Writing the “IEW way” comprises a twofold approach: structure and style. Students practice 
combining these two elements, and over time, assuming the teacher provides the right ingredients along with a rich learning environment, they will become more proficient at writing with creativity, expression, and clarity.
The structure part of IEW is fairly direct. Each year, students learn different models of structure to apply to their own writing. Beginning with Unit 1: Note Making and Outlines and continuing through the syllabus to Unit 9: Formal Critique, the students generally tackle them at a rate of approximately one per month, the instructor adjusting the pace for age and ability. In ensuing years, the students circle back around to repeat and refresh these same units, but at a deeper level of understanding each time.
Style is approached differently. Following an “EZ+1” approach, students incorporate new stylistic techniques when they meet two parameters: (1) when a student can apply the old techniques without much help and (2) it doesn’t sound too goofy most of the time.
Podcast Episodes 126a and 126b are wonderful episodes to check out to learn more about how to teach style to your students, whether they be your own children in the home, a co-op or hybrid class that meets once or twice a week, or a traditional classroom of twenty or more students.
In the podcasts, Andrew Pudewa engagingly describes how to teach style to your students. Additionally, he names several tools that will help you assist your students at becoming comfortable with applying their stylistic techniques. If you are new to IEW, you will love learning more about it, but it’s also a wonderful review for those who have been teaching IEW for several years. We hope you will have a listen!
|
|
Jennifer Mauser has always loved reading and writing and received a B.A. in English from the University of Kansas in 1991. Once she and her husband had children, they decided to homeschool, and she put all her training to use in the home. In addition to homeschooling her children, Jennifer teaches IEW classes out of her home, coaches budding writers via email, and tutors students who struggle with dyslexia. |
