Search for: theme based writing

Product Spotlight: Theme-Based Writing Lessons
IEW offers many excellent programs for language arts. Among them are products dedicated to written expression, speaking, literature, spelling, and handwriting. In this blog post we take a closer look at our theme-based... read more

Getting Started with Theme-Based Writing Lessons
On Day 3 of Twelve Days of Christmas Giving, IEW is giving you a three-week sample of three theme-based writing lessons. Be sure you are registered for the event to receive the email... 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

Teaching through a Theme-Based Book
“I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I write and I understand.” This axiom is often quoted in the world of education. Writing within content areas helps students build understanding.... read more

Theme-Based or Video-Based? Either Is a Win-Win!
Whether you use one of IEW’s theme-based courses or a Structure and Style for Students video-based course, it is a win-win for your students. While both use a spiral method to teach the... 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

Experience Unit 3 with People and Places in Our Community and World History-Based Writing Lessons
September is nearly over, but before you switch from retelling stories in Unit 3 to funneling facts in Unit 4, check out these story samples pulled from two of our latest theme-based books.... read more

A Helping Hand for Home-Based Instruction: Free Language Arts Lessons from IEW
With all that is happening in the world and across the United States, IEW wanted to do what we could to help in some small way. That’s why today’s post is a bit... read more

Special Education Series Part One: Structure and Style™ and Language-Based Learning Disabilities
by Linda Mikottis and Jean Nichols If you are a classroom teacher, chances are you have a number of students in your classroom with a language-based learning disability. Whether your students have been formally... read more

Writing Blind
Imagine a lightless world, full of sound, touch, and smell, but absent of color, visible texture, and sight. In their reading and writing studies, most students rely heavily on their sense of sight,... read more

Special Education Series: Structure and Style™ and Language-Based Learning Difficulties, Part 3: The Checklist
by Linda Mikottis and Jean Nichols In the previous post in this series, we compared traditional methods for teaching grammar with those used in IEW’s Structure and Style™ process that are more successful and... read more

Special Education Series: Structure and Style™ and Language-Based Learning Difficulties, Part 2: Teaching Grammar
by Linda Mikottis and Jean Nichols In part one of this series, we described the importance of a multi-sensory approach to language development and how IEW’s Structure and Style™ key word outline method incorporates... read more

IEW Writing Contest 2023
Writing contests are a fabulous way for students to further develop their writing skills, reach a broader audience, and potentially win a prize. They also provide a novel way to insert a little... read more

Keeping the Writing Rolling
Summer has arrived! The slower pace of the season brings with it opportunities to read for perhaps hours on end, go swimming at the beach or pool, and enjoy your favorite grilled foods.... read more

Success in Teaching Writing: A Special Education Writing Conference from IEW
We are excited to announce Success in Teaching Writing, an upcoming online conference that will focus on special needs. Happening on Saturday, January 16, 2021, this full-day writing conference will offer sessions for... read more

Wonders of Science Writing Lessons
How are astronauts protected from space dust traveling at the speed of a bullet? How do ants know when another ant has died? Which woman scientist was called the Sun Queen and why?... read more

Writing Essays with Unit 8
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout the year students progress through nine structural units. At this point in the... read more

Announcing IEW’s 2021 Writing Contest!
As winter begins to wane, and the days slowly stretch out longer and longer, we at IEW grow excited because we know the annual IEW Writing Contest is nearly here. We look forward... read more

Interrogative Thinking – Writing from Pictures
When I first heard the phrase interrogative thinking, I was immediately drawn to follow this idea. What an interesting combination of words. Of course we want our children to think clearly, quickly, carefully,... read more

Announcing IEW’s 2022 Writing Contest!
We are excited to announce the writing prompts for IEW’s 2022 Writing Contest and invite your students to submit their compositions for a chance to win a cash prize. Why should your students... read more

Jill’s Gems: Timed Essay Writing
It’s the height of summer. Summertime conjures thoughts of lazy days spent escaping the heat in the community swimming pool, binge reading a favorite book series in the icy cold air conditioning of... 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

Unboxing Your Teaching Writing/Student Writing Value Package: A Chart for Your Course
Our customer service team talks to parents and instructors every day who receive their long-awaited IEW materials, open their bright and shiny package, and are instantly struck with a challenging conundrum of “Where... read more

Announcing IEW’s Online 2021 Writing Conference!
On June 26, IEW is hosting the 2021 Online Writing Conference. We invite you to attend! Developed with teachers, administrators, tutors, parents, and students in mind, this free event will span the day,... read more

Learning Styles—Overcoming the Writing Barrier
Whether you are teaching two students or twenty, you have likely noticed that each of your students learns a bit differently. One child might happily read a book and remember what he’s read,... 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

When My Daughter Finally Started Writing
Learning is a struggle for some, and sometimes learning to write seems like an impossible task. We received this testimony from a mom whose daughter—now in college—had extreme learning difficulties. With IEW’s help,... read more

Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing
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. How can you overcome these... read more

Reinforcing Grammar Concepts in Students’ Writing
As a homeschooling mom, co-op teacher, and now a classroom teacher, I have found that Fix It!™ Grammar is the most practical and painless way to teach and learn grammar. In Andrew Pudewa’s... read more

Writing a Paper with Unit 2
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout the year students progress through nine structural units. After one, two, or maybe... read more

The Solar Eclipse: A Writing Activity
All across the United States, people today peered up into the skies to participate in a unique heavenly event, a solar eclipse. Were you among the many? Here’s a way to extend the... 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

Inventive Writing: Podcast Episodes 131a and 131b
The blank page. It’s a formidable foe for young and old. Just looking at a blank page can be enough to increase the heart rate and make the palms sweat. Fortunately, IEW tackles... read more

Product Spotlight: Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
Each month in 2019, we would like to highlight one of our products and answer a few questions about it. It is our hope to create a space where you can learn more... 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

Congratulations to IEW’s 2016 Writing Contest Winners!
This spring, we were delighted to host our second annual writing contest, receiving submissions from students all around the world. Our online writing instructors served as the judges, carefully reading each submission and... read more

Virtual Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
What: Three-session workshop for classroom teachers and administrators grades K-12Where: OnlineWhen: August 5, 6, and 7, 2025Time: 10:00 AM‒2:30 PM CT Presenters and Facilitator: Jeff Nease, IEW Implementation Coach The three-session workshop will be offered... read more

Announcing the 2020 IEW Writing Contest Winners!
It’s become a tradition that each spring, we announce the prompts for the annual IEW Writing Contest. This year’s prompts were as follows: Level A: Write a 2-paragraph composition about why kindness is important,... read more

Writing across the Curriculum: Podcast Episode 294
“Writing across the curriculum” continues to be a common educational trend in the United States. In podcast Episode 294 Andrew and Julie discuss what writing across the curriculum actually means and how IEW’s... read more

Unit 5: Writing from a Christmas Picture
# # The month of December is a hectic one. You may barely be through the Thanksgiving turkey leftovers, and then suddenly you find yourself in the midst of Christmas decorating, baking, and socializing. Rather... read more

Writing Critiques: Podcast Episodes 139a and 139b
The month of May doesn’t just bring flowers; if you have been keeping up with the suggested IEW unit pacing, it also brings Unit 9, the formal critique. But what is a formal... read more

A Brief Tour through the IEW Writing Units
When you teach writing with IEW®, you are constructing a solid writing foundation for your students. IEW’s writing structure is based upon nine units or structural models. But what are those models? A... read more

Writing across the Curriculum and Why It Matters
In her 1977 article “Writing as a Mode of Learning,” Janet Emig states, “Writing serves learning uniquely because writing as process-and-product possesses a cluster of attributes that correspond uniquely to certain powerful learning... read more

Many Educational Choices: One Writing Method Hybrid Schools
In 2013 as an IEW Educational Consultant, I conducted the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® (TWSS) seminar at Legacy Christian Academy, a hybrid school in Bakersfield, California. As the school prepared for the... read more

Unit 5: Writing from Pictures: Podcast Episode 167
In Podcast 167 Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss Unit 5, Writing from Pictures. This unit is distinct from the other writing units in that the student uses pictures in order to describe... read more

A Compelling Competition: The IEW Essay Writing Contest
One of my favorite jobs is working at a local academic homeschool co-op. This year I am the high school English teacher. I’m quite proud of my little IEW class. We’ve had a... read more

Sue Ewing: Helping Students Overcome Their Writing Obstacles
At IEW, we mean it when we say our Structure and Style™ method works for students who have a wide range of abilities. This includes special learners. Sue Ewing is a Certified IEW... read more

Reviewing Our Greatest Hits: Why Teach Cursive Writing?
Centering around the teaching of cursive, our latest “Best of” podcast episode deserves another listen. Why should cursive be taught? Isn’t it obsolete now that everyone can type on their phones, laptops, and... read more

Many Educational Choices: One Writing Method 5-Day Schools
During my thirty-four-year career as an elementary school teacher, I taught at seven schools in four school districts in three states. The districts ranged from rural to suburban to inner city, each with... read more

How the Structure and Style Writing Approach Supports Reading
While the act of reading appears, at least on the surface, to be simple, it is anything but. Reading is actually an extremely complicated activity that involves lots of simultaneous processes within the... 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

Do I Really Need Teaching Writing: Structure and Style?
If your students are using IEW’s new Structure and Style for Students (SSS) program this year, you may be wondering whether you actually need Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS) in order to... read more

How to Teach Writing with Confidence: Podcast Episode 339
Here at the Institute for Excellence in Writing, our mission is to equip teachers and teaching parents with methods and materials which will aid them in training their students to become confident and... read more

Writing Rewarded: A Conversation with Nataly and Breesa Pierce
Meet Nataly and Breesa Pierce, IEW students ages 8 and 11. Each of them competed in her first writing contest this past summer. Nataly won first place, and Breesa took third in separate... read more

Announcement: It’s time for the 2020 IEW Writing Contest!
The last several months have been filled with exciting events such as IEW’s twenty-fifth birthday bash and the brand new Structure and Style for Students courses. And the year is just getting started!... read more

Three Ways Our Students Grow in Their Writing Skills
It’s best to think of language acquisition as a journey, and every student is somewhere on the path. Our goal for our students is not perfection; our goal is progress. We want to... read more

Many Educational Choices: One Writing Method Formal Co-ops
We are blessed to live in a time where there are many educational options available for our students. The beauty of IEW methodology is that it is easily adaptable to most educational settings.... read more

Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing: Podcast Episode 359
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... read more

Flying Solo with Teaching Writing: Structure and Style: Part 2
In our last blog post, we described the initial steps you need to take in order to plan for a successful year utilizing our flagship course, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, as the... read more

Many Educational Choices: One Writing Method Private Tutoring at Home
People are unique. Just as some people feel most at home in an urban environment, others chafe at the sounds and sights of the city and long for the quiet comfort of a... read more

Unit 3: Powerful Narrative Tools Inform and Improve Academic Writing
by Jean Nichols and Janet Spitler When I began using IEW’s Structure and Style method in my classroom in 2001, I was anxious about teaching Unit 3: Summarizing a Narrative. Classroom Supplements hadn’t been... read more

The 2021 IEW Online Writing Conference: Recorded and Ready to Watch!
The 2021 IEW Online Writing Conference: Recorded and Ready to Watch! It’s a wrap! This past Saturday marked IEW’s second annual Online Writing Conference. Did you participate? It was a fabulous day featuring workshops... read more

Teaching Writing Can Be Easier Than You Think! Podcast Episode 277
In June IEW presented its second annual Online Writing Conference. Attended by people from all around the world, the conference offered education and support for teachers, administrators, parents, and students. In this week’s... read more

Where are They Now? Alayna Mitchell: A Passion for Writing
Occasionally we get calls from parents of older children who are just starting out with IEW. They are worried that their students are starting too late for it to really work well. Alayna... read more

Summer Writing Fun with Structure and Style: Podcast Episode 271
If the summer break hasn’t started for you yet, most likely it is just around the corner. While teachers and teaching parents love having a nice break to rest and recharge for the... read more

Overcoming Obstacles in Teaching Reading and Writing: Podcast Episode 255
Recently IEW hosted an online conference called “Success in Teaching Writing: A Special Education Writing Conference from IEW.” If you missed it, you can watch the recording of it by visiting this link.... 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

My IEW Journey: Becoming a Successful IEW Classroom Writing Teacher
As a child, I wanted to become a second-grade teacher. In college, though, my parents pushed me to study business instead. Poor grades followed, and a degree change became imperative. I switched paths... read more

Flying Solo with Teaching Writing: Structure and Style: Part 1
Once upon a time, IEW offered a single product—Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS). Since then the TWSS has undergone a few updates with the most recent one occurring in 2015 (TWSS2). Additionally... 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

Little Birdie in the Snow: A Unit 5 Writing Opportunity
While some educators are beginning to move into Unit 6 with their students, there are still several who choose to spread out Unit 5 over both December and January. For those who are... 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

Unit 7 and the 2019 IEW Writing Contest: Podcast Episode 182
The month of March is traditionally when students encounter Unit 7: Inventive Writing. In Podcast 182, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss this writing unit and introduce the writing prompts for this year’s... 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

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

Teacher Training Method Options: Virtual Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Workshop
Learning to teach writing effectively is one of the most powerful investments teachers can make in improving their instruction. In parts one and two of this training methods series, we featured video training... read more

Begin Reading and Writing with a Pal: IEW’s Primary Arts of Language
Do you have a new or struggling reader in your home? If so, find direction and encouragement in our June 26 webinar with Jill Pike, author of Primary Arts of Language (PAL). Jill’s... 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

Product Spotlight: A Word Write Now: A Thematic Thesaurus for Stylized Writing
Getting students to write using vivid language is easier said than done. Asking them to “show, not tell” when they write or to write in a way that creates a movie in... read more

More about Overcoming Obstacles in Teaching Reading and Writing: Podcast Episode 256
During last week’s Arts of Language Podcast episode, Andrew and Julie discussed effective ways to overcome obstacles in teaching reading and writing. One of the techniques they mentioned was implementing copywork. But rather... read more

Announcing IEW’s Winter Retreat 2023: A Virtual Writing Workshop for Classroom Teachers
Are you a classroom teacher, hybrid school instructor, co-op facilitator, or tutor? Do you teach your students in person or online? We have a special event just for you! On Saturday, February 11,... read more

From Imitation to Innovation: Teaching writing can be easier than you think!
This past Saturday, people from all around the world gathered together virtually to participate in IEW’s online writing conference, From Imitation to Innovation. It was a day filled with inspiring instruction and useful... read more

Product Spotlight – Portable Walls: Desktop Writing Stations for Information at Your Fingertips
“You Are There” was a popular television show in the 1950s. Aired on CBS and hosted by Walker Cronkite, the program featured events in world and United States history such as the death... read more

Off to a Strong Start: Preparing for Writing Instruction with Structure and Style
Arranging desks, unpacking new textbooks, and dusting off classroom libraries in a freshly cleaned classroom gives even the most seasoned veteran a happy feeling of anticipation for the year ahead. Making a new... read more

Teaching Writing: Structure and Style—IEW‘s Most Important Message, Part 2: Podcast Episode 58
In this podcast, Andrew and Julie uncover the powerful educational content in IEW's core product, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS). Additionally, they discuss each one of the stylistic techniques as well as the supplemental contents... read more

Reviewing Our Greatest Hits: How Busy Moms Teach Writing: A Conversation with Author and Speaker, Heidi St. John
The most recent “Best of” podcast features popular homeschool speaker and author Heidi St. John. During the podcast Julie Walker and Heidi St. John discuss how busy homeschool moms “do it all.” Quick... read more

Training Method Options, Part 4A – Live On-Site Professional Development: Launching Young Writers with Primary Writing with Structure and Style Two-Day Seminar
Primary Writing with Structure and Style was designed specifically with primary teachers in mind. Providing a bridge between Anna Ingham's Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning and the Structure and Style method, this seminar... 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 Worthwhile Investment
One of the most frequent questions IEW’s customer service receives is “How much parent involvement does this program require?” This is understandable. Homeschool parents juggle multiple students at multiple levels, run a household,... read more

Author Interview: Lori Verstegen—Helping Students Succeed
There are many options available to teach IEW writing to your students. One of the most enjoyable and successful ways to begin is to use Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS2) and the Structure... read more

How to Progress: Structure and Style for Students
Structure and Style® for Students (SSS) video-based courses build on each other. Although many begin at Level A, older students who have used other curricula may begin at Year 1 of Level B... read more

IEW’s Promise: Satisfaction Guaranteed
At IEW we are very committed to our mission. In fact, we are so confident you will love our products, we stand behind everything we sell with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We even... read more

Applying IEW across Your School
Like many people, I first became acquainted with IEW while I was homeschooling my children, and I taught IEW in homeschool co-ops for many years. However, when my kids were grown, I started... 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

Addressing Misunderstandings about the Stylistic Techniques, Part 1: Podcast Episode 278
The Institute for Excellence in Writing is known by many to be the “Structure and Style®” writing company. But what does “Structure and Style” really mean? If we break the two terms apart,... read more

Empowered across the Curriculum
Many years ago when I was a much younger, somewhat bewildered homeschool mom standing in front of the IEW® booth at a homeschool convention, I had one goal in mind—finding support to help... read more

Why IEW Works for Students with Learning Differences: Podcast Episode 356
Why is IEW a good fit for students with special needs? This week Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker read through testimonials from teaching parents to help answer the question. Tune in to this... read more

Customer Service Answers: How do I teach Structure and Style to multiple ages?
“How do I use one writing course for my kids who are all different ages?” We often receive this question in customer service. Whether your reasons are because of time limits, money constraints, or... read more

A Classic Resource
Which IEW product has been around nearly as long as the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS) seminar? The Writing Source Packet is one of the original resources that IEW produced for parents... read more

The Journey’s End: Written Communication
Which IEW courses will help prepare your students for writing at the collegiate level? Most colleges expect students to be able to write proficiently. Across academia, professors often assign essays to gauge their... read more

IEW Tools for the Journey: Webinars
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

Teaching Documentation with Confidence
For those of you who have an older version of the Student Resource Packet (SRP) and have updated to the most recent edition, you may have noticed that we no longer include bibliography... read more

IEW Tools for the Journey: Newsletters
It is August. Many schools and homeschools have already begun the new school year. Within a few weeks schools of all types will be in session. Here at IEW, our mission is to... read more

IEW Accreditation: The Secret Key to Success
Throughout the years, Institute for Excellence in Writing has continued to make its programs easier to implement. When IEW was founded over twenty-five years ago, teachers could only learn the Structure and Style... read more

Ask Andrew Anything: Podcast Episode 210
It’s that time again! Every tenth podcast is set aside so that listeners can “ask Andrew anything.” In podcast Episode 210 listeners asked the following questions: Do I really need the teacher-training course, Teaching... 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

Customer Service Answers: A Little Help along the Way
At IEW we want the courses we provide to be ones that will excite and engage both you and your student. In order to help support you as you teach your children, we... 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

Building a Strong Foundation with Units 1 and 2
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout the year, students progress through nine structural units. Each year they begin with Units... read more

Why the Same Nine IEW Units Year after Year?
When students complete their first year of an IEW Structure and Style course whether it is one of our theme-based courses or Structure and Style for Students video-based courses, parents often ask, “What... read more

Planning an IEW Lesson for Multiple Grades
We live in a time where there are many options for educating our students. Since the pandemic more and more families have chosen to educate their children in nontraditional settings. Many of these... read more

Checking the Boxes for High School Credit
Many of our customers reach out to customer service as their student approaches high school. They want to be sure that our materials will count for a language arts credit. Perhaps, a new... read more

Where Are They Now? Oliver Mauser: College, Construction, and Effective Communication
From time to time we enjoy highlighting former structure and style students to showcase their achievements both academically and professionally. Students who learn this writing method are able to confidently use the skills... read more

Why We Do What We Do
We are not merely a curriculum company. At IEW we fervently desire to go beyond simply designing a course of study in a subject such as English. At our heart we want to... read more

Where are they now? Jemma Swift: Author of Forever Riders
Authoring a book is an intimidating prospect. And if it’s illustrated, that introduces even more challenges. For Jemma Swift—homeschooled student, first-time-author, and sister to co-illustrator Eliza Swift—”intimidating” was not in her vocabulary. Oh,... read more

Taking Notes with Unit 1
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout the year, students progress through nine structural units. Every paper a student... read more

Starting Strong in September, Structure and Style Units 1 & 2: Part 2: Podcast Episode 108b
As you begin this new school year, be encouraged to make a great start in public speaking and writing. Andrew reviews Units 1 and 2 of the IEW syllabus, Note Making and Outlines and... read more

Hot Off the Press! Following Narnia Volume 2: Aslan’s Country
Narnia lovers, rejoice! If you’ve used and loved Following Narnia® Volume 1: The Lion’s Song, you’ll be delighted to know that IEW has recently released the sequel: Following Narnia® Volume 2: Aslan’s Country.... read more

Furnishing the Mind with Great Sources – ReadWorks®
IEW is widely recognized for exceptional writing courses for the homeschool, classroom, co-op, and tutorial, providing students with excellent content to cover a wide range of subject matter and topics. Whether you use... read more

Is it worth the time?
Why watch IEW's parent/teacher training course? Have you ever wondered why IEW’s core product is a parent/teacher training course? Busy homeschoolers often ask, “Couldn’t I just watch the student DVD courses with my children... read more

Understanding Topic-Clincher Sentences with Unit 4
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout the year, students progress through nine structural units. After building a strong foundation... read more

Adjust the Checklist to Sharpen Students’ Saws
The school year is nearing the end, and summer is close at hand. Teachers and families alike eagerly anticipate a chance to slow down a bit to relax and renew. A recent IEW®... read more

Customizing Lessons to Meet Your Students’ Needs – Filtering
“The optimal learning environment is one which allows each child to progress at his own rate allowing sufficient repetition for mastery.” Andrew Pudewa, IEW Founder, Author, and Director In the Teaching Writing: Structure and... read more

Assessing Student Growth with Fix It! Grammar
Teachers in school classrooms need opportunities for assessing student growth whether by traditional tests or by some other assessment. Educational assessments are methods of measuring students' learning and progress. They are essential tools... read more

Ask Andrew Anything: Podcast Episode 230
This week on the Arts of Language Podcast marks the release of Episode 230. Every tenth episode features an “Ask Andrew Anything,” where listeners send in all different kinds of queries. Listen to... read more

Sharing Fairy Tales: Time Well Spent and Much Enjoyed
If you ask a child what his favorite part of the school day is, he’s likely to blurt out, “Recess!” But if he stops and considers for a moment longer, he will likely... read more

Nurture Communication—Build Vocabulary!
Every year, new words are added to the dictionary. In 2018, for instance, words like “bougie,” “bingeable,” and “predictive” were added by Merriam-Webster. But did you know that behind the scenes there is... read more

Ask Andrew Anything: Podcast Episode 330
IEW’s customer service and schools division teams offer support to parents and teachers as they answer questions through emails, chats, and phone calls. Occasionally, however, Andrew addresses customers’ questions himself. This is one... read more

Where Are They Now? Ethan Sink: Journalist with a Passion for Communication
Occasionally at IEW we receive questions from parents wondering if our curriculum will work for students who are interested in pursuing careers in journalism. We would unequivocally say yes! As proof, we would... read more

IEW Tools for the Journey: Schools Department
As part of IEW’s continued commitment to providing parents and teachers with help for the journey of training students to be confident and competent communicators and thinkers, we are presenting a series of... read more

Hot Off the Press! Following Narnia® Volume 1: The Lion’s Song (Third Edition)
Did you grow up loving Narnia? I know I did—I must have read each book in the series ten or twenty times throughout my childhood! I vividly remember reading The Lion, the Witch... read more

Powerful Courses for College Preparation
In many ways, the high school years are a staging ground for adulthood. For some students high school represents the culmination of their formal education. For others the high school years are preparatory,... read more

Becoming a Read-Aloud Family: Podcast Episode 128
# # Recently Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker had an opportunity to sit down with Sarah Mackenzie, busy homeschool mom, accomplished author, and creator of the podcast Read-Aloud Revival. During their time together, Andrew and... read more

Getting Started with Premium Membership
The gift on Day 11 of IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giving is a gift that keeps on giving! Be sure you are registered for the event to receive the email with links... read more

EZ+1 Reiterated
Accomplished instructor and IEW author Jill Pike has provided invaluable advice to many IEW teachers and parents. Much of it reiterates the EZ+1 philosophy. In this particular exchange she helps a co-op instructor... read more

How a Hybrid School Found Success with IEW
Louis Lemmon: Hybrid School Administrator Founded in 2005, Lake Pointe Academy is a K–12 University-Model® school of approximately 195 students. Louis Lemmon served for two years as a teacher, and then began serving as head... read more

Critiquing Literature with Unit 9
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout the year students progress through nine structural units. At this point in the... read more

Salting the Oats
Teachers understand that students enjoy a good contest. The possibility of winning a coveted prize or a tasty treat can inspire even the most reluctant student to strive for success. But how can... read more

Perfecting Pieces for Publication—An Interview with Maria Gerber
Behind every great writer is a great editor. This holds true for nearly all great authors, and for us at IEW. IEW has a small but sharp team of editors who work on... 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

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

Taking a Peek into Windows to the World
IEW’s pathway features a great progression of coursework to help your students develop their writing skills, but those are not the only courses IEW has. Additionally IEW offers materials that support all components... 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

Structure and Style for Students: What’s in the Box?
By now you’ve likely heard the buzz about Structure and Style for Students, IEW’s new video-based student course. Every day, our customer service team receives calls from teachers considering which level of the... read more

Special Learning Needs and IEW
If you missed the gifts given for Day 8, you can still access these resources: Podcast R14: Learning Differences Struggles and Suggestions, Part 1 – Dyslexia Podcast R15: Learning Differences Struggles and Suggestions, Part 2 – Dysgraphia Podcast... read more

An Interview with Judy Sarden: Practical Help for Homeschoolers
Author, blogger, small business consultant, and homeschool speaker Judy Sarden has a heart for homeschooling families. Out of this love she has written a book called Sarden’s Practical Guide: How to Start Homeschooling.... read more
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Empowering Gifted Learners and Writers
Many students have a gift for something—a skill or talent they do well or perhaps excel in. This is not the same as being a gifted learner. The National Association for Gifted Children... read more

Premium Membership: Continually Adding Teacher Resources
Investing in IEW’s Premium Membership is an investment in yourself as well as your students. Several fabulous perks have been added to the already robust compendium of support for teachers of Structure and... read more

Premium Membership: Where Do I Start?
For many of our new Premium Members, glancing over the additional files now included in their account is like entering a downtown library, new card in hand, and viewing row after row of... 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

Product Spotlight: Theme-Based Writing Lessons
IEW offers many excellent programs for language arts. Among them are products dedicated to written expression, speaking, literature, spelling, and handwriting.... read more

Getting Started with Theme-Based Writing Lessons
On Day 3 of Twelve Days of Christmas Giving, IEW is giving you a three-week sample of three theme-based writing lessons.... 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

Teaching through a Theme-Based Book
“I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I write and I understand.” This axiom is often quoted in... read more

Theme-Based or Video-Based? Either Is a Win-Win!
Whether you use one of IEW’s theme-based courses or a Structure and Style for Students video-based course, it is a win-win... 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

Experience Unit 3 with People and Places in Our Community and World History-Based Writing Lessons
September is nearly over, but before you switch from retelling stories in Unit 3 to funneling facts in Unit 4, check... read more

A Helping Hand for Home-Based Instruction: Free Language Arts Lessons from IEW
With all that is happening in the world and across the United States, IEW wanted to do what we could to... read more

Special Education Series Part One: Structure and Style™ and Language-Based Learning Disabilities
by Linda Mikottis and Jean Nichols If you are a classroom teacher, chances are you have a number of students in your... read more

Writing Blind
Imagine a lightless world, full of sound, touch, and smell, but absent of color, visible texture, and sight. In their reading... read more

Special Education Series: Structure and Style™ and Language-Based Learning Difficulties, Part 3: The Checklist
by Linda Mikottis and Jean Nichols In the previous post in this series, we compared traditional methods for teaching grammar with those... read more

Special Education Series: Structure and Style™ and Language-Based Learning Difficulties, Part 2: Teaching Grammar
by Linda Mikottis and Jean Nichols In part one of this series, we described the importance of a multi-sensory approach to language... read more

IEW Writing Contest 2023
Writing contests are a fabulous way for students to further develop their writing skills, reach a broader audience, and potentially win... read more

Keeping the Writing Rolling
Summer has arrived! The slower pace of the season brings with it opportunities to read for perhaps hours on end, go... read more

Success in Teaching Writing: A Special Education Writing Conference from IEW
We are excited to announce Success in Teaching Writing, an upcoming online conference that will focus on special needs. Happening on... read more

Wonders of Science Writing Lessons
How are astronauts protected from space dust traveling at the speed of a bullet? How do ants know when another ant... read more

Writing Essays with Unit 8
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout... read more

Announcing IEW’s 2021 Writing Contest!
As winter begins to wane, and the days slowly stretch out longer and longer, we at IEW grow excited because we... read more

Interrogative Thinking – Writing from Pictures
When I first heard the phrase interrogative thinking, I was immediately drawn to follow this idea. What an interesting combination of... read more

Announcing IEW’s 2022 Writing Contest!
We are excited to announce the writing prompts for IEW’s 2022 Writing Contest and invite your students to submit their compositions... read more

Jill’s Gems: Timed Essay Writing
It’s the height of summer. Summertime conjures thoughts of lazy days spent escaping the heat in the community swimming pool, binge... 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

Unboxing Your Teaching Writing/Student Writing Value Package: A Chart for Your Course
Our customer service team talks to parents and instructors every day who receive their long-awaited IEW materials, open their bright and... read more

Announcing IEW’s Online 2021 Writing Conference!
On June 26, IEW is hosting the 2021 Online Writing Conference. We invite you to attend! Developed with teachers, administrators, tutors,... read more

Learning Styles—Overcoming the Writing Barrier
Whether you are teaching two students or twenty, you have likely noticed that each of your students learns a bit differently.... 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

When My Daughter Finally Started Writing
Learning is a struggle for some, and sometimes learning to write seems like an impossible task. We received this testimony from... read more

Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing
Have you committed one of these four errors in your teaching? Overcorrecting, holding back help, unclear assignments, and over-expectation can frustrate... read more

Reinforcing Grammar Concepts in Students’ Writing
As a homeschooling mom, co-op teacher, and now a classroom teacher, I have found that Fix It!™ Grammar is the most... read more

Writing a Paper with Unit 2
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout... read more

The Solar Eclipse: A Writing Activity
All across the United States, people today peered up into the skies to participate in a unique heavenly event, a solar... 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

Inventive Writing: Podcast Episodes 131a and 131b
The blank page. It’s a formidable foe for young and old. Just looking at a blank page can be enough to... read more

Product Spotlight: Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
Each month in 2019, we would like to highlight one of our products and answer a few questions about it. It... 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

Congratulations to IEW’s 2016 Writing Contest Winners!
This spring, we were delighted to host our second annual writing contest, receiving submissions from students all around the world. Our... read more

Virtual Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
What: Three-session workshop for classroom teachers and administrators grades K-12Where: OnlineWhen: August 5, 6, and 7, 2025Time: 10:00 AM‒2:30 PM CT Presenters... read more

Announcing the 2020 IEW Writing Contest Winners!
It’s become a tradition that each spring, we announce the prompts for the annual IEW Writing Contest. This year’s prompts were... read more

Writing across the Curriculum: Podcast Episode 294
“Writing across the curriculum” continues to be a common educational trend in the United States. In podcast Episode 294 Andrew and... read more

Unit 5: Writing from a Christmas Picture
# # The month of December is a hectic one. You may barely be through the Thanksgiving turkey leftovers, and then suddenly you... read more

Writing Critiques: Podcast Episodes 139a and 139b
The month of May doesn’t just bring flowers; if you have been keeping up with the suggested IEW unit pacing, it... read more

A Brief Tour through the IEW Writing Units
When you teach writing with IEW®, you are constructing a solid writing foundation for your students. IEW’s writing structure is based... read more

Writing across the Curriculum and Why It Matters
In her 1977 article “Writing as a Mode of Learning,” Janet Emig states, “Writing serves learning uniquely because writing as process-and-product... read more

Many Educational Choices: One Writing Method Hybrid Schools
In 2013 as an IEW Educational Consultant, I conducted the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® (TWSS) seminar at Legacy Christian Academy,... read more

Unit 5: Writing from Pictures: Podcast Episode 167
In Podcast 167 Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss Unit 5, Writing from Pictures. This unit is distinct from the other... read more

A Compelling Competition: The IEW Essay Writing Contest
One of my favorite jobs is working at a local academic homeschool co-op. This year I am the high school English... read more

Sue Ewing: Helping Students Overcome Their Writing Obstacles
At IEW, we mean it when we say our Structure and Style™ method works for students who have a wide range... read more

Reviewing Our Greatest Hits: Why Teach Cursive Writing?
Centering around the teaching of cursive, our latest “Best of” podcast episode deserves another listen. Why should cursive be taught? Isn’t... read more

Many Educational Choices: One Writing Method 5-Day Schools
During my thirty-four-year career as an elementary school teacher, I taught at seven schools in four school districts in three states.... read more

How the Structure and Style Writing Approach Supports Reading
While the act of reading appears, at least on the surface, to be simple, it is anything but. Reading is actually... 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

Do I Really Need Teaching Writing: Structure and Style?
If your students are using IEW’s new Structure and Style for Students (SSS) program this year, you may be wondering whether... read more

How to Teach Writing with Confidence: Podcast Episode 339
Here at the Institute for Excellence in Writing, our mission is to equip teachers and teaching parents with methods and materials... read more

Writing Rewarded: A Conversation with Nataly and Breesa Pierce
Meet Nataly and Breesa Pierce, IEW students ages 8 and 11. Each of them competed in her first writing contest this... read more

Announcement: It’s time for the 2020 IEW Writing Contest!
The last several months have been filled with exciting events such as IEW’s twenty-fifth birthday bash and the brand new Structure... read more

Three Ways Our Students Grow in Their Writing Skills
It’s best to think of language acquisition as a journey, and every student is somewhere on the path. Our goal for... read more

Many Educational Choices: One Writing Method Formal Co-ops
We are blessed to live in a time where there are many educational options available for our students. The beauty of... read more

Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing: Podcast Episode 359
Have you committed one of these four errors in your teaching? Overcorrecting, holding back help, unclear assignments, and over-expectation can frustrate... read more

Flying Solo with Teaching Writing: Structure and Style: Part 2
In our last blog post, we described the initial steps you need to take in order to plan for a successful... read more

Many Educational Choices: One Writing Method Private Tutoring at Home
People are unique. Just as some people feel most at home in an urban environment, others chafe at the sounds and... read more

Unit 3: Powerful Narrative Tools Inform and Improve Academic Writing
by Jean Nichols and Janet Spitler When I began using IEW’s Structure and Style method in my classroom in 2001, I was... read more

The 2021 IEW Online Writing Conference: Recorded and Ready to Watch!
The 2021 IEW Online Writing Conference: Recorded and Ready to Watch! It’s a wrap! This past Saturday marked IEW’s second annual Online... read more

Teaching Writing Can Be Easier Than You Think! Podcast Episode 277
In June IEW presented its second annual Online Writing Conference. Attended by people from all around the world, the conference offered... read more

Where are They Now? Alayna Mitchell: A Passion for Writing
Occasionally we get calls from parents of older children who are just starting out with IEW. They are worried that their... read more

Summer Writing Fun with Structure and Style: Podcast Episode 271
If the summer break hasn’t started for you yet, most likely it is just around the corner. While teachers and teaching... read more

Overcoming Obstacles in Teaching Reading and Writing: Podcast Episode 255
Recently IEW hosted an online conference called “Success in Teaching Writing: A Special Education Writing Conference from IEW.” If you missed... 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

My IEW Journey: Becoming a Successful IEW Classroom Writing Teacher
As a child, I wanted to become a second-grade teacher. In college, though, my parents pushed me to study business instead.... read more

Flying Solo with Teaching Writing: Structure and Style: Part 1
Once upon a time, IEW offered a single product—Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS). Since then the TWSS has undergone a... 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

Little Birdie in the Snow: A Unit 5 Writing Opportunity
While some educators are beginning to move into Unit 6 with their students, there are still several who choose to spread... 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

Unit 7 and the 2019 IEW Writing Contest: Podcast Episode 182
The month of March is traditionally when students encounter Unit 7: Inventive Writing. In Podcast 182, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker... 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

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

Teacher Training Method Options: Virtual Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Workshop
Learning to teach writing effectively is one of the most powerful investments teachers can make in improving their instruction. In parts... read more

Begin Reading and Writing with a Pal: IEW’s Primary Arts of Language
Do you have a new or struggling reader in your home? If so, find direction and encouragement in our June 26... 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

Product Spotlight: A Word Write Now: A Thematic Thesaurus for Stylized Writing
Getting students to write using vivid language is easier said than done. Asking them to “show, not tell” when they... read more

More about Overcoming Obstacles in Teaching Reading and Writing: Podcast Episode 256
During last week’s Arts of Language Podcast episode, Andrew and Julie discussed effective ways to overcome obstacles in teaching reading and... read more

Announcing IEW’s Winter Retreat 2023: A Virtual Writing Workshop for Classroom Teachers
Are you a classroom teacher, hybrid school instructor, co-op facilitator, or tutor? Do you teach your students in person or online?... read more

From Imitation to Innovation: Teaching writing can be easier than you think!
This past Saturday, people from all around the world gathered together virtually to participate in IEW’s online writing conference, From Imitation... read more

Product Spotlight – Portable Walls: Desktop Writing Stations for Information at Your Fingertips
“You Are There” was a popular television show in the 1950s. Aired on CBS and hosted by Walker Cronkite, the program... read more

Off to a Strong Start: Preparing for Writing Instruction with Structure and Style
Arranging desks, unpacking new textbooks, and dusting off classroom libraries in a freshly cleaned classroom gives even the most seasoned veteran... read more

Teaching Writing: Structure and Style—IEW‘s Most Important Message, Part 2: Podcast Episode 58
In this podcast, Andrew and Julie uncover the powerful educational content in IEW's core product, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS). Additionally, they... read more

Reviewing Our Greatest Hits: How Busy Moms Teach Writing: A Conversation with Author and Speaker, Heidi St. John
The most recent “Best of” podcast features popular homeschool speaker and author Heidi St. John. During the podcast Julie Walker and... read more

Training Method Options, Part 4A – Live On-Site Professional Development: Launching Young Writers with Primary Writing with Structure and Style Two-Day Seminar
Primary Writing with Structure and Style was designed specifically with primary teachers in mind. Providing a bridge between Anna Ingham's Blended... 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 Worthwhile Investment
One of the most frequent questions IEW’s customer service receives is “How much parent involvement does this program require?” This is... read more

Author Interview: Lori Verstegen—Helping Students Succeed
There are many options available to teach IEW writing to your students. One of the most enjoyable and successful ways to... read more

How to Progress: Structure and Style for Students
Structure and Style® for Students (SSS) video-based courses build on each other. Although many begin at Level A, older students who... read more

IEW’s Promise: Satisfaction Guaranteed
At IEW we are very committed to our mission. In fact, we are so confident you will love our products, we... read more

Applying IEW across Your School
Like many people, I first became acquainted with IEW while I was homeschooling my children, and I taught IEW in homeschool... 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

Addressing Misunderstandings about the Stylistic Techniques, Part 1: Podcast Episode 278
The Institute for Excellence in Writing is known by many to be the “Structure and Style®” writing company. But what does... read more

Empowered across the Curriculum
Many years ago when I was a much younger, somewhat bewildered homeschool mom standing in front of the IEW® booth at... read more

Why IEW Works for Students with Learning Differences: Podcast Episode 356
Why is IEW a good fit for students with special needs? This week Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker read through testimonials... read more

Customer Service Answers: How do I teach Structure and Style to multiple ages?
“How do I use one writing course for my kids who are all different ages?” We often receive this question in customer... read more

A Classic Resource
Which IEW product has been around nearly as long as the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS) seminar? The Writing Source... read more

The Journey’s End: Written Communication
Which IEW courses will help prepare your students for writing at the collegiate level? Most colleges expect students to be able... read more

IEW Tools for the Journey: Webinars
As part of IEW’s continued commitment to providing parents and teachers with help for the journey of training students to be... read more

Teaching Documentation with Confidence
For those of you who have an older version of the Student Resource Packet (SRP) and have updated to the most... read more

IEW Tools for the Journey: Newsletters
It is August. Many schools and homeschools have already begun the new school year. Within a few weeks schools of all... read more

IEW Accreditation: The Secret Key to Success
Throughout the years, Institute for Excellence in Writing has continued to make its programs easier to implement. When IEW was founded... read more

Ask Andrew Anything: Podcast Episode 210
It’s that time again! Every tenth podcast is set aside so that listeners can “ask Andrew anything.” In podcast Episode 210... 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

Customer Service Answers: A Little Help along the Way
At IEW we want the courses we provide to be ones that will excite and engage both you and your student.... 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

Building a Strong Foundation with Units 1 and 2
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout... read more

Why the Same Nine IEW Units Year after Year?
When students complete their first year of an IEW Structure and Style course whether it is one of our theme-based courses... read more

Planning an IEW Lesson for Multiple Grades
We live in a time where there are many options for educating our students. Since the pandemic more and more families... read more

Checking the Boxes for High School Credit
Many of our customers reach out to customer service as their student approaches high school. They want to be sure that... read more

Where Are They Now? Oliver Mauser: College, Construction, and Effective Communication
From time to time we enjoy highlighting former structure and style students to showcase their achievements both academically and professionally. Students... read more

Why We Do What We Do
We are not merely a curriculum company. At IEW we fervently desire to go beyond simply designing a course of study... read more

Where are they now? Jemma Swift: Author of Forever Riders
Authoring a book is an intimidating prospect. And if it’s illustrated, that introduces even more challenges. For Jemma Swift—homeschooled student, first-time-author,... read more

Taking Notes with Unit 1
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout... read more

Starting Strong in September, Structure and Style Units 1 & 2: Part 2: Podcast Episode 108b
As you begin this new school year, be encouraged to make a great start in public speaking and writing. Andrew reviews... read more

Hot Off the Press! Following Narnia Volume 2: Aslan’s Country
Narnia lovers, rejoice! If you’ve used and loved Following Narnia® Volume 1: The Lion’s Song, you’ll be delighted to know that... read more

Furnishing the Mind with Great Sources – ReadWorks®
IEW is widely recognized for exceptional writing courses for the homeschool, classroom, co-op, and tutorial, providing students with excellent content to... read more

Is it worth the time?
Why watch IEW's parent/teacher training course? Have you ever wondered why IEW’s core product is a parent/teacher training course? Busy homeschoolers often... read more

Understanding Topic-Clincher Sentences with Unit 4
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout... read more

Adjust the Checklist to Sharpen Students’ Saws
The school year is nearing the end, and summer is close at hand. Teachers and families alike eagerly anticipate a chance... read more

Customizing Lessons to Meet Your Students’ Needs – Filtering
“The optimal learning environment is one which allows each child to progress at his own rate allowing sufficient repetition for mastery.”... read more

Assessing Student Growth with Fix It! Grammar
Teachers in school classrooms need opportunities for assessing student growth whether by traditional tests or by some other assessment. Educational assessments... read more

Ask Andrew Anything: Podcast Episode 230
This week on the Arts of Language Podcast marks the release of Episode 230. Every tenth episode features an “Ask Andrew... read more

Sharing Fairy Tales: Time Well Spent and Much Enjoyed
If you ask a child what his favorite part of the school day is, he’s likely to blurt out, “Recess!” But... read more

Nurture Communication—Build Vocabulary!
Every year, new words are added to the dictionary. In 2018, for instance, words like “bougie,” “bingeable,” and “predictive” were added... read more

Ask Andrew Anything: Podcast Episode 330
IEW’s customer service and schools division teams offer support to parents and teachers as they answer questions through emails, chats, and... read more

Where Are They Now? Ethan Sink: Journalist with a Passion for Communication
Occasionally at IEW we receive questions from parents wondering if our curriculum will work for students who are interested in pursuing... read more

IEW Tools for the Journey: Schools Department
As part of IEW’s continued commitment to providing parents and teachers with help for the journey of training students to be... read more

Hot Off the Press! Following Narnia® Volume 1: The Lion’s Song (Third Edition)
Did you grow up loving Narnia? I know I did—I must have read each book in the series ten or twenty... read more

Powerful Courses for College Preparation
In many ways, the high school years are a staging ground for adulthood. For some students high school represents the culmination... read more

Becoming a Read-Aloud Family: Podcast Episode 128
# # Recently Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker had an opportunity to sit down with Sarah Mackenzie, busy homeschool mom, accomplished author, and... read more

Getting Started with Premium Membership
The gift on Day 11 of IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giving is a gift that keeps on giving! Be sure... read more

EZ+1 Reiterated
Accomplished instructor and IEW author Jill Pike has provided invaluable advice to many IEW teachers and parents. Much of it reiterates... read more

How a Hybrid School Found Success with IEW
Louis Lemmon: Hybrid School Administrator Founded in 2005, Lake Pointe Academy is a K–12 University-Model® school of approximately 195 students. Louis Lemmon served... read more

Critiquing Literature with Unit 9
IEW teaches students to write with structure and with style. Style includes vocabulary. Structure is the elements found in compositions. Throughout... read more

Salting the Oats
Teachers understand that students enjoy a good contest. The possibility of winning a coveted prize or a tasty treat can inspire... read more

Perfecting Pieces for Publication—An Interview with Maria Gerber
Behind every great writer is a great editor. This holds true for nearly all great authors, and for us at IEW.... 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

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

Taking a Peek into Windows to the World
IEW’s pathway features a great progression of coursework to help your students develop their writing skills, but those are not the... 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

Structure and Style for Students: What’s in the Box?
By now you’ve likely heard the buzz about Structure and Style for Students, IEW’s new video-based student course. Every day, our... read more

Special Learning Needs and IEW
If you missed the gifts given for Day 8, you can still access these resources: Podcast R14: Learning Differences Struggles and Suggestions, Part... read more

An Interview with Judy Sarden: Practical Help for Homeschoolers
Author, blogger, small business consultant, and homeschool speaker Judy Sarden has a heart for homeschooling families. Out of this love she... read more
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Empowering Gifted Learners and Writers
Many students have a gift for something—a skill or talent they do well or perhaps excel in. This is not the... read more

Premium Membership: Continually Adding Teacher Resources
Investing in IEW’s Premium Membership is an investment in yourself as well as your students. Several fabulous perks have been added... read more

Premium Membership: Where Do I Start?
For many of our new Premium Members, glancing over the additional files now included in their account is like entering a... 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
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 this podcast Andrew and Julie announce the third edition of Bible-Based Writing Lessons. Tune in as the duo walks through the theme-based book, discussing what's different in the new edition and explaining how the Bible stories are so beautifully woven into the units.
Referenced Materials:
- Bible Based-Writing Lessons
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization by Andrew Pudewa
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Dr. James B. Webster
- U.S History-Based Writing Lessons
- Dante's Inferno by Dante Alighieri
† Contains distinctly Christian content
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 dive into inquiry-based learning, which leads to critical thinking skills and problem solving skills. They walk listeners through the nine units of Structure and Style® and how they encourage creativity, thinking skills, and problem solving.
Referenced Materials
- By Heart: The Goodness of Memory audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Episode 439: Active Learning Strategies
- Structure and Style® for Students
- "What the Heck Is Inquiry-Based Learning?"
- "What Is ‘Inquiry-Based Learning’?: Types, Benefits, Examples"
- Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Frontiers in Writing
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 446
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 the school year winds down and summer approaches, parents may be pondering strategies to enrich their students’ writing. Summer is a great time to take a break from regularly scheduled academics and embrace new activities to retain or expand writing skills. In this week’s podcast Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker suggest some creative ways to do just that.
Referenced Materials
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Structure and Style for Students
- Fix It! Grammar
- Episode 368: National Poetry Month
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Storyworth
- IEW Facebook Page
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 373
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
Experience excellence in writing as Laura House, IEW's marketing manager, explains IEW's methodology and walks you through both the structure and style of the nine units. With her insightful knowledge and cheery attitude, Laura provides encouragement and demonstrates how you can apply IEW's method to anything you're learning at home or in the classroom.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied Laura in the Experience Excellence in Writing webinar.
- Laura House
- Student Writing Intensive
- Megan Horst
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Classroom Supplement and Lesson Plans
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course
- U.S History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- World History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Following Narnia Volume 1: The Lion's Song by Laura Bettis
- Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons Lori Verstegen
- Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons Lori Verstegen
- Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales Writing Lessons by Maria Gerber
- All Things Fun & Fascinating by Lori Verstegen
- Bible Heroes Writing Lessons Lori Verstegen
- Portable Walls
- Fix-It! Grammar
- The Phonetic Zoo
- All About Spelling
- Primary Arts of Language
- e-Newsletter
- Webinars
- Forum
- Blog
- IEW's Facebook Page
- Becoming an IEW Instructor
- 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
As you head into the busyness of December, listen to Andrew and Julie walk through Unit 5: Writing from Pictures. Gain confidence moving forward as Andrew and Julie explain the vital role Unit 5 plays in unlocking students' imagination and in developing their thinking skills.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Webinar Archive
- Unit 5: Writing from Pictures
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Dr. James B. Webster
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
Summer is a great time for relaxing, spending time outdoors, and taking a break from the long school year. It can also be a time when students forgot the skills they've learned. This week, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker suggest ways to keep your students writing throughout the summer season. From writing postcards to crafting commentary on recipes, the duo encourages some fun application of writing skills.
Referenced Materials:
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Postcrossing
- Cooking with Structure and Style
- Podcast series: Part 1 | Part 2
- Burmese Stackie Uppie
- Summer 2022 Class Offerings by IEW Accredited Instructors
- Flat Andrew Instructions and Printout
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 honor of National Novel Writing Month, Andrew and Julie interview the young author of Forever Riders, Jemma Swift, and her mother and sister. Since using IEW's materials at a young age, Jemma has cultivated a love and special interest in writing. Learn about Jemma's journey in producing the book and gain some insight on her simple yet vital advice to young writers: never give up!
Referenced Materials:
- National Novel Writing Month
- Forever Riders by Jemma Swift
- Bravery Creek Company
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Shop Bravery Creek
- TRISTAN Publishing
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 this engaging episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the idea of writing across the curriculum with Dr. Kathleen O’Toole, Associate Vice President for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College. They discuss the exciting partnership IEW has formed with the Hillsdale K-12 program that provides guidance and partnership for classical schools as well as teacher training events. They also share the benefits for students and teachers when writing can be integrated with the overall curriculum.
Referenced Materials
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Hillsdale College
- Hillsdale K-12 Education
- Adventures in Writing
- Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence
- K-12 at Home
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 481
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 rolling around, Andrew and Julie turn their attention to teaching and evaluating writing. Join us in this two-part series where the duo hones in on teaching writing. Andrew goes through a series of decisions that need to be made when teaching writing and emphasizes the importance of providing length to your student's assignments as it dictates structure.
Go to Part 2
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "On Teaching and Evaluating Writing, Part 1"
- From Imitation to Innovation
- Homeschooling Help! Facebook Group
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- Structure and Style for Students
- "Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street" by Herman Melville
- Principles of Motivation and Skills Development
- Cooking with Structure and Style
- Facebook Live
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- "The Four Language Arts"
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 seventy-four countries participating, IEW held a virtual writing conference last month. This week, we are posting one of the recordings from that conference. In this recording Andrew and Julie discuss the different ways to teach writing using Structure and Style. Stay tuned until the end, where Andrew provides insightful answers to questions that were submitted live from the audience!
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Teaching Writing Can Be Easier Than You Think!"
- IEW's 2021 Writing Conference
- Writing Conference Resources
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Bible-Based Writing Lessons
- Structure and Style for Students
- Online Classes
- Fix-It! Grammar
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Nurturing Competent Communicators by Andrew Pudewa
- The Phonetic Zoo
- IEW's School Site
- Bible Heroes Writing Lessons
- Primary Arts of Language
- Cooking with Structure and Style
- IEW's Forum
- IEW's Blog
- e-Newsletters
- Michelle Robinson
- "Convert ... to Pens!" by Andrew Pudewa
- Wee Sing
- IEW's YouTube Channel
- Teaching the Classics by Adam and Missy Andrews
- CenterForLit
- "The Colloquium Environment" 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
For this final episode honoring National Novel Writing Month, Andrew and Julie interview teen authors Cecelia and Solomon Schmidt. Having taken IEW's online classes, Cecelia and Solomon acquired the ability to structure paragraphs and write creatively. Gain some insight on both of their journeys in writing their novels, and learn how being read to aloud was key to their success.
Referenced Materials:
- National Novel Writing Month
- The War Wages On by Cecelia Schmidt
- The War Within by Cecelia Schmidt
- Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
- U.S History Bites by Solomon Schmidt
- History Bites Website
- A Guide to Writing Your Novel by Lee Roddy
- Online Classes
- 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
March forward with Andrew and Julie as you enter into Unit 7: Inventive Writing. This week Andrew and Julie discuss the process of Unit 7 and explore its value in unlocking the student's imagination and pairing it with the thinking skills they have developed. Stay tuned until the end to learn about our writing contest this year as well as the prizes that are awarded to the winners!
Referenced Materials:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- High School Essay Intensive (Discontinued)
- IEW Facebook
- Writing Contests
- The 2019 IEW Writing Contest (Ended)
- The Story about Ping by Marjorie Flack (Amazon Affiliate)
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 uncover the powerful educational content in IEW's core product, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS). They also discuss how Andrew first discovered this methodology of writing and explain the purpose of each of the nine units.
GO TO PART 2
Referenced Materials:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, Second Edition
- The Phonetic Zoo
- Level P (Primary) Resources for Grades K–2
- Blended Structure and Style in Composition by James B. Webster, Ph.D.
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning by Anna Ingham, C.M.
- Order of Canada
- Biola Youth Academics
- Bible-Based Writing Lessons by Andrew Pudewa and James B. Webster, Ph.D.
- Experience Excellence in Writing Free Monthly Webinar
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
This is the sixth episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on April 24, 2019, as Episode 188.
Although many schools are shifting away from cursive writing, Andrew and Julie hone in on its great value. While citing studies and speaking from experience, Andrew evaluates the pros of teaching cursive as it can have practical uses as well as neurological benefits.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Pen and Paper: What the Research Says
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- "Top 10 Reasons to Learn Cursive" by Iris Hatfield
- Primary Arts of Language
- Anna Ingham
- Cursive Knowledge by Jill Pike
- "Biological and Psychology Benefits of Learning Cursive" by Dr. William R. Klemm
- Retrain the Brain
- "The Benefits of Cursive Writing" by Sam Blumenfeld
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
Having participated in countless conventions, Andrew and Julie reminisce about past events in IEW's history. Andrew also offers teachers and teaching parents ways to skillfully generate their own lesson plans. Join us this week to hear about the growth of IEW's products, and listen for the questions that Andrew asks himself before imagining lesson plans for his students.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Bible-Based Writing Lessons
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Structure and Style for Students
- Math-U-See
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
Although many schools are shifting away from cursive writing, Andrew and Julie hone in on its great value. While citing studies and speaking from experience, Andrew evaluates the pros of teaching cursive as it can have practical uses as well as neurological benefits.
Referenced Materials:
- Pen and Paper: What the Research Says
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- "Top 10 Reasons to Learn Cursive" by Iris Hatfield
- Primary Arts of Language
- Anna Ingham
- Cursive Knowledge by Jill Pike
- "Biological and Psychology Benefits of Learning Cursive" by Dr. William R. Klemm
- Retrain the Brain
- "The Benefits of Cursive Writing" by Sam Blumenfeld
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 welcome our Lead Educational Consultant, Sharyn Staggers, to the mic this week. Learn how Sharyn came to know IEW, appreciate her role in aiding teachers and schools, and be inspired by her message about the power of the teacher training.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Sharyn Staggers
- IEW Schools Division
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Classroom Supplement and Lesson Plans
- Berwyn School District Study
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, 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 a student or even a teacher, it can be overwhelming to navigate the amount of sources available for a research paper. In this podcast Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss Unit 6: Summarizing Multiple References. Join us as Andrew provides tips and suggestions for collecting, organizing, and summarizing facts from multiple references.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- National History Day
- LexisNexis
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Becoming an IEW Instructor
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 ninth episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on May 18, 2017, as Episode 94.
In this podcast Andrew and Julie address some of the elements of individualized learning. Discover how customizing your students' materials can enhance their learning abilities and motivate them to complete their tasks.
Referenced Materials:
- Individualized Education Program
- Mastery Learning, Ability Development, and Individualized Learning Audio Talk
- The Science and Art of Motivation
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- All Things Fun and Fascinating by Lori Verstegen
- U.S History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Writing Across the Curriculum
- Following Narnia by Laura Bettis
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Product versus Process
- Bible-Based Writing Lessons by Andrew Pudewa and Dr. James B. Webster
- "Mastery Learning, Ability Development, and Individualized Learning" Audio talk
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
Has Andrew ever written a formal complaint letter to a restaurant? Tune into this Ask Andrew Anything to find out! From a question about key word outlines to an inquiry about the most valuable thing a writing student should know, Andrew provides answers with clarity, advice, and, of course, some humor.
Referenced Materials:
- "Ask Andrew Anything"
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Structure and Style for Students
- Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales Writing Lessons
- Cooking with Structure and Style Facebook Live
- 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
What skills do students need to succeed in collegiate writing? Listen to Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss this brand new video course that will prepare your high school and college students for college writing. Hear why Andrew would have called this “How to spy on your professor and figure out his or her writing style and imitate it so you can get a better grade on every paper you turn in”!
Referenced Materials
- University-Ready Writing
- Episode 354: Paper and Pen — What the Research Says
- TRIAC
- Episode 236: The Five Canons of Rhetoric
- APA Style
- MLA Style
- Episode 347: A Citation Pathway
- “Teaching Documentation with Confidence”
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 407
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 student overwhelmed by having too many sources to write from? Join Andrew as he discusses Unit 6 and provides tips and suggestions for collecting, organizing, and summarizing facts from multiple references.
Go To Part 1
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Unit 6 webinar.
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
- EasyBib
- Beowulf
- Writing Source Packet
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- All Things Fun & Fascinating by Lori Verstegen
- Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Following Narnia by Laura Bettis
- Bible-Based Writing Lessons by Andrew Pudewa and James B. Webster, Ph.D.
- Rockets, Radar, and Robotics by Danielle and Nathaniel Olander
- Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales by Maria Gerber
- Portable Walls
- Mini Posters
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Questions Asked
- 23:07- Jenny asks, "I gave my 9th grader source text about Beowulf for a commentary analysis and he used that for his research. He is excited about it and is eager to add in an intro and conclusion and some transitions between paragraphs. Is there a reason why I should hold him back from that at this point if I haven't taught him these skills yet? Or, should I tell him to wait until unit 7 and 8 before adding those elements to make a complete essay?"
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's the purpose of the checklist? This question is often asked by students as well parents. Join Andrew Pudewa as he shares salient points about IEW's stylistic techniques and discusses the powerful benefits that come about when you require the checklist for your students' writing.
Go to Part 1
Referenced Materials:
- Click Here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Unit 6 webinar.
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- The Pudue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
- EasyBib
- Beowulf
- Writing Source Packet
- Theme-Based Writing
- All Things Fun & Fascinating by Lori Vertegen
- Classical Rhetoric through Structure and Style by Adam Muller, Ph.D.
- Rockets, Radar, and Robotics by Danielle and Nathaniel Olander
- Bible-Based Writing Lessons by Andrew Pudewa and James B. Webster, Ph.D.
- Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
- Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- U.S History-Based Writing Lessons
- Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales by Maria Gerber
- Following Narnia by Laura Bettis
- Portable Walls
- Mini Posters
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Questions Asked
- 23:07- Jenny asks "I gave my 9th grader source text about beowulf for a commentary analysis and he used that for his research. He is excited about it and is eager to add in an intro and conclusion and some transitions between paragraphs. Is there a reason why I should hold him back from that at this point if I haven't taught him these skills yet? Or should I tell him to wait until unit 7 and 8 before adding those elements to make a complete essay?"
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 using "said" never allowed? Not at all! In this podcast Andrew and Julie address this and other misunderstandings about implementing IEW's stylistic techniques. Tune in to the first episode of this two-part series as Andrew provides insight about our methodology and explains the powerful purposes of the checklist and banned word lists.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Addressing Misunderstandings about the Stylistic Techniques, Part 1"
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Structure and Style for Students
- Anna Ingham
- Aesop Fables
- "What to Do with Foxes - A Sonnet" 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
Last week, Andrew and Julie discussed the four forms of relevancy when it comes to motivation. Sharing with you their knowledge based on experience, Andrew and Julie discuss how motivation relates to classroom management. From establishing connections with your students to minimizing distractions for them, Andrew provides strategies to help you in managing the classroom.
GO TO PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Anna Ingham
- Dr. James B. Webster
- "Mixed-Age Classrooms" by Andrew Pudewa
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Structure and Style for the Classroom Level 1A
- 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
In this podcast Andrew and Julie interview longtime friend and homeschool mom Pam Barnhill. Pam explains how she came to create her own podcast and shares her goal of fostering an environment of truth, goodness, and beauty.
Referenced Materials:
- Pam Barnhill's Website
- Pam's Podcasts
- Pam's Podcast with Angelina Stanford
- Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Math-U-See
- Advent to Epiphany Morning Time Plans
- Your Morning Basket: "How to Transform Your Homeschool One Morning at a Time" by Pam Barnhill with Cindy Rollins
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization by Andrew Pudewa
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales Writing Lessons by Maria Gerber
- Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- The Phonetic Zoo
- All About Spelling
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
Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office has partnered with IEW to provide the recommended writing curriculum for their member and curriculum schools. IEW will produce a brand new curriculum aligned with Hillsdale’s K-12 Program Guides for third to eighth grades. Join Andrew Pudewa, Julie Walker, and their special guest Dr. Kathleen O’Toole, Assistant Provost for K-12 Education, as they discuss the partnership and the new writing curriculum!
Referenced Materials
- Dr. Kathleen O’Toole
- Hillsdale College K-12 Education
- Hillsdale Schools Locations
- Barney Family Foundation
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Adventures in Writing
- IEW Schools Division
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 382
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
Conclude this podcast series with Andrew and Julie as they discuss evaluating writing. With the current mainstream grading system not being an effective motivator for students, the duo explores alternatives to providing good and insightful feedback on your student's writing and encourages teachers and teaching parents to nurture an environment of excellence.
GO TO PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "On Teaching and Evaluating Writing, Part 2"
- "The Art and Science of Motivation"
- Article
- Audio talk
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2
- Blended Structure and Style in Composition by Dr. James B. Webster
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Structure and Style® for Students
- "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
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 answer the question: What should I buy? They simplify the steps for implementing IEW’s Structure and Style materials in your homeschool or classroom.
Referenced Materials
- Freedomshipping
- How to Get Started with IEW
- Request a Magalog
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Free Writing Lessons
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Structure and Style for Students Overview
- Get Started with IEW video
- IEW.com/Schools
- Episode 382: Announcing IEW’s Partnership with Hillsdale College
- Adventures in Writing
- Discoveries in Writing
- Frontiers in Writing
- Wonders of Science Writing Lessons
- Bible-Based Writing Lessons
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 433
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 is time for another Ask Andrew Anything episode! Join us this week as Julie Walker asks Andrew Pudewa questions submitted by our listeners. Along with helpful tips and insightful suggestions on helping students with spelling and poetry writing, Andrew addresses artificial intelligence (AI) writing technology and what parents and teachers need to be aware of.
Referenced Materials
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- The Phonetic Zoo
- Spelling and the Brain audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Structure and Style for Students
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Episode 376: A Necessary Conversation about Artificial Intelligence
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 380
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
The time has come again when Julie tries to stump Andrew with questions submitted from our listeners. From inquiries on literature to a question regarding Andrew's tie count in Structure and Style for Students (SSS), Andrew provides answers with insight, suggestions, and a little bit of humor.
Referenced Materials:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- The Phonetic Zoo
- Akeelah and the Bee
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Portable Walls for the Essayist (Discontinued)
- Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
- Structure and Style for Students
- Teaching the Classics by Adam and Missy Andrews
- The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association
- Writing Contests
- National History Day
- IEW's 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
While many writing programs begin with a blank page, IEW understands the importance of developing students' thinking skills before asking them to write creatively. In this episode Andrew talks through the ins and outs of Unit 7, Inventive Writing, while explaining the methodology behind it.
Go To Part 1
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Unit 7 webinar.
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Blog
- IEW Families Forum
- IEW Teachers Forum
- Monthly e-Newsletter
- Andrew's Engagements
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 many writing programs begin with a blank page, IEW understands the importance of developing students' thinking skills before asking them to write creatively. In this episode Andrew talks through the ins and outs of Unit 7, Inventive Writing, while explaining the methodology behind it.
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Unit 7 webinar.
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Blended Structure and Style in Composition by James B. Webster, Ph.D.
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
When writers gather information from outside sources, it is important to give credit where credit is due and to cite the sources. Although this is important, learning to cite sources in various formats can be overwhelming, especially for younger students. This week, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker welcome IEW's Senior Product Manager, Denise Kelley, to speak about documentation. In this episode Denise discusses how IEW's products utilize the EZ+1 method to teach documentation by gradually teaching students how to cite sources in a step-by-step process.
Referenced Materials
- Denise Kelley
- Live Online Writing Classes from IEW
- EasyBib®
- Citation Machine®
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Purdue OWL®
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 347
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
How can teachers and teaching parents teach writing confidently? This week, Andrew and Julie address the question. Andrew first explains the complex task of writing. Once teachers understand the process, they can then break it down into manageable steps that make the skill both teachable and learnable. Be encouraged by the episode and learn how IEW's methodology equips you to separate the complexity of writing so that you and your students can find success!
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Structure and Style for Students
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- The Paideia Proposal
- Podcast Episode 314: Imitation as the Foundation for Innovation, Creativity, and Development
- "Pen and Paper"
- "Nurturing Competent Communicators"
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 339
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 Critiques. In this two-part webinar, Andrew explains the purpose of Unit 9 and how to teach it to your students, walks you through a Unit 9 sample composition, describes the difference between a fiction and a non-fiction critique, and much more.
GO TO PART 2
Referenced Materials:
- "Book Report" from "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown!"
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Unit 9 webinar.
- Webinar Archive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- High School Essay Intensive
- Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
- Classroom Poster
- Mini posters
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Writing Source Packet
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 an episode number ends in zero, then that means it's time for another Ask Andrew Anything! Join us this week as Julie asks Andrew questions submitted by our listeners. Pulling from his experience, Andrew provides insightful and informative answers to questions ranging from how to know if you're expecting too much from your student, to how to help when the source text seems overwhelming.
Referenced Materials:
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Bible-Based Writing Lessons
- Susan Barton
- "Nurturing Competent Communicators"
- Fix It!™ Grammar
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Paradise Lost by John Milton
- Printing with Letter Stories [Blackline Masters]
- Cursive Knowledge
- Paper and Pen: What the Research Says audio talk 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.
After walking the pathway of all nine units, your student can begin to delve deeper into writing about literature. Join us as Andrew and Julie discuss IEW's Response to Literature and Literary Analysis models. Learn the difference between the two models and gain insight on how to help your student make a personal connection with literature in their writing.
Referenced Materials:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Student Resource Packet
- Teaching the Classics by Adam Andrews and Missy Andrews
- Episode 187: Advanced Essay Models
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing
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 announce the prompts for the 2025 IEW Writing Contest. Andrew talks about why students should participate in writing contests, and Julie shares a story from her past about the importance of following instructions. Be sure to listen for the special prizes for the tenth annual IEW Writing Contest!
Referenced Materials
- Writing Contests
- 2025 IEW Writing Contest
- “The Benefits of Entering Writing Contests”
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Transcript of Episode 469
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 are joined by Heidi Thomas and Joseph Tabenkin. Heidi is part of IEW's Product Development team. This past year she and her team have worked alongside Joseph, a product and software developer, to create IEW Gradebook, an online tool designed to help teachers grade more efficiently and effectively. Listen in for exciting details!
Referenced Materials
- IEW Gradebook
- Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- “Simplify Grading with IEW Gradebook”
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Heidi Thomas
- Joseph Tabenkin
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 421
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
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
Keeping up with tradition, Andrew responds to inquiries submitted by our podcast listeners in another "Ask Andrew Anything." This week, Andrew addresses questions about the checklist, grading, teaching in a classroom, and much more! Whether you're a parent, a co-op tutor, or a full-time school teacher, you'll glean much from Andrew's insightful answers. Also, Andrew reads a sweet letter he received in the mail from an IEW student!
Referenced Materials:
- Structure and Style for Students
- #IEWFlatAndrew
- Preventing Evaporation — Strategies for Summer Writing
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style Overview DVD
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Anna Ingham
- IEW's Schools Division
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 330
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
Last week, Andrew and Julie discussed creating the right listening and speaking environment for English language learners. Continuing the discussion, the duo turn their attention to reading and writing. Discover how reading the studied language helps the learner with organization, learn how key word outlines help to better understand the text, and understand how the checklist enables the learner to recognize parts of speech and style techniques.
GO TO PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "IEW and the English Language Learner, Part 2"
- Anna Ingham
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- Structure and Style for Students
- Grammarly
- Fix-It! Grammar
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- 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
What do Michael Phelps, Terry Bradshaw, and Michael Jordan have in common? In this episode Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Although students with ADHD face some challenges, there are also advantages! As a mother to two sons diagnosed with ADHD, Julie shares helpful research, advice, and personal experiences.
Referenced Materials
- DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD
- How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler
- Nurturing Competent Communicators audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 362
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
Join us in this podcast as Andrew and Julie sit down and have a conversation about the upcoming school year. Whether you're a full-time schoolteacher or a homeschooling parent, be invigorated in your quest for this new school year as Andrew provides advice on preparing your classroom and encourages you to keep moving forward.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Classroom Posters
- Primary Arts of Language
- Portable Walls for Structure and Style Students
- Tools for Young Writers
- Portable Walls: Grammar on the Go
- Portable Walls for the Essayist [Discontinued]
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning by Anna Ingham, C.M.
- Stucture and Style Overview DVD
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Becoming an IEW Instructor
- Classroom Supplement and Lesson Plans
- 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
With summer just around the corner, many parents and teachers are wondering how to help their students to continue building their writing and thinking skills. Tune in to this week's podcast as Andrew and Julie provide suggestions on how to incorporate and encourage learning in a fun manner throughout the summer.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Summer Writing Fun with Structure and Style"
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- IEW's Facebook Page
- "Tips & Tricks for Teaching through the Nine Units"
- Writing Contests
- Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
- Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls
- Fix-It! Grammar
- Structure and Style for Students
- Free Language Arts Lessons from IEW
- IEW's 2021 Writing Conference
- IEW's Forum
- 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
Join Andrew Pudewa as he walks you through Unit 8, the daunting essay. Andrew will take you through the step-by-step process of crafting an essay so that you can understand the basic structure, discussing the various essay types and their differences. To ensure maximum understanding, he will also guide you through a practicum assignment.
Go To Part 2
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Unit 8 webinar.
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Student Writing Intensive by Andrew Pudewa and Jill Pike
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning by Anna Ingham
- Portable Walls for the Essayist
- Webinar Archive
- Mini Posters
- Magnum Opus Magazine
Questions Asked
- 18:40-Anne asks "My 11-year-old boy is writing his essay on 'medieval sports.' What would be a (good) question?"
- 21:21-Deborah asks "I'm not clear about the difference between the essay in unit 6 and 8. In both, we state our opinion in the conclusion. Can you explain?"
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
Many of IEW’s podcast episodes in 2023 follow this year’s theme of exploring how IEW can help students with learning differences. Every tenth episode features questions submitted by our podcast listeners. Join us as Julie Walker presents Andrew Pudewa with questions from parents regarding their struggling students. Offering practical tips, he helps equip parents to assist their students in improving their writing and spelling skills.
Referenced Materials
- Learning Differences? IEW can help!
- Episode 159: IEW and Dyslexia: A Conversation with Susan Barton
- The Dyslexic Advantage: A Conversation with Brock and Fernette Eide
- Episode 356: Why IEW Works for Students with Learning Differences
- Episode 363: IEW Helps Students with Dyslexia
- Episode 362: ADHD — Strategies for Success
- The Phonetic Zoo
- Structure and Style for Students
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Fix It! Grammar
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 370
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 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.
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
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
Over the years, IEW has grown tremendously as its writing method is taught in various educational settings. The company offers an abundance of resources, from encouraging blog posts to effective curriculum. How did IEW get to where it is now? This week, Andrew and Julie go back to where it all began and unpack the story of how Andrew discovered the Structure and Style method of teaching writing. Give this episode a listen to learn about the success of the writing method and to understand our mission of equipping teachers and teaching parents.
Referenced Materials:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning by Anna Ingham
- Blended Structure and Style in Composition by Dr. James B. Webster
- Structure and Style for Students
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Classical Conversations
- University Model-Schools International
- Lead to Win Podcast
- Berwyn School District Study
- Rocklin School District Study
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 329
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.
Often students as well as parents struggle with moving forward on the checklist. In this two-part episode, Andrew provides salient points on the stylistic techniques and offers advice, from being strict with the checklist to not drowning your students with more than they can handle.
Go To Part 2
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Sailing Through Style webinar.
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Blended Structure & Style in Composition by James B. Webster
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Mini Posters
- Anna Ingham
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning by Anna Ingham
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Portable Walls
- Portable Walls for Essayist
- Tools for Young Writers
- Portable Walls: Grammar on the Go
- IEW Writing Tools
- A Word Write Now
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 in this episode of "Ask Andrew Anything" as Andrew responds to questions submitted by our podcast listeners. Offering helpful tips and humorous insight, Andrew explains ways to motivate students and where to get started with IEW.
Referenced Materials:
- Humor in Teaching
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Following Narnia Volume 1: The Lion's Song by Laura Bettis
- U.S History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales Writing Lessons by Maria Gerber
- All Things Fun & Fascinating by Lori Verstegen
- Bible Heroes Writing Lessons Lori Verstegen
- Why Gender Matters by Leonard Sax, Ph.D. (Amazon Affiliate)
- Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day
- The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagoner (Amazon Affiliate)
- Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker, Ph.D. (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Underground History of American Education by John Taylor Gatto (Amazon Affiliate)
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Writing Across the Curriculum
QUESTIONS ASKED:
2:11 - Shannon asks, "I have a girl, but she would rather be digging in the dirt, doing science experiments, or playing in her tree house than doing sit-down work, especially writing. How can you make IEW work for a kinesthetic/tactile learner that prefers to play and experiment?"
9:24 - Karen asks, "I have high school students, and I use a literature-based English curriculum. The books are fantastic, but my students are reluctant to do the reading outside of class time. They also do not want to do other homework outside of class time. Do you have suggestions for motivating students to work independently?"
14:11 - Julie asks, "My son has a short attention span when it comes to lesson time. How can I help with that but still let him build forts?"
16:45 - Angela asks, "I've been a homeschooling mom for over ten years. Normally I'm not nervous about how my kids are doing in the grand scheme of things. Dealing with high school, however, has been a totally different story. How do you know for sure that this is really enough? I think about how my son will succeed in life, what is he doing after high school and college. How can I really know that what we're doing is enough and all will be well?"
23:26 - Julie asks, "How do you deal with a moody and incompliant teen?"
27:22 - Brianne asks, "Where do I start? What do I need in order to teach my middle school student to be prepared for high school writing?"
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 IEW a good fit for students with special needs? This week, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker read through testimonials from teaching parents to help answer the question. Tune in to this inspiring episode and learn how IEW's Structure and Style methodology breaks the complex task of writing into small, manageable steps that teach students the process and give them the confidence to succeed.
Referenced Materials
- Learning Differences? IEW can help!
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style for Students
- Barton Reading & Spelling System
- Podcast Episode with Susan Barton
- Podcast Episodes with Brock and Fernette Eide
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Premium Membership
- The Phonetic Zoo
- Principles of Motivation and Skills Development audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Fix It! Grammar
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 356
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 two-part podcast, Andrew reviews the methodology behind and procedure for successfully teaching Unit 3: Retelling Narrative Stories. After a brief overview of the unit, Andrew will walk step-by-step through an assignment, demonstrating Unit 3 methods and concepts for both the teacher/parent and student.
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Units 3 webinar.
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- Premium Subscription
- Free Aesop Fables Online
- Anna Ingham
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Blended Structure and Style in Composition by Dr. James B. Webster, Ph.D
- Mini Posters
- Classroom Posters
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Writing Source Packet
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- IEW Families Forum
- IEW Teachers Forum
- Monthly e-Newsletter
- Blog
QUESTIONS ASKED:
- 24:04 - Liz asks, "What are your recommendations for supporting a parent whose first language is not English?"
- 25:09 - Amy asks, "as the students use computers more and more, I'm finding that the rough draft is being typed on the computer, edited on the computer, and then printed as a final draft. Should I require my students to print the rough draft, mark it up, correct it, and then re-print it?"
- 27:12 - Tracy asks, "I have a fourth grader doing IEW along with two middle school students, still now working on the who/which and adding -ly next week. The two older are doing -ly, who/which, strong verb, and because clause. How do I catch him up and not make him feel we are going too fast?"
- 28:59 - Savina asks, "Regarding the source can you use a child's own story as a starting point?"
- 30:41 - Michelle asks, "When asking questions and you have more than 3 words to answer, can you add the additional info into a new number?"
- 31:26 - Christina asks, "I'm having a hard time getting my child to re-tell the story. He is eight."
- 32:39 - Janet asks, "Do you need to write a line in the outline for each sentence?"
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
Structure and Style is a registered trademark of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, L.L.C.
Happy 30th birthday, IEW! In this special Ask Andrew Anything episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker are joined in the studio by IEW staff members from Oklahoma and around the United States. Listen as Andrew answers questions from listeners presented by the live audience, including how to apply Structure and Style to other languages, how to teach multiple ages, how to translate IEW skills to other assignments, and many others.
Referenced Materials
- IEW Team
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
- EZ+1
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Checklist Generator™
- “Reading: Ideas to Encourage Your Students”
- Bark of the Bog Owl
- Bible-Based Writing Lessons
- Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level C
- Dual Enrollment with Christian Halls International
- NCFCA
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- “The Value of the KWO”
- Episode 376: A Necessary Conversation about Artificial Intelligence
- Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Episode 333: Letter to the Editor
- IEW Online Classes
- Link to Episode 450 Video
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 450
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 seventeenth episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on November 8, 2016, as Episode 68.
Branching off from last week's special education series, Andrew and Julie open up this conversation by discussing Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). Tune in to learn what it is, the challenges involved, and how IEW can be optimized so that students will have opportunities to use their abilities to the fullest.
Referenced Materials:
- SPED Struggles and Suggestions
- Giftedness Defined
- The Myth of Laziness by Mel Levine, M.D.
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- The Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning by Anna Ingham
- "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).
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
Many homeschool families find community by joining a homeschool co-op. Co-ops are an opportunity for teaching parents and students to seek encouragement and educational support. In this week's episode, Andrew and Julie discuss the different types of co-ops, share some of their benefits, and offer resources for those currently enrolled in or interested in joining a co-op.
REFERENCED MATERIALS
- Fatherhood and Family – A Dad Talk
- "Mixed-Age Classrooms" by Andrew Pudewa
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- Your Morning Basket
- "How We Started Our Own Classical Co-op" by Pam Barnhill
- Kristi Clover
- Do you use a homeschool co-op? video by Kristi Clover
- Structure and Style for Students
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Live Online Writing Classes from IEW
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 344
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 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.
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
As you near the end of the school year, get the information and motivation you need to finish strong with Unit 9: Formal Critiques. In this two-part webinar, Andrew explains the purpose of Unit 9 and how to teach it to your students, walks you through a Unit 9 sample composition, describes the difference between a fiction and a non-fiction critique, and much more.
GO TO PART 1
Referenced Materials:
- "Book Report" from "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown!"
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Unit 9 webinar.
- Webinar Archive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- Windows to the World by Lesha Myers
- The Four Deadly Errors
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- High School Essay Intensive
- Aesop's Fables
- Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Genghis Khan and His Hawk by James Baldwin
- The Story of Gelert
- Micro Business for Teens by Carol Topp
- Classroom Poster
- Mini Posters
- Writing Source Packet
- Forums
- Newsletters
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Blog
QUESTIONS ASKED:
- 6:03 - Jennifer asks "How do you know a high schooler is ready for literary analysis? What should I be looking for in his essays to know he's proficient? How many times do they need to go through the different units before they're ready to go onto something like Windows to the World"
- 11:31 - Heather asks "Do IEW's material ever teach a three level outline?"
- 12:57 - Sherry asks "Any tips for students to write in the present tense when writing about the story?"
- 14:55 - Anne-Marie asks "In Genghis Khan and his Hawk, my son felt that the death of the hawk was needless. He felt that loyalty is usually rewarded but not in this story. Is his opinion valid because it seems the death of the hawk makes the story so emotional?"
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 1 of this new three part series, Andrew shares two of the seven important lessons he has learned in almost thirty years of teaching to help teachers and students alike excel in their skills. With characteristic wisdom and insight, Andrew offers valuable tips for teaching any subject from music to writing with confidence.
GO TO Part 2 | Part 3
Referenced Materials:
- Webinar Archive
- The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential
- Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Underground History of American Education: A School Teacher's Intimate Investigation Into the Problem of Modern Schooling by John Taylor Gatto (Amazon Affiliate)
- Process Versus Product
- A River Runs Through It and Other Stories by Norman Maclean (Amazon Affiliate)
- Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (Amazon Affiliate)
- Principles of Motivation and Skills Development Audio Talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Dr. James B. Webster
- U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- The Aeneid by Virgil (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Illiad by Homer (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Odyssey of Homer by Homer (Amazon Affiliate)
- Andrew Kern
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 Live Ask Andrew Anything episode, Julie Walker asks Andrew Pudewa questions submitted by listeners, including how to follow the topic-clincher rule, what to do when a student uses a dress-up incorrectly, how to help visual learners with communication skills, and how to encourage perseverance and excellence. The episode ends with Andrew reading an assignment from one of his current students who claims to hate writing. Be sure to listen all the way to the end!
Referenced Materials
- “Understanding Topic-Clincher Sentences with Unit 4”
- Strengthening Structure Models for IEW Structural Units
- Review of SSS-1A
- “Why Hire an Editor?”
- IEW’s Winter Retreat 2025: A Virtual Writing Workshop for Teachers
- University-Ready Writing
- From Copywork to Composition: Teaching Writing through Imitation audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- “Process versus Product”
- Adventures in Writing
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons free lessons
- Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level A
- Structure and Style for Students free lessons
- Nurturing Competent Communicators audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Link to Episode 460 video
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 460
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 of "Ask Andrew Anything," IEW's ingenious leader answers questions from our latest Facebook Party, such as "Do you recommend the use of a thesaurus?" and "Is there any creative writing course with IEW?". What would your question be if you could ask Andrew anything?
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- IEW Facebook Page
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- A Word Write Now by Loranna Schwacofer
- U.S History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Pen and Paper
- The Four Deadly Errors
- The Five Canons of Rhetoric
- Free Aesop Fables Online
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization by Andrew Pudewa
- Fix it! Grammar by Pamela White
- 24:01-"If you gathered methane gas from cows for two years, would all the gas be able to launch a rocket to space?"
- Answer at AAA Episode 30
- Please Rate and Review our Podcast on iTunes
- Questions asked:
- 2:27 - Carrie Sue asks "I have four children. My eldest is 12 and writing has been a struggle so I have never taught it. Now he has improved and is about the same grade-level and is reading and writing as my 10 year old. Where would I begin to teach writing and could my 8 year old, who is an advance reader, join them too?"
- 7:04 - Ashley asks "Do you recommend the use of a thesaurus and at what age?"
- 9:57 - Leslie asks "I love all your products. My son is needing a vocabulary program. What do you suggest?"
- 13:22 - Clare asks "I have a 12 year old son who insists that he type his writing assignments. I am big fan of handwriting, as it seems to be a lost art. What do you think?"
-
16:36 - Courtney asks "How long is it okay to scribe for them? I've been following Jill's advice on scribing for them for as long as needed but sometimes it seems as though they will never learn to do it themselves. I am doing U.S History-Based Writing Lessons with my 13 year old dyslexic daughter, along with my 12 year old. Both of them need quite a bit of handholding."
-
18:19 - Lisa asks "On average how long would you expect it to take a 5th grader to do a key word outline and write there own rough draft from their key word outline? This is out first year with TWSS and it's taking a very long time. Do you ever have students try and write their rough draft from scratch because they can't remember what the key word outline means? What's the best thing to do in this case?"
-
22:04 - Brandy asks "Is there any creative writing course with IEW? "
-
29:06- Kristen asked "Our freshman son has some vision issues which delayed his reading and impacted his spelling and writing. We have some of your products. Am I right in thinking slow and steady wins the race or is there something specific I should be doing to help his written communication become easier? "
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 welcome teen author Taylor Bennett for another podcast honoring National Novel Writing Month. As a lover of writing, Taylor enjoyed sitting down and writing her first novel: Porch Swing Girl. In this episode Taylor shares her experience with writing her book and offers tips from being responsible with your deadlines to staying focused on learning the craft of writing.
Referenced Materials:
- National Novel Writing Month
- Taylor Bennett's Website
- Mountain Brook Ink
- A Name Unknown by Roseanna White
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- Mother-Daughter Book Club Collection by Heather Vogel Frederick
- Susan May Warren
- Oregon Christian Writers
- Portable Walls
- Featuring of Taylor Bennett on Go Teen Writers
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Taylor's Instagram
- Taylor's Facebook Page
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
After the fun we had with our 400th episode live question and answer, we invited some of our affiliates to join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker for this live Q & A episode. This week Mandi Malz asked for Andrew’s advice for preparing a student for college. Alicia Brown asked which of Andrew’s articles in However Imperfectly is the most vital lesson in the book and what aspects make it particularly significant. Listen for these and other questions sent in by listeners.
Referenced Materials
- Handmade Homeschooler
- Episode 385: Hacking High School
- Unbound
- Christian Halls International
- Write with Mrs. Brown
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Premium Membership
- IEW Schools Division
- Portable Walls for Structure and Style Students
- Virtual Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- The Great TWSS Adventure
- Structure and Style for Students
- Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level B Premier Package
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- IEW Online Classes
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 410
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 many, August is a month of anticipation as the start of the school year approaches. In this week's episode, Andrew and Julie address teachers who will be using IEW's method in the classroom. From tips on decorating the classroom to suggestions on equipping yourself, you’ll learn some practical and effective preparations for a successful year of teaching with Structure and Style!
Referenced Materials:
- Premium Membership
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Structure and Style for Students
- Classroom Posters
- Portable Walls
- IEW School Site
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Implementation Coaches
- Structure and Style for Students: A Trustworthy Way to Teach Your Students to Write
- Webinar Archive
- "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
- Structure and Style Overview
- Nurturing Success: Serving Schools of Every Kind
- "Off to a Strong Start: Preparing for Writing Instruction with Structure and Style" by Jean B. Nichols
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 as Andrew and Julie continue the conversation on success in teaching writing to students in special education. This week, Andrew and Julie walk through the nine units of our Structure and Style® program, describe how it's applicable to all students regardless of their obstacles, and share encouragement to parents and teachers to take everything one step at a time.
GO TO PART 1
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "More about Overcoming Obstacles in Teaching Reading and Writing"
- Success in Teaching Writing: A Special Education Writing Conference from IEW
- Primary Arts of Language
- Structure and Style for Students
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- "The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing"
- However Imperfectly
- The Dyslexic Advantage: A Conversation with Brock and Fernette Eide
- IEW and Dyslexia: A Conversation with Susan Barton
- Glenn Doman
- The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential
- Special needs? IEW can help!
- "Understanding Child Brain Development"
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 week ago, IEW held a virtual conference on success in teaching writing to students in special education. For this two-part series, Andrew and Julie will recount that conference and discuss teaching students with obstacles in reading and writing. Whether your student is dyslexic or experiencing auditory problems, gain insight from Andrew as he shares the importance of surrounding your students with encouragement, and learn the value of creating a language rich environment.
Go to Part 2
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- "Overcoming Obstacles in Teaching Reading and Writing"
- Success in Teaching Writing: A Special Education Writing Conference from IEW
- The Dyslexic Advantage: A Conversation with Brock and Fernette Eide
- IEW and Dyslexia: A Conversation with Susan Barton
- Glenn Doman
- The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential
- Living with Dyslexia—An Interview with Chris Pudewa
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
- The Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rogers
- Special needs? IEW can help!
- "Understanding Child Brain Development"
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 you teaching through Unit 5, Writing from Pictures, and interested to know the ins and outs of the unit? Join Andrew Pudewa in part two of this webinar recording as he discusses the how-to of Unit 5, explaining both the process and purpose of the unit.
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Units 5 webinar.
- Webinar Archive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- Magnus Opus Magazine
- Premium Subscription
- Mini Posters
- Dr. James B. Webster
- IEW Teachers Forum
- Monthly e-Newsletter
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 begin this new school year, be encouraged to make a great start in public speaking and writing. Andrew reviews Units 1 and 2 of the IEW syllabus, Note Making and Outlines and Writing from Notes, giving you tips and tricks for easy implementation. Learn how to lay a solid foundation for your students' coming year.
Go to Part 1
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Units 1 and 2 webinar.
- Webinar Archive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- Premium Subscription
- Free Aesop Fables Online
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Student Writing Intensive
- Models for Imitation
- Handwriting versus typewriting: Effect on word recall by Anne Mangen, Liss G. Anda, Gunn H. Oxborough, and Kolbjørn Brønnick
- Paper and Pen: What the Research Says
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Audio Talk
- Article
- Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing:
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Writing Source Packet
- IEW Families Forum
- IEW Teachers Forum
- Monthly e-Newsletter
- Tips & Tricks for Teaching Through the Nine Units
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
Structure and Style is a trademark of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, L.L.C.
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
Are you teaching through Unit 5, Writing from Pictures, and interested to know the ins and outs of the unit? Join Andrew Pudewa in part one of this webinar recording as he discusses the how-to of Unit 5, explaining both the process and purpose of the unit.
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Units 5 webinar.
- Webinar Archive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- Mini Posters
- The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg
- Dr.James B. Webster
- Good Dog, Carl: A Classic Board Book by Alexandra Day
- Magnus Opus Magazine
- Premium Subscription
- IEW Families Forum
- IEW Teachers Forum
- Monthly e-Newsletter
- Questions from Audience
- Kelly asks, "Do you think using pictures from actual historical events limit the student's creativity?"
- Kim asks, "What is the pluperfect tense?"
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
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
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
"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
In this podcast, Andrew and Julie uncover the powerful educational content in IEW's core product, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS). Additionally, they discuss each one of the stylistic techniques as well as the supplemental contents of the Premium Subscription.
GO TO PART 1
Referenced Materials:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style, Second Edition
- Redwall by Brian Jacques (Amazon Affiliate Link)
- Mini Posters
- Student Resource Notebook
- IEW Audio Downloads
- Free Downloadable Content
Remember to send your questions to Podcast@IEW.com, and perhaps yours will be answered the next time we Ask Andrew Anything (AAA).
In this podcast Andrew answers questions from our listeners as well as questions our Customer Service Team frequently receives. Join us for another round of inquiries where Andrew offers helpful insight on a variety of topics from how to implement Suzuki method when teaching piano, to how to choose appropriate pieces for copywork.
Referenced Materials:
- IEW and Dyslexia
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (Amazon Affiliate)
- Pamela White
- Fix It! Grammar
- Suzuki Association of the Americas
- Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course Level B
- High School Essay Intensive
- Student Writing Intensive
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Becoming MomStrong by Heidi St. John
QUESTIONS ASKED:
1:18 - Jennifer asks, "In Unit 3, I have always found it confusing to list all the characters in the story under Characters and Setting in the key word outline. When we go to write the first paragraph, sometimes including a character that only shows up later in the story is challenging. Is it okay to only mention that character in the Conflict and Problem or Climax and Resolution sections, or is it good to try to mention all the characters in the first paragraph?”
3:25 - Misty asks, “Thanks for the great info! I was listening to the dyslexia podcast. When you talk about a dyslexic child listening to audiobooks, should they be trying to follow along with the print, or just simply listening to the story?”
6:06 - Christine asks, “Should we have commas after an -ly adverb opener?”
8:27 - Amy asks, “My question for you is regarding teaching my kids how to play the piano. I have listened to your podcasts talking about the Suzuki method and it intrigues me. My oldest is taking piano lessons; however, his teacher is retiring soon. She teaches using the traditional method, which is how I was taught piano. The nearest Suzuki teacher is an hour drive away. I’m wondering what your opinion is on a parent attempting to teach the Suzuki method at home. Of course I would read Suzuki’s books to gain better insight, but I wouldn’t have any formal training in the method. Can you help?”
11:52 - Wendy asks, “I am teaching a group of 16 students through the Continuation Course Level B. They are writing papers about famous people from history. The sources that Mr. Pudewa has required them to write are from a book, an encyclopedia/periodical, and whatever other material they might choose such as Internet or video. One of the questions I received was "Can I choose a Kindle book?" This started me questioning what I should allow. Since the filming of the series, much technology has come into play.”
16:37 - Customers frequently ask our Customer Service team, “Prior to Unit 6, how does a student put a word-for-word quotation on the key word outline?”
17:57 - Customers frequently ask our Customer Service team, “When a student with no previous IEW experience begins with High School Essay Intensive and then wants more help with writing, what program would be best to move on to next?”
20:10 - Customers frequently ask our Customer Service team, “What is the purpose of copywork and how do our families and teachers choose the appropriate pieces for students to copy?”
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 teachers and parents it can be challenging to acknowledge that not all children can be taught the same way. In Part 2 of "However Imperfectly," Andrew addresses the importance of adaptability by teaching at the point of need.
GO TO Part 1 | Part 3
Referenced Materials:
- Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Underground History of American Education: A School Teacher's Intimate Investigation Into the Problem of Modern Schooling by John Taylor Gatto (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential
- Process Versus Product
- Understanding Child Brain Development by Matthew and Carol Newell
- SPED Struggles and Suggestions
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Student Writing Intensive
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Why Johnny Can't Write: How to Improve Writing Skills by Myra J. Linden and Arthur Whimbey (Amazon Affiliate)
- Why Kids Can't Write Article by Dana Goldstein
- The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Flickering Mind: Saving Education from the False Promise of Technology by Todd Oppenheimer (Amazon Affiliate)
- Pen and Paper
- Podcast Series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Audio Talk
- Article
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, Dr. David Wilkes joins The Arts of Language podcast. As a professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, David is passionate about aiding students in discovering truth and knowledge through literature and writing. Learn about David's role at the university and gain insight as David discusses the implications of a Christian worldview.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Dr. David Wilkes
- Beowulf translated by J.R.R. Tolkien (Amazon Affiliate)
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (Amazon Affiliate)
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (Amazon Affiliate)
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Amazon Affiliate)
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- The Function of Criticism at the Present Time by Matthew Arnold (Amazon Affiliate)
- If you have any questions for Dr. David Wilkes, you can contact him at Dwilkes@mvnu.edu.
† Contains distinctly Christian content
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
While Andrew is away, Julie chats with homeschool mom and author Heidi St. John. After homeschooling for many years, Heidi pulled together her experience and wrote The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance. Join us as Heidi shares her goal of strengthening families and offers her advice to busy moms who feel overwhelmed with the tasks at hand.
Referenced Materials:
- Heidi St. John's Website
- Podcast with Kristin Boutross
- Podcast with Laura House
- But, but, but ... What about Grammar? audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Student Writing Intensive
- IEW Schools
- Janet Spitler
- The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance by Heidi St. John
- Books by Heidi St. John
- The Firmly Planted Resource Center
- Heidi's Instagram
- Heidi's Facebook Page
- Click here to enter the Student Writing Intensive giveaway (ends January 30, 2018)
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
Answering technical IEW questions ranging from topic/clincher sentences to crash writing courses before college, Andrew provides helpful insight and information about where to start and where to go during this Ask Andrew Anything episode.
Referenced Materials:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Episode 100: Four-Wheelers and Make-up: A Radio Drama
- Online Classes
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Fix it! Grammar
- Student Writing Intensive
- Following Narnia Volume 1: The Lion's Song Laura Bettis
- IEW Forum
- Student Writing Intensive Level C by Andrew Pudewa and Jill Pike
- High School Essay Intensive by Andrew Pudewa
- Advanced Communication Series by Andrew Pudewa and Danielle Olander
- Phonetic Zoo
- Advanced Spelling & Vocabulary by James B. Webster, Andrew Pudewa, and Maria Gerber
- The Elegant Essay by Lesha Myers
- A Guide to Writing Your Novel by Lee Roddy
- How to Write a Story by Lee Roddy
- Pathway
- One Year Adventure Novel
- Integrity College Solutions
Questions Asked:
- 1:50 - Bethany asks, "If a paragraph starts with a #6 Very Short Sentence, does the clincher reflect the Very Short Sentence? Or does the clincher reflect the next sentence?"
-
3:50 - Kathy asks, "My question is related to a sentence my boy wrote which we couldn't decide if it fits one of the openers. The sentence was along the lines of: 'Found around the North Pole, Beluga whales...'"
-
8:30 - Cindy asks, "We feel our 6th grade, almost 12-year-old son has had weak writing instruction to this point. He's a voracious reader with great vocabulary and great grades to date, but he has Aspergers and ADHD. We are familiar with your work and are very interested in your online classes as a good way to meet his needs and receive great instruction. I was wondering if you had a good way of determining if we should select Level A or Level B for an online class?"
-
12:32 - Heidi asks, "I don't think my daughter can handle both Fix It! and the Student Writing Intensive Level A. What should I do first? She is nine and will be in the 4th grade."
-
14:42 - John asks, "I'm trying to determine the right course for my son, who will be in 9th grade this year. I see that Following Narnia Volume 1 is intended for grades 6–8. However, I believe someone mentioned on the IEW forum that Volume 1 can be adapted to make it appropriate for the High School level. Could you please provide some feedback?"
-
18:17 - Rebecca asks, "I'm trying to find a writing program for my daughter to use before she goes to college this fall. She has had some writing, but needs to have basic improvement and practice. What do you suggest?"
-
23:10 - Jacqueline asks, "My daughter is home-schooled and is entering the 9th grade. She writes very well and has not struggled in any area of the programs she has completed. She completed the Student Writing Intensive Level B and will be finishing the Continuation Course Level B in a couple of weeks. She would really like to complete a course geared more toward writing her own books this year. We are wondering if The Elegant Essay or Speech Boot Camp could be swapped out for A Guide to Writing Your Novel?"
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
Sit back and receive inspiration from Andrew and veteran homeschool mom and Primary Arts of Language author Jill Pike as they discuss their experience and provide suggestions for parents of struggling learners. Whether your child is dyslexic or has comprehension difficulties, Jill encourages parents to work with their student in all that they do, emphasizing her life-long motto: you can never help your child too much!
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Jill Pike
- Podcast with Jill Pike
- Kristin Boutross
- The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing
- Anna Ingham
- The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald D. Davis (Amazon Affiliate)
- Barton Reading and Spelling System
- "Thoughts on Dyslexia" by Andrew Pudewa
- Classical Conversations
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization Andrew Pudewa
- Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik (Amazon Affiliate)
- Primary Arts of Language
- The Family Hope Center
- The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential
- Understanding Child Brain Development by Matthew and Carol Newell
- Read-Aloud Revival
- Carry on, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham (Amazon Affiliate)
- Cursive Knowledge by Jill Pike
-
- Article
- Audio talk Pen and Paper
- Teaching Boys & Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day Audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Andrew Kern
- A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog by John R. Erickson (Amazon Affiliate)
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- Writing Source Packet
- Forum
- Martin Cothran
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 and provide tips for teaching through the final five units from Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® if you are not using one of the theme-based lessons or the Structure and Style for Students video courses.
GO TO PART 1
Referenced Materials
- “Understanding Topic-Clincher Sentences with Unit 4”
- “Asking Questions with Unit 5”
- “Streamlining Research with Unit 6”
- “Filling the Blank Page with Unit 7”
- “Writing Essays with Unit 8”
- “Critiquing Literature with Unit 9”
- “Lesson Planning” article by Andrew Pudewa
- How to Think like Shakespeare: Lessons from a Renaissance Education by Scott Newstok
- Episode 398: Think like Shakespeare, Part 1
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 454
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 Live Ask Andrew Anything episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker answer questions submitted by listeners. Listen as they discuss how to find the literature suggestions in IEW’s courses, how to decide what courses to use first with younger students, why the levels of some of the theme-based books have changed, what books Andrew is reading now, and more!
Referenced Materials
- Structure and Style® for Students: Year 1 Level C
- Structure and Style for Students: Year 2 Level B
- The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
- Investigations in Writing
- Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level A
- Fix It!® Grammar
- Wonders of Science Writing Lessons
- Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
- The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni
- The Plague by Albert Camus
- 1984 by George Orwell
- Silence by Shūsaku Endō
- Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
- The End of the World Is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan
- We Who Wrestle with God by Jordan B. Peterson
- IEW Online Classes
- Structure and Style for Students: Year 3 Level B
- Writing Contests
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Structure and Style for Students: Year 2 Level C
- Paper and Pen – What the Research Says audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Link to Episode 480 video
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 480
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, Julie Walker asks Andrew Pudewa to give tips on teaching the first four units if someone is not using one of the theme-based writing lessons or the Structure and Style® for Students video courses. She asks him, “What do you need to know if you want to teach your students on your own, using topics that your children find interesting or that you are studying in your other classes?”
Go To Part 2
Referenced Materials
- Tips Handout
- Episode 269: The Mighty Pen – Teaching Students to Change the World through Language
- “Flying Solo with Teaching Writing: Structure and Style”
- “Taking Notes with Unit 1”
- “Writing the Paper with Unit 2”
- “Using the Story Sequence Chart with Unit 3”
- “Understanding Topic-Clincher Sentences with Unit 4”
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 453
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 two-part podcast, Andrew reviews the methodology behind and procedure for successfully teaching Unit 3: Retelling Narrative Stories. After a brief overview of the unit, Andrew will walk step-by-step through an assignment, demonstrating Unit 3 methods and concepts for both the teacher/parent and student.
GO TO PART 1
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Units 3 webinar.
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- Premium Subscription
- Free Aesop Fables Online
- Mini Posters
- Classroom Posters
- The Arts of Language:
- Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing
- Writing Source Packet
- Teaching the Classics by Adam and Missy Andrews
- Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales Writing Lessons by Maria Gerber
- Theme-Based Writing Lessons
- The Boy Who Cried Alien by Marilyn Singer
- How to Write a Story by Lee Roddy
- A Guide to Writing Your Novel by Lee Roddy
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- IEW Families Forum
- IEW Teachers Forum
- Monthly e-Newsletter
- Blog
QUESTIONS ASKED:
- 1:35 - Diane asks, "How long should each lesson take and how often should the lesson be taught?"
- 2:26 - Lynn asks, "How long till a ten-year-old boy can write on his own without parent help?"
- 4:19 - Judy asks, "First-year students are struggling with first drafts, dress -ups, and complete sentences all at the same time."
- 20:14 - Danielle asks, "How many sentences do you have in the key-word outline?
- 22:06 - Angela asks, "I have a very hesitant writer. Can we do a lot of this orally or should he write it out?"
- 24:11 - Jennifer asks, "For high school students, is a chapter of the hobbit too long of a source text?"
- 25:54 - Judy asks, "Students are also overwhelmed with the story sequence, sentence order, sequence, and making sense with their sentences."
- 27:06 - Lynette asks, "My daughter likes to have dialogue in her stories. As each character speaks she starts a new paragraph. What are your recommendations?"
- 28:16 -Deborah asks, "My kids are feeling overwhelmed with the dress ups but are doing well with the sentence openers. Can I back off on the other dress ups and focus on the sentence openers until they are easy?"
- 30:30 -Amery asks, "IEW seems to be teacher driven, which is fine, yet the school world seem to emphasize on independence for middle schoolers. So helping the students with IEW lessons was different but I'm glad I understand that I am to assist. I just assumed the child was to be more independent because of their age and grade level."
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
Structure and Style is a trademark of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, L.L.C.
This is the nineteenth episode of twenty-four in the podcast series Reviewing Our Greatest Hits. This show was initially launched on January 3, 2018, as Episode 122.
Share the fun and gain some insights as Julie chats with homeschool mom and author Heidi St. John. After homeschooling for many years, Heidi pulled together her experience and wrote The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance. Join us as Heidi shares her goal of strengthening families and offers her advice to busy moms who feel overwhelmed with the tasks at hand.
Referenced Materials:
- Heidi St. John: The Busy Mom
- Podcast with Kristin Boutross
- Podcast with Laura House
- "But, but, but ... What about Grammar?" audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Structure and Style® for Students
- IEW Schools
- Janet Spitler
- The Busy Mom's Guide to Romance by Heidi St. John
- Books by Heidi St. John
- The Firmly Planted Resource Center
- Heidi's Instagram
- Heidi's Facebook Page
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 you teaching through Unit 4 and interested to know the ins and outs of the unit? Join Andrew in this two-part webinar recording, as he discusses Unit 4, the lynchpin unit, explaining both the process and purpose of the unit as well as the topic/clincher rule and how it is to be used.
GO TO PART 1
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Units 4 webinar.
- Webinar Archive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- Rockets, Radar, and Robotics by Danielle Olander and Nathaniel Olander
- Magnus Opus Magazine
- Writing Source Packet
- Premium Subscription
- Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- U.S History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Student Writing Intensive by Andrew Pudewa and Jill Pike
- Free Aesop Fables Online
- Mini Posters
- Classroom Posters
- Anna Ingham
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Blended Structure and Style in Composition by Dr. James B. Webster
- IEW Families Forum
- IEW Teachers Forum
- Monthly e-Newsletter
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 welcome the May flowers, be encouraged to have a strong finish of your school year with Unit 9: Formal Critique. Go beyond the "boring book report" with Andrew as he explains the structural model of Unit 9 and shares the power of the critique thesaurus.
Referenced Materials:
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Student Resource Packet
- U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization by Andrew Pudewa
- e-Newsletters
- Dr. James B. Webster
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 Leigh Bortins, founder of Classical Conversations, to discuss the Global Home Education Conference which took place in Russia this summer. Tune in to enjoy Andrew and Leigh's stories of their experience in Russian culture and learn about the role Leigh plays in promoting home education both nationwide and internationally.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Global Home Education Conference
- Classical Conversations
- "History of CC"
- High School Essay Intensive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Classical Conversations | International Communities
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
Are you teaching through Unit 4 and interested to know the ins and outs of the unit? Join Andrew in this two-part webinar recording, as he discusses Unit 4, the lynchpin unit, explaining both the process and purpose of the unit as well as the topic/clincher rule and how it is to be used.
GO TO PART 2
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Structure and Style Units 4 webinar.
- Webinar Archive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- Student Writing Intensive by Andrew Pudewa and Jill Pike
- Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
- Magnus Opus Magazine
- Writing Source Packet
- Premium Subscription
- U.S History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Free Aesop Fables Online
- Mini Posters
- Classroom Posters
- Anna Ingham
- Dr. James B. Webster
- Blended Structure and Style in Composition by Dr. James B. Webster
- IEW Families Forum
- IEW Teachers Forum
- Monthly e-Newsletter
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 you teaching through Unit 5, Writing from Pictures, and interested to know the ins and outs of the unit? Join Andrew Pudewa in part two of this webinar recording as he discusses the how-to of Unit 5, explaining both the process and purpose of the unit.
GO TO PART 1
Referenced Materials:
- Click here to download the slides that accompanied the original Sailing Through Style webinar.
- Webinar Archive
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Upgrade
- Grammar
- Fix It! Grammar
- Portable Walls
- Bible-Based Writing Lessons by Andrew Pudewa and Dr. James Webster
- Introduction to Fix It! Grammar Webinar
- Magnum Opus Magazine
- Premium Subscription
- Mini Posters
- IEW Teachers Forum
- Monthly e-Newsletter
- IEW Writing Tools Lite
- IEW Writing Tools
- Questions from the Audience
- 27:40- Anne asks "Would you have a child copy a poster?"
- 29:10-Juella asks "Is it possible to teach multiple levels of writing without doing multiple curricula?"
- 30:44-Kim asks "Where is the fix it grammar webinar?"
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 share IEW’s theme for 2025: How to Think. Listen as they discuss the feeling of accomplishment in learning to think through research and writing as well as the negative impact of AI on thinking and writing.
Referenced Materials
- Magalog
- “Writing Maketh an Exact Man”
- Twelve Days of Christmas Giving
- Episode 207: Thinking – The Quintessence of the Four Language Arts
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 458
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 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
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
Once again, Andrew answers questions from teachers and parents across the country. Whether it be a Latin question or a technical inquiry about sentence openers, Andrew provides helpful insight and clarity. Tune in till the end for an electrifying lightning round, where various students ask questions like "Who is your favorite composer?" and "How many ties do you actually own?"
Referenced Materials:
- Biduum Latinum
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
- Advanced Communication Series [Discontinued]
- Online Classes
- The Family Hope Center
- Fix It! Grammar
- Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen
- Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (Amazon Affiliate)
- Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Mandy Walker (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Republic by Plato (Amazon Affiliate)
- The Scarlet and the Black
- Collateral Beauty
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Amazon Affiliate)
QUESTIONS ASKED:
1:44 - Sandra asks, "My son was an A student in high school and is doing well enough in college, except for Latin. He took Latin for three years in high school and did fine, but he's taking his second year of Latin in college and it's proving to be excruciating for him. Do you have any advice for this level of Latin?"
4:55 - Christine asks, "Are there a limited number of words that work as invisible openers? For example, "Being exhausted, the man sank down into a sofa." In this example, it works to drop the word "being." Do all words work this way? It doesn't sound right to me to say, "Tired, the man sank down into a sofa." Or, "Sleepy the man..."
8:42 - Holly says, "It would be great to get a little more help or advice on the taking notes from lectures and then writing paragraphs. I'm finding that my son and I are needing more guidance in this area."
11:18 - Leah asks, "I'm interested in one of your courses for my 10th grade daughter. I would like something that she could work on independently. Do you have recommendations? Are there assessments built into the program?"
13:06 - Melissa asks, "I recently listened to episode 66 of the podcast. My son has ADD and learning disabilities such as significant delays in spelling and mild delays in reading and math. He also has delays in working memory and processing speed. He's currently in the 5th grade in a public school. I am unfortunately unable to homeschool him, but we are working with him after school and in the summers as much as possible. I wanted to see what would be recommended for him? He's currently in 5th grade so I'm unsure whether level A or level B would be best for him."
16:13 - Mary asks, "My fourteen-year-old has some issues: lack of proper punctuation in sentences, run-ons, and tense agreements, to name a few. I have addressed these in editing, but I feel like he's missing something pretty important. Should I continue to coach him through editing? He is grasping all the dress-ups quite well. We are in Unit 4."
23:52 - Paula asks,"Hi there. I'm in a bit of a pickle. I am tutoring an IEW writing class at a tutoring center and the grades range from 3-8. The director insists that we use Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons. It's actually been going really well, but now we have started unit 6 and the younger students are confused. Do you have any suggestions?"
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 and Julie Walker as they dive deeper into the theme for this year: How to Think. Before we can talk about how to think, we need to know what thinking is. Andrew talks about the importance of language in building brain pathways along with how the structure of language aids in thinking. Finally, he discusses critical thinking skills and how language is the foundation for those skills.
Referenced Materials
- Cultivating Language Arts – Preschool through High School audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- “How to Think”
- “Writing Maketh an Exact Man”
- Aging with Grace: What the Nun Study Teaches Us About Leading Longer, Healthier, and More Meaningful Lives
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 461
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 continue diving into this year's theme: How to Think. In this episode, they talk about famous questions and quotations that have to do with thinking and learning, as well as some that spark thinking. Listen to glean some questions and quotations that will spark thoughtful conversations in your home or classroom.
Referenced Materials
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
- Episode 398: Think like Shakespeare, Part 1
- How to Think like Shakespeare: Lessons from a Renaissance Education by Scott Newstok
- What Are We Really Doing Here? by Andrew Pudewa
- However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 484
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’s time for another Live Ask Andrew Anything episode! Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they answer questions from listeners. They were joined by Nicki Truesdell, who asked “How much grammar and writing do you think is necessary throughout the years of K-12?” Andrew and Julie also answer questions about Structure and Style® for Students, The Phonetic Zoo, instructor accreditation, and many others. This episode covers all things IEW!
Referenced Materials
- Nicki Truesdell
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Fix It!™ Grammar
- U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons
- Episode 398: Think like Shakespeare, Part 1
- How to Think like Shakespeare: Lessons from a Renaissance Education by Scott Newstok
- Anyone Can Homeschool by Nicki Truesdell
- University-Ready Writing
- Free Fix It! Grammar lessons
- Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level B
- Find an Instructor
- Primary Arts of Language
- The Phonetic Zoo
- Spelling and the Brain audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- All About Spelling
- From Composition to Copywork audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Apply for Accreditation
- Introduction to Public Speaking
- IEW Speech Contest
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 430
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 are excited to welcome Jonathan Brush with Unbound, an organization that offers unique options for high school and college students. Unbound is a project-based higher education program that equips young adults to take ownership of their education and prepares them for life.
Referenced Materials
- Unbound
- Accelerated Distance Learning by Brad Voeller
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
- Be Unbound YouTube Channel
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 366
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
† Contains distinctly Christian content
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.
Since October is dyslexia awareness month, Susan Barton of the Barton Reading and Spelling System joins the Arts of Language Podcast to offer insight on dyslexia. With years of experience, Susan explains dyslexia's intricacies and discusses the temporary accommodations teachers can provide to allow dyslexic students to still thrive and prove their knowledge.
REFERENCED MATERIALS:
- Susan Barton
- Dyslexia: Symptoms & Solutions
- Bright Solutions for Dyslexia
- Learning Ally
- Bookshare
- Orton-Gillingham Method
- Barton Reading and Spelling System
- Ask Susan Barton
- Bright Solutions for Dyslexia Facebook
- Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz
- Bright Solutions for Dyslexia: Good Books
- To contact Susan, email her at Susan@brightsolutions.us.
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 benefits of eating meals as a family, from healthier eating habits to more confident communicators. Julie also shares a resource on cooking once a month. Listen and be encouraged to put down your phone and start a conversation over a meal.
Referenced Materials
- Cultivating Language Arts – Preschool through High School audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- Once-a-Month Cooking
- Once-a-Month Cooking by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg
- “How Kids Can Help in the Kitchen”
- “Science-Based Benefits of Family Mealtime”
- Transcript of Podcast Episode 443
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 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
Since 2015 Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker have been adding to the “Ask Andrew Anything” series. The series is an opportunity for Andrew to respond directly to questions asked by our podcast listeners. This week Andrew offers insight and advice as he answers questions on topics like motivating older students and helping students with learning challenges. Almost all of Andrew’s answers have a common theme: the importance of furnishing the mind through memorized language.
Referenced Materials
- Episode 100: Four-Wheelers and Make-Up: A Radio Drama
- Episode 200: Ask Andrew Anything
- Structure and Style for Students
- Fix It! Grammar
- Special needs? IEW can help!
- Barton Reading and Spelling System
- Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Teaching Boys & Other Children Who Would Rather Make Forts All Day
audio talk by Andrew Pudewa - “You Don’t Have to Like It …”
- The HomeScholar
- Cultivating Language Arts: Preschool through High School
audio talk by Andrew Pudewa - Transcript of Podcast Episode 350
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 Father's Day, Andrew reflects on what he did as a homeschool dad that helped cultivate a good family and home culture. Based on his new convention talk, "The Three, Maybe Four, Best Things I Did as a Homeschool Dad," Andrew shares the first two on his list: reading aloud to the family and family meetings. Tune in to hear Andrew's insight and stories on how these changed the family dynamic for the better!
Referenced Materials:
- Andrew's Engagements
- Read-Aloud Revival
- "Nurturing Competent Communicators" audio talk by Andrew Pudewa
- The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
- Structure and Style® for Students
- Laddie by Gene Stratton-Porter
- Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni
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 webinar for Classical Conversations communities who would like support using Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons in a class setting.
A webinar for Classical Conversations communities who would like support using Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons in a class setting.
A webinar for Classical Conversations communities who would like support using Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons in a class setting.
A webinar for Classical Conversations communities who would like support using Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons in a class setting.
A webinar for Classical Conversations communities who would like support using Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons in a class setting.
A webinar for Classical Conversations communities who would like support using Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons in a class setting.
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.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Adventures in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Frontiers in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Discoveries in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Discoveries in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Discoveries in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Discoveries in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Discoveries in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Discoveries in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Frontiers in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Discoveries in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Frontiers in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Frontiers in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using USH in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using USH in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using USH in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using USH in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using USH in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using USH in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using USH in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using MHW in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using MHW in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using MHW in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using MHW in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using MHW in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using MHW in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using MHW in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using AHW in a co-op setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using AHW in a co-op setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using AHW in a co-op setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using AHW in a co-op setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using AHW in a co-op setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using AHW in a co-op setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Investigations in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using USH in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using MHW in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using AHW in a co-op setting.
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.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Investigations in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Investigations in Writing in a class setting.
A webinar for anyone who wants support using Investigations in Writing in a class setting.
Yes! You do! The Theme-Based Writing Lessons 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.
• 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.
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
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.
Teaching the Classics is a video seminar that will teach you, as the parent or teacher, the basics of literary analysis (character, setting, plot, conflict, theme), which you can then apply to any piece of literature you study with your students. It is suitable for teaching students of any age. The teacher workbook includes suggested reading and provides a list of Socratic questions that you can choose from in your study of literature.
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. If you would like to talk with Excellence in Writing teachers who have used these programs, join our forum.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.