusses what makes for an unclear assignment and provides practical ways to ensure the assignments you give your students are clear and helpful.
GO TO: PART 1 | Part 2
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Portable Walls for the Essayist (Discontinued)
- Teaching Boys & Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day by Andrew Pudewa
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Magnum Opus Magazine
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
In a world with many opinions, it's important to teach students how to take up an issue and write persuasively. In this episode Andrew and Julie walk through the pathway of developing an essayist and discuss how teachers can cultivate critical thinking. Additionally Andrew and Julie talk about the importance of acknowledging and respecting the opposing point of view when engaging in a discussion or writing persuasively.

Referenced Materials:
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Developing the Essayist audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- The Ultimate Questions audio talk by Maureen Richards
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.
Join Andrew and Julie as they interview Teresa Hudson, the President of the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA). Learn how speech and debate enhance students’ communication skills as well as foster an excellent learning environment.
Referenced Materials:
- Teresa Hudson
- NCFCA
- An Introduction to Argumentation and Debate by Christy Shipe
- The NCFCA Comprehensive Guide to Speech[Competitor's Handbook] by NCFCA
- The NCFCA Comprehensive Guide to Speech[Coach's Manual] by NCFCA
- The NCFCA Comprehensive Guide to Speech[Parent's Guide] by NCFCA
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
In this podcast Andrew and Julie introduce and discuss our brand new product, However Imperfectly: Lessons learned from thirty years of teaching and other articles written by Andrew Pudewa. Learn how the book came to be and get a sneak peek of the great content imbedded in the pages of the book.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst (Amazon Affiliate)
- e-Newsletters
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- IEW's Facebook
- IEW's Instagram
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

Continuing the conversation, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker ask Pamela White additional questions about the amount of grammar students should study and the benefits to learning grammar in developing thinking skills and reading comprehension. They finish with a discussion of AI tools and why most do not benefit students.
Referenced Materials
- “Writing Maketh an Exact Man”
- Fix It!® Grammar
- Structure and Style® for Students: Year 1 Level C
- Fix It! Grammar free lessons
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 468
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

In this episode Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker interview Lizabeth Brasells, the managing editor of Magnum Opus Magazine—IEW’s premier showcase of work from students around the world. Listen as they share the history behind the Magnum Opus, the process of selecting pieces for publication, and the ways the magazine can be used by teachers and teaching parents to model the Structure and Style® method and motivate students.
Referenced Materials
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Lizabeth Brasells
- IEW Writing Contest
- “Magnum Opus Magazine: A Resource and Opportunity for Teachers and Students”
- Andrew Pudewa introduces Magnum Opus Magazine
- Transcript for Podcast Episode 489
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

In celebration of National Grammar Day (March 4), Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk with Pamela White about why grammar is important, how it relates to thinking and reading comprehension, and how she came to write the Fix It!® Grammar series. They also address sentence diagramming and why it does not necessarily translate into better grammar skills.
Referenced Materials
- Fix It! Grammar
- Fix It! Grammar free lessons
- Pamela White
- But . . . but . . . but . . . What about Grammar? audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 467
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
To finish up this conversation on relevancy, Andrew and Julie discuss the last of the Four Forms of Relevancy: Contrived Relevancy and Enforced Relevancy. Learn how creating a game can motivate your student to learn, and discover how Enforced Relevancy is the least effective motivator as it can lead to a dislike for learning.
GO TO: Part 1 | Part 2
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day
- Why Gender Matters by Dr. Leonard Sax (Amazon Affiliate)
- Mastery Learning, Ability Development, and Individualized Education
- The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Outmatched™: Ancient History
- U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Fix-It! Grammar
- Motivation
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
As parents we do not want our children to just read a piece of literature—we want them to understand and discuss the meaning of it. Join Andrew and Julie as they interview Adam Andrews, the founder of the Center for Lit. Learn the goals and philosophy of Mr. Andrews' foundation, the methods for properly analyzing literature, and the importance of asking questions.
Referenced Materials:
- Center For Lit
- Teaching the Classics
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- University of Washington
- Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban (Amazon Affiliate Link)
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Amazon Affiliate Link)
- Patrick Lencioni
- A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban (Amazon Affiliate Link)
- Ready Readers by Adam Andrews
- Reading Road Maps by Adam Andrews
- Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Amazon Affiliate Link)
- Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (Amazon Affiliate Link)
- Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens (Amazon Affiliate Link)
- Center for Lit Online Classes
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
In a world where everyone has an opinion, it is important to be able to think, listen, analyze, and communicate effectively. This week Andrew and Julie welcome the Director of Education for the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA), Amy Joy Tofte. Join us as Amy Joy discusses the mission of NCFCA, offers insight on the incredible value of speech and debate as it challenges young people to communicate well and pursue truth, and gives us a sneak peek at NCFCA's online events coming up this summer!
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Effective Communication: The Counterweight to All the Yelling" by Kim Cromer
- Episode 219: Entrepreneurship
- The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association
- Amy Joy Tofte
- Christy Shipe
- Kim Cromer
- NCFCA: Find a Club Near Me
- NCFCA 2021 Debate Resolutions
- NCFCA Online Summit
- NCFCA Online Intensive
- Support NCFCA.
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
With Mother's Day approaching, Andrew reflects on his childhood and on things his mother did right. Join us in this gratifying episode where Andrew shares what he really appreciated about his mother, from her gift of music to her lessons about cooking.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Things My Mother Did Right"
- Nurturing Competent Communicators by Andrew Pudewa
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
It's that time of the year again when IEW gives away a gift (or two) on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Join us to learn a little backstory on the Twelve Days of Christmas Giving and get a sneak peek of all the gifts IEW will be giving away this Christmas season!
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
This is the tenth episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on April 18, 2018, as Episode 137.
In part one of this two-part series, Andrew and Julie share a few laughs as they discuss humor in teaching. Learn the powerful health benefits of humor and gain some insight on the positive effects it can have in the classroom, from an increase in student participation to a cultivation of a deeper love of learning.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- IEW's YouTube Channel
- Andrew Kern
- Anguished English by Richard Lederer
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
In most learning experiences, there is typically a period of awkwardness when the new skill is attempted. Wrap up the series with Andrew and Julie as they discuss the fourth deadly error of teaching writing: over-expectation. Learn the importance of being aware of the natural learning process, and be inspired by Andrew's expectation of his students.
GO TO: PART 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
- Structure and Style for Students
- Portable Walls for the Essayist (Discontinued)
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- IEW Blog
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
Join Andrew and Julie as they interview Susan Ison, the president of the Victus Study Skills System. Using both her experience and knowledge, Susan explains the process of her system, the value of learning basic study skills, and how they apply not only to young students but adults as well.
Referenced Materials:
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

Merry Christmas! At IEW the Christmas celebration has just begun since we celebrate the holiday from December 26 until January 6. In the spirit of the season, Andrew and Julie reveal their favorite Christmas movies. In this week’s episode, the two share delightful stories about times they have watched the films and explain why they enjoy the movies they do.
Referenced Materials
- Twelve Days of Christmas Giving 2022
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
- The Little Drummer Boy
- Amahl and the Night Visitors
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
- Miracle on 34th Street
- A Christmas Carol
- 1999 Movie
- Book by Charles Dickens
- Musical
- Scrooge
- The Sound of Music
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- Joyeux Noel
- Christmas with the Kranks
- Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
- Holiday Inn
- The Man Who Invented Christmas
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 353
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

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 of gifts you can expect, and discuss the rules to participate in the promotion.
Referenced Materials
- Twelve Days of Christmas Giving 2022
- Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
- "Share the Joy!"
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 352
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
In part one of this two-part series, Andrew and Julie share a few laughs as they discuss humor in teaching. Learn the powerful health benefits of humor and gain some insight on the positive effects it can have in the classroom, from an increase in student participation to a cultivation of a deeper love of learning.
go to part 2
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- IEW's YouTube Channel
- Andrew Kern
- Anguished English: An Anthology of Accidental Assaults upon Our Language by Richard Lederer
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

It’s graduation season! Commencement speeches, students walking across the stage to receive their diplomas, and parents cheering their graduates are all part of this ceremonial rite of passage. Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss how commencement is a time of celebrating accomplishments and yet preparing to launch into a new life journey. Listen in as Andrew shares his thoughts on graduation and imparts his words of wisdom for both high school and college graduates.
Referenced Materials
- 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
- Beyond Order by Jordan Peterson
- The Bible in a Year
- The One-Life Solution by Henry Cloud
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 372
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

Listen as Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker reflect on the wonderful journey from IEW’s humble beginnings to where they are today. They look back at the first newsletter and share anecdotes about people and events that have advanced the company through the years.
Referenced Materials
- The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- Structure and Style for Students
- “Writing Maketh an Exact Man”
- Our Story
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 466
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they talk with Drew Formsma about artificial intelligence (AI), ChatGPT, and the effects new technology has on culture. Teachers are scrambling to determine whether using AI is cheating and how students can use artificial intelligence with academic integrity. Parents are simply trying to understand what artificial intelligence is. Listen to this episode as Drew presents suggestions for conversations parents and teachers need to have with their students.
Referenced Materials
- Drew Formsma
- Everyday Generosity by Drew Formsma and Brad Formsma
- I Like Giving
- TEDx talk by Drew Formsma
- Nurturing Competent Communicators
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 376
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk to Lisa VanDamme, founder of the VanDamme Academy in Southern California. Lisa is passionate about making meaningful works of literature part of everyone’s life. They are joined by Joseph Tabenkin, who began following her reading program and developed an app for it: Read With Me. Listen to this episode as Andrew and Lisa compare favorite novels and share the joy of reading.
Referenced Materials
- Lisa VanDamme
- VanDamme Academy
- Read With Me
- Joseph Tabenkin
- Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand
- Ninety-Three by Victor Hugo
- IEW Book Recommendations
- VanDamme Academy favorite books
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 414
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
As Father's Day approaches and graduates move on to the next chapter of their life, Andrew and Julie open the conversation discussing the tools or "ingredients" grads can pack away in their suitcase. Join us for this insightful episode where Andrew reflects on the environment he tried to create for his children to aid them as they began building a life of their own.
Referenced Materials:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- High School Essay Intensive (Discontinued)
- "Humor in Teaching and Speaking" by Andrew Pudewa
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
With the rise of technology being used in the classroom, it can be difficult for teachers and parents to determine when it is appropriate to use it. In this episode, Andrew and Julie hone in on the topics and discuss when technology in education makes sense. Learn how technology can enhance the learning experience, but also gain insight on the negative effects it can have if not applied appropriately.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- "Low-Tech Teaching with High-End Results"
- The Flickering Mind by Todd Oppenheimer
- "The God Thoth and the Invention of Writing"
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- When Can You Trust the Experts? by Daniel Willingham
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk with Sara Osborne, author of Reading for the Long Run: Leading Struggling Students into the Reading Life. Listen as they discuss her comparison of teaching reading to long distance running and the surprising rewards for both the teacher and the student when learning is hard.
Referenced Materials
- Reading for the Long Run by Sara Osborne
- Learning Differences? IEW can help!
- R14: Learning Differences, Part 1 — Dyslexia
- Episode 159: IEW and Dyslexia: A Conversation with Susan Barton
- Episode 197: While Andrew's Away: Living with Dyslexia—An Interview with Chris Pudewa
- Episode 231: The Dyslexic Advantage: A Conversation with Brock and Fernette Eide
- Episode 363: IEW Helps Students with Dyslexia
- Episode 378: IEW and Dysgraphia with Jennifer Mauser
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 411
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
It seems that many people are natural-born spellers while others are not. Either way, Andrew and Julie discuss the importance of mastery through repetition when it comes to the subject. Referring to The Phonetic Zoo, Andrew and Julie talk about the history of the program and share the benefits of an auditory-based spelling program.

Referenced Materials:
- The Phonetic Zoo
- Anna Ingham
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Laddie by Gene Stratton-Porter
- Penrod by Booth Tarkington
- Spelling and the Brain
- Why Great Grammar Doesn't Guarantee Great Writers
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.
"Every child can learn; it all depends on the teacher." Dr. Suzuki truly believed that all children could learn when provided the right conditions. Enjoy a fun and inspiring podcast as Andrew talks about his time studying under Dr. Suzuki in Japan, and gain some insight on Suzuki's methodology.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Shinichi Suzuki
- Ability Development from Age Zero by Shinichi Suzuki (Amazon Affiliate)
- Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki (Amazon Affiliate)
- Maria Montessori
- "Why and How Music Will Save the World" by Andrew Pudewa
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
Whether you have a young student just beginning to learn letters or an older student struggling with reading, Jill Pike's Primary Arts of Language (PAL) program is here to guide you through helping your student learn to read and write. Join Andrew and Julie as they interview Jill Pike about the background and methods of IEW’s PAL program.
Referenced Materials:
- Jill Pike
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Anna Ingham, C.M.
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, Second Edition
- The Primary Arts of Language (PAL) by Jill Pike
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning by Anna Ingham, C.M.
- The Primary Arts of Language: Writing Complete Packet
- Primary Arts of Language: Phonetic Games
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).

Wonders of Science Writing Lessons joined the theme-based writing series in March 2023. In this podcast Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker bring clarity to the IEW theme-based product line and give recommendations on where to start and where to continue. They also explore the reason why these are the most frequently asked questions from our customers. Listen in as they praise the benefits and wonders of the IEW theme-based writing lessons.
Referenced Materials
- Wonders of Science Writing Lessons
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style for Students
- Magalog
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 377
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

In part one of the 500th episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker reflect on the history and growth of the Arts of Language podcast. They share lighthearted stories about podcast listening habits and discuss how far the podcast has come since its early days. The conversation turns to memorable episodes, such as interviews with Andrew’s son about the hidden strengths of dyslexia, guest appearances from Dr. Leonard Sax and Dr. Carol Swain, and discussions of books like How to Think like Shakespeare.
Referenced Materials
- Episode 54: What Are We Really Doing Here? Part 1
- Episode 197: While Andrew's Away – Living with Dyslexia—An Interview with Chris Pudewa, Part 1
- Episode R07: Why Gender Matters – An Interview with Dr. Leonard Sax
- Episode 398: Think like Shakespeare, Part 1
- Episode 382: Announcing IEW’s Partnership with Hillsdale College!
- Episode 481: Writing across the Curriculum with Dr. O’Toole
- Amber O’Neal Johnston
- Heidi St. John
- MomStrong 365 A Daily Devotional to Encourage and Empower Everyday Moms
- The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
- Episode R05: Are You a Part of a "Read-Aloud Family"? A Conversation with Sarah Mackenzie
- Episode 435: Becoming Homeschoolers with Monica Swanson
- Episode 282: A Visit with Dr. Carol Swain†
- Episode 264: The Benefits of Mastery Education
- Episode 299: The Profound Power of Poetry
- Episode 283: A Bookish Discussion, Part 1
- Episode 272: The Different Stages of Learning
- Episode 273: Culture, Curriculum, and Care, Part 1
- Episode 281: Talking about the Intangibles
- Episode 296: Impacting English Language Learners with Structure and Style
- Episode 288: Reaching the Reluctant Writer, Part 1
- Episode 293: Process versus Product
- Episode 294: Writing across the Curriculum
- Episode 269: The Mighty Pen – Teaching Students to Change the World through Language
- Episode 311: Optimizing Instruction for Boys and Girls
- Episode 306: Speaking of Spelling
- Episode 305: Homeschool 101, An Interview with Sam Sorbo
- Episode 447: Alternative Learning with Jennifer Mauser
- Episode 478: What’s in Your Audible Account?
- Soul School by Amber O’Neal Johnston
- Twelve Days of Christmas Giving
- Episode 261: When Technology in Education Makes Sense
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 500 Part 1
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
As a mom, it can be easy to get bogged down and overwhelmed with the busyness of schooling. In this episode Andrew and Julie chat with Kristi Clover, a homeschool mom of five whose goal is to inspire women with "simple solutions for a more joy-filled life." Join us as Kristi shares her tips on getting organized and offers advice on bringing joy to a mom's crazy, chaotic, but wonderful homeschool life.
Referenced Materials:
- Kristi Clover's Website
- Sanity Savers for Moms by Kristi Clover
- Primary Arts of Language
- The Ultimate Homeschool Organization eCourse by Kristi Clover
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Fix It! Grammar
- The Phonetic Zoo
- Kristi's Facebook Page
- Kristi's YouTube Channel
DISCOUNT CODE:
Enter coupon code IEW30 during checkout to get $30 off The Ultimate Homeschool Organization eCourse by Kristi Clover. Hurry! The offer ends December 31.
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
Continuing last week's conversation, Andrew and Julie wrap up by discussing the last two things on Andrew's list of the best things he did as a homeschool dad: teaching classes and taking over the education of a particular child. While the things on Andrew's list may not be practical for all family settings, learn how Andrew's involvement in his children's education helped improve their learning and the family culture.
GO TO: PART 1
Referenced Materials:
- Andrew's Engagements
- Math-U-See
- Memoria Press
- The One-Life Solution by Henry Cloud
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk about the purpose and history of IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giving. They also give a hint about the gifts IEW is sharing. Join us!
Referenced Materials
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk about the purpose and history of IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giving. Listen and learn how to win a gift certificate by sharing with your friends. They also give a hint about the gifts IEW is sharing. Join us!
Referenced Materials
- Twelve Days of Christmas Giving
- Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 457
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
In this podcast Andrew and Julie provide a "sneak peek" of our gifts for the Twelve Days of Christmas Giving promotion. Tune in to learn about the various items we are giving away from audio talks to a brand new product!
Referenced Materials:
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

Go to Part 1.
In the second part of this recording from the 2026 IEW Winter Retreat, a panel of Schools Department team members join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker to continue discussing tips and tricks for avoiding the four deadly errors in the classroom. They end with a conversation about AI in the classroom.
Referenced Materials
- IEW Winter Retreat recording on YouTube
- Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing by Andrew Pudewa
Audio talk
Article - Transcript of Podcast Episode 527
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
With the school year closing and the sun coming out, teachers and students alike enjoy the nice summer break. However, with the cumulative subjects such as music, language, and math, a break is just the thing that allows students to forget all the memorization they had worked so diligently on throughout the year. Join us as Andrew and Julie encourage you to set a little time aside during the summer to continue building that repertoire of mastery in your students.
Referenced Materials:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Student Writing Intensive (Discontinued)
- The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing
- Online Classes
- Fix It! Grammar
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
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 Wilson
- "Copywork, Narration, and Dictation"
- Structure and Style® for Students
- "Nurturing Success: Serving Schools of Every Kind"
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.

Every tenth episode features questions submitted to Andrew Pudewa by our podcast listeners. Julie Walker begins this podcast by asking Andrew to tackle a question regarding the emerging AI chat technology and its effects on writing. Listen in as Andrew and Julie continue with a question about using IEW while learning English and living in a non-English-speaking country. Finally, they wrap up this week’s discussion with questions pertaining to grading and editing as well as realistic expectations for a student’s final draft.
Referenced Materials
- Episode 376: A Necessary Conversation about Artificial Intelligence
- NCFCA Christian Speech & Debate League
- Structure and Style for Students
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Introduction to Public Speaking
- Learning Differences? IEW can help!
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Paper and Pen audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- 400th Episode Arts of Language Podcast Live Event
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 390
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Being great admirers of her and her work, Andrew and Julie are honored to welcome author and public speaker Dr. Carol Swain to the podcast. To start off, Dr. Swain shares her backstory and variety of credentials. Be inspired by Dr. Swain's incredible journey of hard work in becoming a great communicator, and listen to her message to parents on education and raising great thinkers.
REFERENCED MATERIALS
- A Visit with Dr. Carol Swain †
- Dr. Carol Swain
- The Candace Owens Show with Carol Swain
- Schoolhouse Rocked
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
- "Conversations with Dr. Carol Swain"
- Black Eye for America: How Critical Race Theory Is Burning Down the House by Dr. Swain and Dr. Christopher J. Schorr
- Be the People News
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
† Contains distinctly Christian content
This is the twentieth episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on December 29, 2015, as Episode 23.
To ban or not to ban, this is the question. Conversations in the academic world have raised questions about the benefits of banning certain words from a student's writing, as IEW requires. Join Andrew and Julie as they unpack the idea of banning words and discuss its value as it helps establish a student's linguistic foundation.
Referenced Materials:
- "‘Use More Expressive Words!’ Teachers Bark, Beseech, Implore" by James R. Hagerty
- "'Teachers! Please Do Not Make Your Students Use Synonyms for Said,' I Blurted" by Gabriel Roth
- Maria Montessori
- A Word Write Now
- "Process versus Product"
- "Good Writing vs. Great Teaching"
- Penrod by Booth Tarkington
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

Have you committed one of these four errors in your teaching? Overcorrecting, holding back help, unclear assignments, and over-expectation can frustrate your students and hamper your best efforts. Andrew Pudewa refers to these as the “Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing.” Join the Arts of Language podcast as Andrew and Julie Walker discuss these errors along with practical ways to overcome them.
Referenced Materials
- "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
- "The Art and Science of Motivation" by Andrew Pudewa
- Principles of Motivation and Skills Development audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Episode 333: Letter to the Editor
- Episode 293: Process versus Product
- Structure and Style for Students
- Structure and Style for Students: Year 2 Level B
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 359
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
In November of 2019 IEW released the best thing it has ever done: Structure and Style for Students. Join in on this week's conversation as Andrew and Julie go into the making of the product, and stay tuned to hear the duo's discussion on how it's easy to use, enjoyable, and affordable!
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- IEW's Twenty-Fifth Birthday Bash
- Structure and Style for Students
- SSS1 Credits
- Jill Pike
- Michelle Robinson
- Magalog
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

In Part 3 of the 500th episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker reflect on the deeper purpose of the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). They emphasize the accessibility of IEW’s materials and share stories from parents and students illustrating the transformative effects of IEW programs for both homeschoolers and full-time schools. Wrapping up, they reinforce the central idea that IEW is ultimately about teaching students to read, write, speak, and think well—prompting the ongoing question: “What are we really doing here?”
Referenced Materials
- Portable Walls™ for Structure and Style® Students
- IEW Premium Membership
- Checklist Generator™
- Fix It!® Grammar
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Adventures in Writing
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS)
- IEW Online Instructors
- IEW Brand Ambassador Program
- Contact IEW Customer Support
- Chef JoJo Recipe App
- Arts of Language Podcast
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 500 Part 3
500th Episode Giveaway: Receive a free Portable Walls for Structure and Style Students with coupon code E500-PWSS (for the first 500 customers).
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
When teaching Structure and Style for Students, Andrew had each student hire an editor and deliver a letter that he had written to him or her. After all, every good writer has an editor. Andrew and Julie read the letter and discuss the role that editors play in helping students bring their finest pieces to publication. Andrew cautions against overcorrecting and instead recommends that editors focus on ensuring that the composition or essay is "legal."

Referenced Materials:
- "Letter to the Editor: Podcast Episode 333"
- Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Structure and Style Overview
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Letter to the Editor
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 333
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.

With the end of the school year comes new opportunities to spend time outside. Listen to this week’s episode as Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss furnishing the mind with time spent outdoors. We all know that spending time outside is good for children. How might spending time outside also improve students’ writing skills?
Referenced Materials
- Episode 248: Nature Deficit Disorder, Part 1
- Nature Deficit Disorder audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
- Until the Streetlights Come On by Ginny Yurich
- 1000 Hours Outside
- Wonders of Science Writing Lessons
- Read Aloud Revival Nature Study booklist and activity guide
- Podcast studio pictures
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 428

If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

In this week’s episode Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker encourage parents and teachers to take time over the summer to hone their craft of teaching, focusing on The Great TWSS Adventure. Evan Smith, IEW Accreditation Specialist, shares more about this opportunity to work through Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® during the same time frame when others all over the globe are doing the same thing.
Referenced Materials
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®
- Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw®
- “Sharpen Your Saw with IEW Events and Resources”
- Nurturing Competent Communicators audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Virtual Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- The Great TWSS Adventure
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style for Students
- Seminar Workbook
- Premium Membership
- Instructor Accreditation
- IEW YouTube channel
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 426
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
In honor of Independence Day, IEW is offering free shipping on all standard domestic shipping from July 1–10. Join us as Andrew and Julie talk about the history of "freedomship" and the importance of educated leaders.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Freedomship 2018
- A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille (Amazon Affiliate)
- Rhetoric by Aristotle (Amazon Affiliate)
- Adam and Missy Andrews
- Teaching the Classics by Adam and Missy Andrews
- Animal Farm by George Orwell (Amazon Affiliate)
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass (Amazon Affiliate)
- "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" speech by Frederick Douglass
- Click here to listen to Andrew Pudewa reciting an excerpt of Frederick Douglass' speech "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?".
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization by Andrew Pudewa
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
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 B. Wesbter
- Dr. James B. Webster
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning by Anna Ingham
- Anna Ingham
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- The Great TWSS Adventure
- IEW's Schools Division
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Magalog
- "Special needs? IEW can help!"
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.
Join Andrew Pudewa as he shares some salient points on this important topic and answers your questions on writing, thinking, and speaking.
Many children (and some adults) have difficulty learning to spell, but the difficulty may not be with the student so much as with the method of presentation. Find out in this workshop how spelling information is most efficiently stored in the brain, and why. Parents and teachers, be well-equipped to meet the needs of all your children, not just the naturally good spellers. Bonus content: Learn best practices for using IEW’s Phonetic Zoo, our award-winning independent study spelling program!
Go to Part 2
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Spelling and the Brain webinar.
- Webinar Archive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- High School Essay Intensive [Discontinued]
- Classroom Posters
- Mini Posters
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Writing Source Packet
- Spelling and the Brain
- The Phonetic Zoo
- Anna Ingham
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

Happy Thanksgiving! In this episode Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the power of gratitude. Andrew reads a letter from a student expressing his gratitude for the writing courses. In sharing things they are grateful for, Andrew and Julie encourage listeners to see how simply expressing thanks can change your perspective.
Referenced Materials
- Structure and Style® for Students
- “You Don’t Have to Like It” article by Andrew Pudewa
- Principles of Motivation audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 452
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
In this fast-paced episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker chat with Ben Greenfield, who was in one of Andrew’s first writing classes. The discussion covers an array of topics, from health and wellness to parenting to homeschooling and family life. As the author of the Boundless series, Ben exudes boundless energy and excitement for life.
Referenced Materials
- Ben Greenfield Life website
- Ben Greenfield's books
- Whole Stix
- Episode 364: Health and Wellness with Katie Wells
- Ben’s sons’ card game
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 525
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

In this week’s episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker give practical suggestions for keeping your students actively involved in learning. Encouraging discussions, allowing time for students to ask questions, and using props in the classroom are some of the ideas they share that can be applied to any teaching situation—from a homeschool to a classroom to music lessons. Be encouraged as the school year begins.
Referenced Materials
- Association for Talent Development
- Nurturing Competent Communicators audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- “In Retrospect: Heroes of Providence” article by Andrew Pudewa
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 439

Andrew Pudewa at age 23, working with Dr. Suzuki
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
While Andrew is away, Julie interviews the man behind the curtain: Mikael Walker. Mikael is one of our audio/video specialists here at IEW. Tune in to this episode to learn about what Mikael's job entails, how he became interested in the field, and even how the Structure and Style methodology helps him with his job. Listen to hear what product Mikael is giving away!
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Mikael Walker
- Structure and Style for Students®
- Cameron Covey
- "Where are they now? Mikael Walker: Video Editor Extraordinaire"
- Department of Wizardry Podcast
- Click here to enter the Structure and Style for Students Year 1 Level A giveaway (drawing ended).
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
Join Andrew Pudewa as he shares some salient points on this important topic and answers your questions on writing, thinking, and speaking.
Many children (and some adults) have difficulty learning to spell, but the difficulty may not be with the student so much as with the method of presentation. Find out in this workshop how spelling information is most efficiently stored in the brain, and why. Parents and teachers, be well-equipped to meet the needs of all your children, not just the naturally good spellers. Bonus content: Learn best practices for using IEW’s Phonetic Zoo, our award-winning independent study spelling program!
Go to Part 1
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Spelling and the Brain webinar.
- Webinar Archive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- High School Essay Intensive
- Classroom Poster
- Mini posters
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Writing Source Packet
- Spelling and the Brain
- The Phonetic Zoo
- IEW's Founders and History
- English from the Roots Up by Joegil K Lundquist
- Rummy Roots Card Game
- Memoria Press
- Akeelah and The Bee Movie
- Spell Bound Movie
- The Phonetic Zoo Placement Test
- Advanced Spelling & Vocabulary by James B. Webster, Ph.D., Andrew Pudewa, & Maria Gerber
- Primary Arts of Language
- Primary Arts of Language: Phonetic Farm by Jill Pike and Anna Ingham, C.M.
- Sound City Audiotalk by Shirley George
- E-Newsletters Archive
- Magnum Opus
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
With a rise of questions regarding English language learners, Andrew and Julie decide to hone in on the topic in a two-part series. In part one Andrew reflects on stories of when he was learning a foreign language and emphasizes the importance of creating the right listening and speaking environment for English language learners. Be inspired as Andrew echoes Suzuki's wise words: "Every child can learn."
Go to Part 2
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "IEW and the English Language Learner, Part 1"
- "Pen and Paper"
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- "Nurturing Competent Communicators"
- "Homework! Oh, Homework!" by Jack Prelutsky
- IEW's YouTube Channel
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
This is the fifth episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on February 14, 2018, as Episode 128.
With all the distractions and busy schedules, it can be challenging to sit down and read some of your favorite books to your kids. In this podcast Andrew and Julie welcome author and podcaster Sarah Mackenzie to discuss reading aloud. Get a sneak peak of Sarah's new book, The Read Aloud Family, and learn the importance of prioritizing reading to your children.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Episode 199: A Special Announcement
- Read-Aloud Revival
- Read-Aloud Revival Podcast
- The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
- Sarah's Podcast with Andrew Pudewa
- Nurturing Competent Communicators audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
- Sarah's Podcast with Katherine Paterson
- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Giver by Lois Lowry (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (Amazon Affiliate)
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (Amazon Affiliate)
- Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo (Amazon Affiliate)
- Purgatorio by Dante (Amazon Affiliate)
- Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Fable of George Washington and the Cherry Tree
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood (Amazon Affiliate)
- Matilda by Roald Dahl (Amazon Affiliate)
- Sarah's Podcast with Jonathan Rogers
- The Way of the Wilderking by Jonathan Rogers (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (Amazon Affiliate)
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
As you near the end of the school year, get the information and motivation you need to finish strong with Unit 9: Formal Critique. In this two-part webinar recording, Andrew takes you through Unit 9, discusses its purpose, and explains the power of the critique thesaurus.
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Unit 9 webinar.
- Webinar Archive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Wizard of Oz
- Teaching the Classics by Adam Andrews and Missy Andrews
- Student Writing Intensive Level B [Discontinued: Replaced with Structure and Style for Students]
- However Imperfectly
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
- Writing Contests
- IEW's YouTube Channel
- Blog
- Forums
- Newsletters
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- WORLD magazine
- Touchstone magazine
- Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
QUESTIONS ASKED:
11:36 - Melissa asks, "First year IEW users and my 8th grader is doing SWI- B and EIL's English I both this year. At this section in Unit 9, should I pick and choose assignments or still try to do all of both?"
12:41 - Bonnie asks, “How do we encourage dyslexics to really read the material deeply for meaningful critique after struggling to understand the complexities of the text?”
16:44 - Joanne asks, "Can you please give some ways that Unit 9 is used in real life?"
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
Have you ever wondered where it all began? Tune into this twenty-fifth birthday celebration recording where Andrew takes you through the history of IEW and expresses his gratitude toward the people that helped him along his journey.
GO TO PART 2
Referenced Materials:
- Andrew Pudewa
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Anna Ingham
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- The Phonetic Zoo
- Janet Spitler
- Julie Walker
- Bible-Based Writing Lessons
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Jill Pike
- Peter Buscemi
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Cameron Covey
- Classical Conversations
- Leigh Bortins
- Laura House
- Danielle Olander
- Jan Miller
- The Old Schoolhouse®
- Practical Homeschooling Reader Awards
- Lori Verstegen
- U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons
- Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
- World History-Based Writing Lessons
- Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons
- Advanced U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons
- All Things Fun & Fascinating
- High School Essay Intensive
- The Elegant Essay
- How to Write a Story by Lee Roddy
- Pamela White
- Fix It! Grammar
- A Word Write Now by Loranna Schwacofer
- CenterForLit
- Teaching the Classics by Adam and Missy Andrews
- Linda Mikottis
- Magalog
- Andrew Kern
- Circe Institute
- The Two Andrews: On Writing and Teaching Writing
- Martin Cothran
- "Laelius de Amicitia" by Cicero
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

A wide array of learning differences exists. While we often focus on those differences, such as dyslexia or ADHD, which cause our students to work below their grade levels, students who fall into the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) category may also struggle in the classroom. In this week’s podcast Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker look at definitions, myths, challenges, and strategies for teachers with gifted students.
Referenced Materials
- Learning Differences? IEW can help!
- Council for Exceptional Children
- "Myths about Gifted Students"
- National Association for Gifted Children
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- Structure and Style for Students
- Anna Ingham
- Dr. James B. Webster
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning by Anna Ingham
- Mastery Learning, Ability Development, and Individualized Education audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- "Types of Problems Gifted Children Face"
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Premium Membership
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 379
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to Podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Can listening skills be cultivated? This week Andrew and Julie begin the series on the four language arts. Listen to Andrew provide suggestions for nurturing attentive listening, and learn its powerful result: the building of the language database.
GO TO: PART 2
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Four Language Arts"
- The Restoration of Christian Culture by John Senior
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
- The Story about Ping by Marjorie Flack
- Read-Aloud Revival
- The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
Andrew and Julie discuss the most concrete of the language arts: writing. Learn how writing can be cultivated before your student even begins to put words to paper, and gain some insight on the tremendous value of copy work as it builds fluency and stamina.
GO TO: PART 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Four Language Arts"
- Simply Charlotte Mason
- Episode 188: Why Teach Cursive Writing?
- "The Science and Art of Motivation"
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
- The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
Building on the previous two episodes, Andrew and Julie now turn to the third language art: reading. In this episode Andrew discusses the importance of developing an auditory database, while emphasizing the value of reading aloud, especially when your student is beginning to read independently.
GO TO: PART 1 | Part 2
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Four Language Arts"
- Anna Ingham
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Read-Aloud Revival
- The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Maria Montessori
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
- Timeline of Classics by Gail Ledbetter
- Structure and Style for Students
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
Continuing the discussion on grammar, Andrew and Julie steer the conversation towards our program Fix It! Grammar. Join us as the duo explains the approach of the program, and even learn what Andrew suggests after you've completed Book 6! Maybe after Fix-It! Grammar, you'll be able to paraphrase the first sentence of the Declaration of Independence.
GO TO PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "The Great Grammar Give and Take"
- But, but, but ... What about Grammar?
- Enough about Grammar by Joe Floren
- Fix It! Grammar
- Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle by Jane Bell Kiester
- Ten Thousand Times and Then Begins Understanding by Andrew Pudewa
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker continue to discuss how to prepare students for college and life beyond college. Julie describes ways to improve productivity and retain more of what students are learning. Listen to find out about work islands and Julie’s Dr Pepper email checker.
GO TO PART 1
Referenced Materials
- The One-Life Solution by Dr. Henry Cloud
- Getting Things Done by David Allen
- Memory Mentor™ app
- University-Ready Writing
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 438
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

Go to Part 2.
In this recording from the 2026 IEW Winter Retreat, a panel of Schools Department team members join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker to discuss tips and tricks for avoiding the four deadly errors in the classroom. They give classroom-tested strategies for using IEW tools to make writing accessible and enjoyable for every student.
Referenced Materials
- “Process versus Product” by Andrew Pudewa
- “Imitation: A Common-Sense Approach” by Andrew Pudewa
- However Imperfectly: Lessons Learned from Thirty Years of Teaching by Andrew Pudewa
Article
Book - Premium Membership
- “The Power of the Checklist”
- “The IEW Checklist Generator: Making EZ+1 Easy!”
- Writing Across the Curriculum
- From Copywork to Composition audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 526
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
This is the sixteenth episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on October 24, 2016, as Episode 66.
To finish up their conversation on special needs, Andrew and Julie talk about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In this episode Andrew and Julie examine some of the challenges of ADHD and provide suggestions for both language development and everyday home life. Be encouraged as Andrew emphasizes the value of IEW's Structure and Style® method because it allows your student to feel successful by breaking the overwhelmingly complex writing task into small manageable steps.
Referenced Materials:
- The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald D. Davis
- "General Prevalence of ADHD"
- Dr. Leonard Sax
- Dr. Sax's Books
- "Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day" by Andrew Pudewa
- "4 Reasons You Should Buy a Standup Desk—Right Now" by Michael Hyatt
- "Nature Deficit Disorder"
- Retrain the Brain by Jeanette Farmer
- Why Teach Cursive Writing?
- "Special needs? IEW can help!" by Jill Pike
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

As the days cool down with the autumn season, it is a great time to explore the outdoors. Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker focus this week's podcast on the importance for children to spend time in the natural world. Recounting stories from his childhood, Andrew shares the powerful impact that nature has had on his life. He discusses modern impediments to spending time in nature and offers practical ways families can prioritize exposure to the natural environment.
Referenced Materials
- Nature Deficit Disorder audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
- Children & Nature Network
- Fairy Tales and the Moral Imagination audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Bud & Me by Alta Abernathy
- Little Britches by Ralph Moody
- Paper and Pen audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- 1000 Hours Outside™
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 348
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

In this week’s podcast Julie Walker asks Andrew Pudewa how imitation applies to teaching writing along with other questions about his talk From Copywork to Composition. Imitation is the cornerstone of excellent writing. Just as no music teacher hands a new student a blank sheet of manuscript paper and expects an original composition, writing instructors should not expect students to write without a model to imitate when they are first learning.
Referenced Materials
- “Imitation: A Common-Sense Approach” by Andrew Pudewa
- "One Myth and Two Truths” by Andrew Pudewa
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style for Students
- “Cooking with Structure and Style”
- From Copywork to Composition audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 391
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
As the end of the school year approaches, it can be challenging to stay motivated to energetically finish out the semester. If you're like many teachers and parents, you're experiencing burnout. In this episode Andrew and Julie offer encouragement and share seven strategies to help manage burnout so that you can end the year on a good note!

Referenced Materials:
- "Managing Burnout"
- Ben Greenfield Life
- Huberman Lab Podcast
- "The Seven Keys of Great Teaching" by Oliver and Rachel DeMille
- Victus Study Skills System by Susan Ison
- Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker open the mailbag (or the email inbox) and read letters IEW has received from students, parents, and teachers. Listen to this episode to find out how IEW has assisted refugee students, how teachers are incorporating IEW into their classrooms, and how IEW assists students long after they have completed high school. Often students send Andrew samples of their work, and he shares some excerpts in this podcast.
Referenced Materials
- Bible Heroes
- Structure and Style® for Students: Year 1 Level A
- Fix It!® Grammar
- IEW Schools Department
- IEW Schools Educational Consultants
- Structure and Style for Students
- Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level C
- IEW® Gradebook
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Poetic Power Poetry Contest
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization free lessons
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 472
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

January is National Mentoring Month. In this episode Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss what makes a good mentor and some mentors that they have had. Listen in as they talk about memorable experiences with mentors. Dr. Webster, Andrew’s mentor, encouraged students to mentor one another. How does that work? Does a mentor have to be older than you? This month is a perfect time to consider these questions and perhaps begin a mentoring relationship yourself.
Referenced Materials
- Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
- Glenn Doman
- Dr. James B. Webster
- The Odyssey by Homer
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 409
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

More than a podcast episode, this interview is a chance to listen to two friends share the story of how they met and the impact each has had on the other. Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk with Adam Andrews about the history of the Teaching the Classics course and CenterForLit as well as the importance of using Socratic questioning to listen to and learn from authors as they speak through their writing.
Referenced Materials
- Teaching the Classics
- CenterForLit
- Ready Readers
- Pelican Society
- “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” by Rudyard Kipling
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- BiblioFiles
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 413
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
This week, Andrew and Julie welcome acknowledged experts on dyslexia, Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide, authors of The Dyslexic Advantage. Bringing in their expertise and research, the Eides share how they got into the field, describe what dyslexia is, and provide incredible insight about capitalizing on dyslexic students' strengths.
GO TO PART 2
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "An Interview with Doctors Brock and Fernette Eide, Part 1"
- Brock and Fernette Eide, M.D.
- The Dyslexic Advantage
- NeuroLearning
- Living with Dyslexia—An Interview with Chris Pudewa
- Karina Eide Young Writers Awards
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
This is the last episode in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on December 12, 2018, as Episode 169.
As they finish up their conversation on movies, Andrew and Julie head into a different direction: the book versus the movie. Join us to hear Andrew and Julie compare certain movies with the book that inspired the movie and listen to both of their takes on if you should read the book before watching the movie.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria A. Trapp
- The Sound of Music
- The Wizard of Oz
- Fantasia
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- Lawrence of Arabia
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
- The Scarlet Pimpernel
- Pride and Prejudice
- Hamlet by William Shakespeare
- The Scarlet and the Black
- The Vatican Pimpernel by Brian Fleming
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
- "Nurturing Competent Communicators" by Andrew Pudewa
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein
- The Princess Bride
- Anna Karenina
- Les Misérables
- Jane Eyre
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

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.
Referenced Materials
- The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child by Ron Clark
- The Ron Clark Story
- Humor in Teaching and Speaking audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Episode 312: Learning about Laughter
- "Give 'Em the Pickle by Bob Farrell – Customer Service Training"
- Dr. James B. Webster
- 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 397
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Should writing be confined to a single subject? Andrew and Julie address the question by discussing writing across the curriculum. Whether it be learning about history or studying science, learn how the incorporation of writing across multiple subjects allows for students to be more engaged with the content they're learning and gives them the opportunity for the application of their skills in a variety of ways.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Anna Ingham
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning
- Structure and Style for Students®
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
As they finish up their conversation on movies, Andrew and Julie head into a different direction: the book versus the movie. Join us to hear Andrew and Julie compare certain movies with the book that inspired the movie and listen to both of their takes on if you should read the book before watching the movie.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria A. Trapp
- The Sound of Music
- The Wizard of Oz
- Fantasia
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- Lawrence of Arabia
- A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens
- The Scarlet Pimpernel
- Pride and Prejudice
- Hamlet by William Shakespeare
- The Scarlet and the Black
- The Vatican Pimpernel by Brian Fleming
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
- "Nurturing Competent Communicators" audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein
- The Princess Bride
- Jane Eyre
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
- Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
- Les Misérables
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
Join us this week as Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide continue to share their expertise on dyslexia. With insight and clarity, the Eides discuss how IEW helps break down the task of writing for dyslexic students, emphasize the importance of not withholding help, and offer words of wisdom on keeping your students encouraged and confident in their strengths.
GO TO PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "An Interview with Doctors Brock and Fernette Eide, Part 2"
- Brock and Fernette Eide, M.D.
- The Mislabeled Child by Dr. Brock Eide
- The Dyslexic Advantage
- NeuroLearning
- Homeschooling for Dyslexia Online Course
- Dyslexia for Teachers Online Course
- Karina Eide Memorial College Scholarships
- Ingenuity STEM Steam Awards
- Dyslexic Advantage Newsletter
- Donate to Dyslexic Advantage
- Living with Dyslexia—An Interview with Chris Pudewa
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker highlight the IEW Checklist Generator™ that allows teachers and teaching parents to customize their students’ checklists and to provide clear and reasonable expectations for assignments. They also discuss the intangible benefits of using the checklist, such as helping students organize their work and learn responsibility to “do what you check and check what you do.”
Referenced Materials
- Episode 516: The Power of the Checklist
- Portable Walls™ for Structure and Style® Students
- A Word Write Now
- IEW Writing Toolbox app
- The IEW Checklist Generator, Making EZ+1 Easy!
- Premium Membership
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 518
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker introduce IEW’s theme for 2026: Laying the Foundation. They answer the questions: What are the basics? How does IEW help students get back to the basics of learning? They talk about the simple, timeless, and elegant ways that IEW helps students cultivate attentiveness, memory, and ideas. Listen to the end to hear Julie make a special announcement.
Referenced Materials
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- IEW Homeschool Magalog
- IEW Schools Magalog
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 511
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
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 MATERIALS:
- Structure and Style for Students
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- IEW's 2021 Writing Conference
- IEW's School Site
- Fix It! Grammar
- Episode 280: Ask Andrew Anything
- Beth O'Connor
- The Phonetic Zoo
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

In the first episode of a two-part series, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker share strategies for the skills needed to succeed in college and in life after college. Julie outlines a plan and provides resources for students to prepare for their future.
GO TO PART 2
Referenced Materials
- “Most Colleges Enroll Many Students Who Aren’t Prepared for Higher Education”
- University-Ready Writing
- “Do Two Parents Matter More Than Ever?”
- “Do High School Courses Prepare Kids for College?”
- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
- Hero on a Mission by Donald Miller
- Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 437
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Picking up from last week's podcast, Andrew continues to move through the history of IEW. Stay tuned for the ending where IEW celebrates the future with our new product: Structure and Style® for Students.
GO TO PART 1
Referenced Materials:
- IEW's Twenty-Fifth Birthday Bash
- Julie Walker
- David Walker
- Maria Gerber
- Tim Lawless
- The HomeScholar
- Heidi St. John
- Read-Aloud Revival
- "Nurturing Competent Communicators" by Andrew Pudewa
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- Mikael Walker
- Nathan King
- Sean Schmidgall
- Your Morning Basket
- Teaching Boys & Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day
- Kristi Clover
- The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association
- Kim Cromer
- The NCFCA Comprehensive Guide to Value Debate
- The NCFCA Comprehensive Guide to Policy Debate
- The NCFCA Comprehensive Guide to Speech
- Mark Landon
- Justin Holmes
- Ellie Diaz
- Victus Study Skills
- Correctional Education Association
- "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
- Structure and Style® for Students
- IEW Upgrade(s)
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
This week Andrew and Julie are honored to welcome Marie Greenhalgh, the homeschooling mom of an autistic student. After pulling her child out of school, Marie discovered IEW and its methodical step-by-step process. In this episode Marie describes how IEW has helped her student learn, shares her own tips for success, and discusses the importance of not withholding help.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Special Needs? IEW can help!"
- SPED: Struggles and Suggestions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- The Four Language Arts
- Primary Arts of Language
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning by Anna Ingham
- Anna Ingham
- Fix It! Grammar
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Student Writing Intensive (Discontinued)
- Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales Writing Lessons by Maria Gerber
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization by Andrew Pudewa
- Temple Grandin
- "Process versus Product" by Andrew Pudewa
- Marie's letter to IEW
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
For this Homeschool 101 episode, Andrew and Julie welcome Brandy Ferrell to the mic. Brandy is a homeschool mom of four, an IEW affiliate, and the founder of Half-a-Hundred Acre Wood. In the episode Brandy shares her story of homeschooling, talks about her experience with IEW materials, and speaks on the curriculum and resources she offers to other homeschoolers. 
Referenced Materials:
- IEW’s 2022 Summer Conference [Live and Online]
- The Joys of Boys
- Teaching Boys & Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day audio talk
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- Script-n-Scribe Handwriting
- Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
- A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot
- God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew, John Sherrill, and Elizabeth Sherrill
- Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime by Janet Benge
- Richard Wurmbrand: Love Your Enemies by Janet and Geoff Benge
- Sabina Movie
- Tortured for Christ Movie
- Eric Liddell: Something Greater than Gold by Janet and Geoff Benge
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Windows to the World by Lesha Myers
- Mission: Faith Forgers Homeschool Curriculum
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com.
† Contains distinctly Christian content

This week’s episode is about preventing summer evaporation! Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they discuss ideas for summer learning that won’t lead to long faces and complaints. From state history field trips to scavenger hunts, IEW’s customer service team gave Julie a host of ideas for a summer of fun and learning.
Referenced Materials
- 1000 Hours Outside blog
- Episode 367: 1000 Hours Outside – A Conversation with Ginny Yurich
- Episode 323: Preventing Evaporation – Strategies for Summer Writing
- Episode 373: Summer Writing Ideas
- Read Aloud Revival
- Camp BOOK IT! Summer Program
- Principles of Motivation audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 425
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker give a quick overview of how to start with IEW before diving into the question of how long students should use IEW courses. Students sometimes complain that they are doing the same thing over and over again. Learn why Andrew recommends the repetition of the Structure and Style syllabus over multiple years and whether students will ever graduate from the checklist.
Referenced Materials
- How to Get Started with IEW
- IEW Homeschool Magalog
- IEW Pathway
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style for Students
- Bleak House by Charles Dickens
- “Celebrate the Checklist”
- Introduction to Public Speaking
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- University-Ready Writing
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 417
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

April is National Poetry Month. In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the history of Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization, one of Andrew’s favorite projects. Listen as they talk about how this course works and share some stories we have received from students and adults who have found joy in memorizing poetry. As Andrew says at the end, “Memorizing poetry enriches not just the intellect but also the soul.”
Referenced Materials
- Nurturing Competent Communicators audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- By Heart: The Goodness of Memory audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization free lessons
- Memory Mentor™
- Transcript for Podcast Episode 473
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the IEW® 100% satisfaction guarantee and how the return policy works. Learn why Andrew established this policy and why IEW does not ever discount materials.
Referenced Materials
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Join us as Andrew and Julie interview Kaitlyn Butts, NCFCA's national speech champion.In this podcast, Kaitlyn shares her experience in the league, gives suggestions for those beginning NCFCA, and shows how her skills she has acquired from speech and debate has helped her in other areas of life.
Referenced Materials:
- National Christian Forensics and Communications Association
- Podcast 69: Interview with Teresa Hudson, Former NCFCA President
- Kaitlyn's Website
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

While our Homeschool 101 episodes are generally curated for people who are new to or are considering homeschooling, this episode offers wisdom for anyone who is impacting young lives, including teachers, grandparents, siblings, as well as parents. During this episode Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker explore what this wisdom entails. Andrew outlines two powerful measures to take to help students furnish their minds and cultivate their writing skills.
REFERENCED MATERIALS
- Cultivating Language Arts – Preschool through High School
- Structure and Style for Students
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Fix It! Grammar
- "One Myth and Two Truths" by Andrew Pudewa
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- "Scintillate, Scintillate"
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 395
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
With all the distractions and busy schedules, it can be challenging to sit down and read some of your favorite books to your kids. In this podcast Andrew and Julie welcome author and podcaster Sarah Mackenzie to discuss reading aloud. Get a sneak peak of Sarah's new book, The Read Aloud Family, and learn the importance of prioritizing reading to your children.
Referenced Materials:
- Read-Aloud Revival
- Read-Aloud Revival Podcast
- The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
- Sarah's Podcast with Andrew Pudewa
- Nurturing Competent Communicators audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
- Sarah's Podcast with Katherine Paterson
- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Giver by Lois Lowry (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (Amazon Affiliate)
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (Amazon Affiliate)
- Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo (Amazon Affiliate)
- Purgatorio by Dante (Amazon Affiliate)
- Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Fable of George Washington and the Cherry Tree
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood (Amazon Affiliate)
- Matilda by Roald Dahl (Amazon Affiliate)
- Sarah's Podcast with Jonathan Rogers
- The Way of the Wilderking by Jonathan Rogers (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (Amazon Affiliate)
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

Katie Wells, founder of WellnessMama.com, joins Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker on today’s Arts of Language podcast! After facing health issues of her own during her first pregnancy, Katie was determined to find answers and share her health research with others. Katie has created a thriving community through her blog and podcast, sharing practical tips, recipes, and other information to make life better! In this episode Katie shares her best wellness advice that anyone can implement now for a healthier lifestyle.
Referenced Materials
- Katie Wells
- Wellness Mama
- Culture, Curriculum, and Care
- Wellness Mama RealPlans
- 1000 Hours Outside™
- Chef Junior
- The Wellness Mama Cookbook by Katie Wells
- The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox by Katie Wells
- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
- Wellness Mama Podcast
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 364
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
In order to help our students communicate competently, it's key to create a language-rich environment for them. This week, Andrew and Julie discuss the lost art of memorization. With stories, humor, and insight Andrew shares the importance of memorization as it builds language patterns and nurtures competent communicators.
GO TO PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Nurturing Competent Communicators"
- Nurturing Competent Communicators audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Memory Podcasts: Part 1 | Part 2
- Ability Development from Age Zero by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
- The Columbian Orator
- "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass
- The Chosen by Chaim Potok
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- IEW Book Recommendations
- Read-Aloud Revival
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com
This is the twelfth episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on January 5, 2016, as Episode 24.
Andrew and Julie open up their conversation this week by discussing the fading motivation to "do hard things" in our society. With an ever-growing need for proficient communicators, Andrew directs his attention to the importance of cultivating an environment where students strive for excellence and desire to become competent communicators and thinkers.
Referenced Materials:
- "Reaching the Reluctant Writer"
- Do Hard Things by Alex Harris
- "Nature Deficit Disorder"
- "The Strenuous Life" by Theodore Roosevelt
- Study Is Hard Work by William Howard Armstrong
- What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
- The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner
- "Soft Skills to Help Your Career Hit the Big Time" by Daniel Bortz
- The Science and Art of Motivation
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
Amidst the closing of schools nationwide, many parents are now taking on the task of educating their children at home. In this webinar recording, Andrew and Julie provide suggestions on cultivating a learning environment at home, share insights on the benefits of reading aloud, and explain the free language arts lessons IEW is offering to help families finish out the year.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original webinar recording.
- Humor in Teaching and Speaking by Andrew Pudewa
- Homeschool Help Facebook Group
- Why We Sleep by Dr. Matthew Walker
- Mastery Learning, Ability Development, and Individualized Education by Andrew Pudewa
- Khan Academy
- Nature Deficit Disorder by Andrew Pudewa
- Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv (Amazon Affiliate Link)
- "The Four Language Arts"
- Anna Ingham
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Read-Aloud Revival
- "Surprised by Homeschooling" by Jennifer Mauser
- Free Language Arts Lessons from IEW
- "The Vulture" by Hilaire Belloc
- "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll
- Marco Polo
- Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Toy Story
- The Jungle Book
- Beauty and the Beast
- Swiss Family Robinson
- Akeelah and the Bee
- Dead Poets Society
- The Scarlet and the Black
- The Sound of Music
- The Greatest Showman
- The Princess Bride
- The Scarlet Pimpernel
- Secondhand Lions
- Little Women
- The Indian in the Cupboard
- National Velvet
- Sergeant York
- Joe Versus the Volcano
- CenterForLit
- Homeschool Basics: How to Get Started, Keep Motivated, and Bring Out the Best in Your Kids by Tricia Goyer and Kristi Clover
- Enter drawing here
- Classical Conferences
- IEW Magalog
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the prompts for the annual IEW Writing Contest. Listen to this episode to learn why does IEW have a writing contest, what the value of entering a writing contest is for students, and how a writing contest fits into the types of motivation. Andrew breaks down the prompts and talks about how a writer might approach this essay.
Referenced Materials
- IEW Writing Contest
- Other Writing Contests
- “The Benefits of Entering Writing Contests”
- Principles of Motivation audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 521
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Last week, Andrew and Julie addressed the challenge of reaching reluctant writers and discussed the importance of separating complexity for these students. In this episode, Andrew and Julie finish the conversation by turning to the power of the checklist. Tune in as the duo discusses the benefits of using the stylistic techniques, and learn how the checklist provides direction, which allows the students to write with confidence.
GO TO PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Writing without Tears"
- Reaching the Reluctant Writer
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- Nurturing Competent Communicators
- A Word Write Now
- Structure and Style for Students
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have any questions about IEW or our products, do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team at 800.856.5815 or Info@IEW.com

Motivated by a desire to set teachers up for success, Denise Kelley, IEW Manager of Product Development, works tirelessly to ensure all IEW products and services are aligned with the company’s cornerstone product, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style. Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they discuss with Denise how her over two decades of experience at IEW have shaped her philosophy of product development.
Referenced Materials
- Denise Kelley
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style for Students (SSS)
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Fix It! Grammar
- Introduction to Public Speaking
- University-Ready Writing
- IEW Online Classes
- How to Think like Shakespeare: Lessons from a Renaissance Education by Scott Newstok
- Episode 398: Think Like Shakespeare, Part 1
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 403
If you have questions for Andrew, send them to podcast@IEW.com
Perhaps your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or info@IEW.com
Is your young student ready to begin learning to read and write? Or do you have an older student who struggles with basic skills? The Institute for Excellence in Writing is pleased to bring you Primary Arts of Language (PAL), a beginning reading and writing program created by Jill Pike and based on Anna Ingham’s award-winning, 70-year legacy, The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning.
Writer’s block is the bane of many an author. What if there were a practical way to extract the creativity from your mind to create fantastic content without the overwhelming experience of the blank page? Andrew Pudewa will lead you through the process of inventive writing step-by-step, then answers questions from the audience.
“A book report? Noooo!!!” Book reports have the unfortunate reputation of being some of the most boring and overwhelming of any of the writing assignments. Fortunately, that’s because they are rarely approached in the right way. Join Andrew Pudewa as he unpacks the process and answers your questions about teaching Unit 9: Formal Critique, because when kids get to say what they love and hate about something and are equipped to do it well, writing about media is no longer a chore!
IEW will provide an update on changes within the IEW affiliate program during this webinar.
Join us for an enjoyable and important webinar as Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker shed some light on how teachers and parents can facilitate learning in the new, exclusively at-home learning environment now prevalent nationwide. Andrew and Julie will be talking about how to continue learning at home, the benefits of reading aloud, how to incorporate poetry memorization, how to implement the free lessons offered by IEW, and more.
One of the more difficult tasks for students is the arduous process of distilling large amounts of information into smaller, more easily digested summaries. Andrew Pudewa breaks down the process of summarizing bit-by-bit and shows you how to coach your students through this basic research skill with Structure and Style®. Beginning research has never been so accessible and so much fun! Andrew will lead you through the process step-by-step, then answer questions from the audience.
Enjoy an hour of refreshment as Andrew and author, speaker, and homeschool leader Heidi St. John share about the changing landscape of home education and the importance of equipping families to learn and grow together in their knowledge of scripture.
When a big job is broken down into bite-sized pieces, students and teachers alike can enjoy the journey together! Join Andrew Pudewa as he answers your questions about teaching Unit 8: Easy Essays and Beyond, IEW's process of crafting an essay. Gain an understanding of the basic structure, then prepare to unpack and explore the various essay types, their differences, and how a good structural strategy can inform written works of five, fifty, or five hundred paragraphs! Andrew will lead you through the process step-by-step, then answer questions from the audience.
Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they present the value of the new Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®, Third Edition seminar.
In this webinar, Andrew Pudewa breaks down the Story Sequence Chart and leads you in coaching your students to effectively retell narrative stories with Structure and Style®! Every paragraph has a purpose, and when your students understand what each part of a narrative does, they will be better equipped for all of their future storytelling endeavors. Andrew will lead you through the process step-by-step, then answer questions from the audience.
Have you ever noticed that students seem to learn so much more when they are having fun? Join Lori Verstegen and Laura House as they share a variety of engaging games that capture student interest while reinforcing Structure and Style. This webinar will also present numerous ideas for end-of-the-year events, submitted by teachers from around the country. Have fun and finish strong!
Are you a tutor? Join Andrew Pudewa and Jennifer Mauser for this special webinar dedicated to tutors. Do you have specific questions about how to implement IEW's Structure and Style system with your students? This is a great opportunity for you to get those questions answered. Submit them in advance at the time of registration. Enjoy spending time in the company of fellow tutors while honing your skills in teaching IEW's methodology. We look forward to seeing you there!
Have you ever wondered why Unit 5: Writing from Pictures is important? Describing pictures trains students in the art of event description, which informs their future efforts in narratives, research papers—even journalism! Learn how to put pictures into eloquent words with Structure and Style®! Andrew Pudewa will lead you through the process step-by-step, then answer questions from the audience.
Join Andrew Pudewa as he introduces you to the foundation of writing with Structure and Style: key word outlines and writing from notes. Learn how to help your students easily extract content from other sources as a key word outline and then craft those thoughts into their own finished work. Andrew will lead you through the process step-by-step, then answer questions from the audience.
Thinking about homeschooling?
Join Andrew Pudewa from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) for a homeschool webinar in celebration of National School Choice Week. (held January 23, 2023)
Andrew will give a short, encouraging presentation to homeschool families as well as families who are interested in homeschooling. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
What if putting together large research papers were easy, accessible, and even enjoyable? Join Andrew Pudewa as he unpacks Unit 6, IEW’s research module, walking you through the process and purpose of making fused outlines from summarized references, as well as offering tips for teaching the skill to your students. Additionally Andrew will lead you through a practical assignment for maximum understanding.
Why is IEW a good fit for students with learning differences? Join Andrew Pudewa for this special webinar and learn how the Structure and Style method equips students of all ages and aptitudes. Whether you teach students impacted by dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, autism, or another learning difference, this webinar will encourage you, inspire you, and help you teach with confidence. Students with learning differences can become confident and competent communicators and thinkers!
Have you heard the buzz about IEW’s Structure and Style for Students? Are you wondering what it’s all about?
Are your students enrolled in a school that presents information and ideas contrary to your personal values? Have you thought that maybe homeschooling is the only viable alternative, but you can’t imagine how you could do it?
IEW’s Fix It!® Grammar has become wildly popular because it does what traditional grammar programs rarely do: it makes grammar stick.
We will have a drawing to see which lucky attendee will win a $29 IEW gift certificate to purchase one level of Fix It! Grammar!
Response from author Janice Campbell:
The new edition has a new chapter on how to write an essay, plus a pacing chart (a birds-eye view of what to do in each module), and a clearer, more detailed table of contents. The E1 level has a few new resources, and as in every edition, I've worked to make everything clearer. All the links in each level have been checked and updated (most are the same).
If you already have the second edition, it is still useful, and you don't need to update unless you want to. Just remember that many of the context resources are being moved to our website at http://excellence-in-literature.com, so if you encounter a link that does not work, check there first. If it's not there, try searching via Google or other search engine. A few items completely disappeared due to the retirement of the professors who authored them, and in that case other resources were substituted.
It's called "The Spelling Concerto" and was written by Dean Anderson.
The version on The Phonetic Zoo (PZ) was performed entirely with a keyboard and a Macintosh computer.
Listen to the full version here: The Spelling Concerto (Running time: 3 minutes)
The version on Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS2) was performed by Joel Walker (guitar) and Paige Stockley (cello).
The version on Structure and Style for Students (SSS) is a Spelling Concerto Variation recomposed and performed by Joel Walker (guitar), Durgan Maxey (piano), and Elisa Conklin (cello).
The version on Introduction to Public Speaking (IPS) is Paper Dreams (by Sounds Like Sander)
The version played before IEW Online Classes is Copland Hoe Down from Rodeo
You will generally begin the Primary Arts of Language program when your student is around age 5 or 6, but it may be used with reading-ready 3 and 4 year olds, as well as older students who need some remedial help.
If you have an advanced 3 or 4 year old who is eager to learn to read, you can begin with PAL: Reading, along with Part 1 of PAL: Writing. You won’t want your student to start printing on lines using a regular pencil until he has developed enough fine motor control, usually around age 5. (If you try to start this too early, the child often ends up developing a goofy pencil grip because his hand is not strong enough to use a mature pencil grip.) So a younger student can practice writing his letters on a whiteboard. Since he won't continue with Part 2 of PAL: Writing until his fine motor skills develop further, you can set it aside and keep working through PAL: Reading until he is older and ready to move in to copy work.
The program isn't too cutesy, so it is an excellent resource if you have an older student who needs some gentle remedial help. And if you are already using it with a younger child, older siblings can easily join in as your "helpers," playing the reading games with their younger sibling and sitting in on the lessons as needed.
No matter what your child's age when you begin, the Teacher’s Manuals will give recommendations for how to adjust the program to meet your unique child’s needs.
Webinars: Respighi - Ancient Airs & Dances
Arts of Language Podcast: Respighi - The Cuckoo, the fourth movement of The Birds
• The individual lessons have the added components of daily lesson plans and clearer weekly lesson goals.
• Source texts are either new or have been modified to include more regions of the world.
• The pacing of stylistic techniques has been adjusted so that students have success and enjoy the writing experience more.
• Advanced elements of Structure and Style have been placed in the Advanced Additions optional e-book, which is a free download with the purchase of the Student Book. This means that that the basic Student Book along with the Advanced Additions e-book is a perfect fit for all Level B students.
• Vocabulary words have been reevaluated to coincide with the dress-ups being taught in the lessons, making it easier for the students to use them in their lesson assignments.
• The lessons align with the updated version of Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, both in the order and manner in which elements of Structure and Style are taught.
• The new edition is not compatible with the former.
Yes, if your student is already reading fluently you can use PAL: Writing without PAL: Reading. However, in order to use the PAL: Reading package, you will need PAL: Writing as well.
Yes! You do! The Writing Across the Curriculum courses are meant to be supplemental—an aid to the teacher. They presume that the instructor has been through the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style course. A book can't teach writing to a child without teacher support. After you learn our system these books will be able to serve as a support to you in teaching your child to write.
Windows to the World is appropriate for high school and advanced middle school students (due to the stories used for analysis). In addition to the basics (character, plot, etc.), students will also become familiar with such literary elements as imagery, symbolism, parallelism, allusions, and much more, while learning how to annotate a piece of literature. The lesson plans are clearly laid out, with specific information for the student as well as the teacher. You can intersperse longer novels if you wish, or use the course as is, since it is self-contained.
Both products are suitable for use by teachers who are not familiar with literary analysis.
You can find the copyright policy for each of our products as a link on the specific product page. For example, to view the copyright for Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level A, go to the product page and click on the "Details" tab.
Traditional grammar programs systematically teach concepts about grammar, punctuation, and usage with sentences artificially contrived to fit the rules. The theory behind such approaches is that after learning the rules, students will be able to apply them to their own writing. Often these programs teach more concepts than are need-to-know in terms of punctuation, correct grammar, or performance on the ACT or SAT, but they cover the rules well.
Diagramming is a method for helping students grasp the underlying structure of sentences, which is critical for punctuating sentences correctly but which seems to work with only about half the population. Most diagramming programs also teach more than is truly helpful to students learning grammar.
Fix It! Grammar emerged from a teacher's frustration with traditional approaches. Like many teachers, Pamela White (who earned her Master's Degree and A.B.D. in English from Vanderbilt University) recognized that students using traditional grammar programs may learn the rules well but seem to have a disconnect in applying them. The more that grammar is rooted in the writing experience, the better it sticks.
The ultimate goal of teaching grammar should be to train students to be able to edit their own writing effectively. When a side benefit is improved performance on the SAT or ACT, so much the better. Fix It! Grammar (third edition) is a complete grammar program for these goals that truly matter, but it teaches students in the context of writing and through editing rather than through exercises focusing on specific rules.
The early books in Fix It! Grammar begin with marking parts of speech and then identifying phrases (mainly prepositional phrases), main clauses, and dependent clauses. This is better than diagramming because it focuses on the structural parts of sentences that matter most and most affect punctuation rather than getting students bogged down in labeling the parts of sentences that rarely become punctuation hurdles.
Gradually, the Fix It! Grammar stories incorporate usage, grammar, and punctuation concepts, taught by asking students to correct the mistakes in passages and then discuss with their teacher the reasons for corrections.
Early stories have advanced concepts which can be used with stronger students and which pave the way for concepts in later stories.
The six books, each lasting a full year, contain some instruction at the start of each week's lesson as well as added instruction and tips to teachers to use as needed.
All six stories use natural sentences--rather than ones artificially contrived to fit an exercise--that closely mimic the kinds of errors in student writing, so students get repeated practice looking for errors in sentences (the same methods achievement tests use), along with the challenge of needing to explain the why's behind fixes. Since the sentences have the normal complexity of real writing, they also deal with the same issues any writer faces in editing his or her own work.
The PAL: Reading will require about 30 minutes of your time each day you do it, and another 30-60 minutes of your student’s time to do his things with some, but not always significant, supervision.
The PAL: Writing will take about 30 minutes of your day. It also includes a brief discussion of a story every day. You can use any story you are reading to your child, so it works with anything you are already doing. As with most programs, your first week or two will likely require more time, but as you get it running, it does not take much time to maintain. Using the PAL: Reading, your child will likely be reading after just a few months. At that point, less time will need to be spent on the Reading, so you can spend a little more time on the PAL: Writing Composition section when you get to it. However, it won’t really cost you any more time in the long run.
Please get in touch with us to let us know what you are interested in. We mostly present our seminars in areas where a school or homeschool group has offered to help with location, promotion, etc. Expenses and fees vary, depending on the number of people, types of classes, travel distance, etc., but generally, a group of 35 or more can cover the costs of a seminar comfortably. To inquire about hosting an event in your area, please contact us at events@IEW.com.
The primary goal of the Institute for Excellence in Writing is teacher training. We offer lessons and video courses for the student to make the job of the teacher as easy as possible, but it is important for teachers to gain the training necessary to help their children write well.
Writing is an art and requires a give and take between student and teacher. The teacher’s course equips you to provide that for your student. If you only have the student videos, your student will learn a good deal, but will only get the answers to whatever questions were asked when the course was originally recorded. If your student has any difficulty, you may find it challenging to provide him the unique help he needs. The teacher’s course provides all the hows and whys behind the program so that you too can become an accomplished writing teacher over time.
One experienced homeschool mother explains, "I homeschool eight children, so I can appreciate how precious time is, but trying to teach writing without taking the time to watch my teacher’s videos was like pushing the car down the highway because I didn’t have time to stop for gas. :)
You don’t have to watch the entire teacher’s course in one sitting. Just watch a video a month or so and you will do just fine.
As Andrew Pudewa has said, our materials are like ice cream—the more the better! But be sure the first serving is for the teacher.
Grade levels are approximate, as each child's ability level will vary, regardless of grade level. In general, however, the following levels apply (for all products except the Phonetic Zoo):
Note: If a student is significantly behind in reading ability, you may wish to choose a level that corresponds with reading level rather than grade level.
For the Phonetic Zoo, the spelling placement test should be given to determine each student's starting level.
Yes! Two parents respond to this question below. The first teaches a student with Aspergers (on the autistic scale) and the second has a son who is dyslexic.
Jill states:
"IEW is fantastic for those with expressive disorders. A dear friend of mine has a son with Aspergers. This year, I offered to teach him writing. His mom returned immediately with, 'Oh, he can't write.' I asked for a chance.
"We just started the Student Writing Intensive B. He flew through the first disc, outlined and wrote beautifully. I think he will find the help he needs with this program. I am so happy for him!"
Jen writes:
"My ten year old is dyslexic. Written expression has been a chore for him from day 1. Since we started with IEW two years ago, the lights have come on, and slowly but surely he's become a writer. The logical progression, the straightforward steps and checklists, and the knowledge that he can't 'do it wrong' (there are simply ways that he can 'do it better') have been incredible confidence builders for him.
"IEW has helped him get through the blocks that have always made written communication so difficult for him. Two years ago, he threw a literal screaming fit if I asked him to write his name on his paper...now, he journals a page a day and thinks nothing of writing a paper a week.
"IEW is so customizable (yet makes so much sense to the kids) that it works very, very well for kids that just don't 'get it' otherwise."
Items purchased directly through IEW:
- Go to IEW website: IEW.com/Returns.
- Read through the return checklist found on that page.
- If your return is eligible, click the blue button that says “Return Request Form.”
- Fill out the short form and click “Submit.”
- Expect an email within 2-4 days with a prepaid return label.
- Print out this label and tape it to your package. The address will be on the label.
Once we receive your package, we will issue a full refund (including the amount you initially paid for shipping). Expect either a check in the mail, or for recently placed orders, a refund back to your card.
Items were purchased new through a reseller:
-Send return items to our company address:
IEW (Returns)
8799 N. 387 Rd.
Locust Grove, OK 74352
-Include your name, address, phone number, where it was purchased, and whether you would like a refund or a credit toward an exchange.
Once we receive your return package, we will issue a refund for 60% of the original price for each item. Expect either a check in the mail, or for recently placed orders, a refund back to your card.
For items not purchased new directly from IEW or from one of our resellers, we are unable to offer any refund. To be eligible for our return policy, you must be the original purchaser making the return.
Each student will need access to the Narnia books as they will be directed to read one or more chapters with each lesson in the Following Narnia student book.
The levels for SSS are arranged by reading level and experience. You may need to purchase more than one level depending on each of your students’ points of need. Here is how you can decide:
|
4th–5th Grade Reading Level: Select Year 1 Level A |
6th–8th Grade Reading Level: Select Year 1 Level B |
9th–12th Grade Reading Level: Select Year 1 Level C |
Yes.
All the individual letters are introduced in the PAL: Writing program using letter stories as the student learns to print. Even if your student is too young to do much printing (age 3–4), you should still get the Writing package and do the printing lessons. He should just do his writing on a whiteboard (a lap sized one should work well). He won't start the copy work until his fine motor skills develop further, so the parent will then just shelve the Writing part until he is older. He can continue to practice his letters on the whiteboard. When he is old enough to manage a pen or pencil (usually around age 5), then he can pick up where he left off.
IMPORTANT: A child should not try to print on lines using a regular pencil until he has developed enough fine motor control. If you try to do it too early, the child ends up using goofy pen grips because his hand is not strong enough to use a mature pen grip. Thus, it is very important to be patient and WAIT until your child is old enough before working on handwriting.
At the Institute for Excellence in Writing, we take pride in offering excellent products and content to equip teachers and teaching parents with methods and materials which will aid them in training their students to become confident and competent communicators and thinkers. Our customer service team is here to assist you with any questions or concerns related to our products or methodology. We are dedicated to making your interaction with our products as smooth as possible.
It is important to note that we are not a dedicated technical support service. We are delighted to help you with inquiries about implementing our products. However, due to the plethora of network providers, security applications, network settings, and device connectivity options, we are not able to assist you in troubleshooting technical issues, such as casting to a device, using a video player, or streaming your videos. Often, the detailed technical support needed falls outside customer service’s scope of expertise.
Here are some troubleshooting suggestions to help you resolve common technical issues and make the most of your experience with our products.
Check for Software Updates: Ensure that your smart devices, including computers, tablets, or smartphones, have the latest operating system and application updates installed. Outdated software can often lead to compatibility issues.
Verify Network Connectivity: Verify that your internet connection is stable and working correctly. Try resetting your router or modem if you encounter connectivity problems.
Check Browser Compatibility: If you are using a web browser to access our content, make sure you are using a compatible and updated browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.
Reboot Device: Sometimes simply restarting your device can resolve minor issues. Try turning it off and then back on again.
Clear Cache and Cookies: Clearing your browser's cache (history) and cookies can help resolve certain loading and display issues.
Disable Security Programs: Temporarily disable security or antivirus software that might interfere with your access to our content. Remember to enable them after use.
Contact Your Internet Service Provider: If you experience persistent connectivity issues, contact your internet service provider to ensure there are no problems with your network connection.
For any inquiries related to our products or services, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable customer service team is always ready to assist you with any product-related questions and provide the support you need.
I remember when I was at a homeschool conference looking at some other writing materials and a very nice Mom poked her head over my shoulder and pointed me to IEW. I glanced at it then, but like you, thought it looked overwhelming.
A year later, I decided to give it a try and I absolutely wish I had done it so much sooner. IEW is not difficult to use or teach, in fact, it's easier and clearer than most of what's out there. The "thought" of it is what can be overwhelming, but the program itself is not complicated. Once you get it, begin using it and learn how to teach writing using IEW - you'll wish you started sooner. Plus, you have this great group for support if you ever have questions!!
Blessings,
Tina
I looked at the website yearly for about 4 years before I finally bought it. Each time I looked at the website I thought, "I can't do this. It looks too hard. It's $269 and I won't be able to do it” Fast forward to the next year and I said the same thing.
Finally this year I decided that all the people I admire that recommend it must have a REASON for liking it so much so I bit the bullet.
Between what is in the plans and the help on the (previous) forum, you won't have to put much effort into lesson planning especially if you have a curriculum you already use. Your son will learn the techniques and then apply them to his regular assignments.
I'm currently working through the student videos with my two oldest. I'm going at our own pace (slower than 1 disc/day MUCH faster than the 15 week lesson plan). And I'm NOT a good lesson planner. I'm happy when I'm convinced they 'get' a topic like the KWO or the dress-ups.
This is NOT hard to teach. It really isn't. If you flip through the tezcher's manual without watching the videos it can look confusing and overwhelming. Once you listen to Andrew explain everything it all makes sense.
Last night, dd (13) thanked me for getting IEW. It is making writing 'fun and much easier' for her. My ds (11) feels the same way. He never put pen to paper before. Now he is doing it, enjoying it and showing a creative side that he never has.
(Name withheld)



