A Christmas Story for the Senses: Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”
As time seems to speed up the closer we get to the holidays, many educators are preparing special class sessions to celebrate the season with their students. Some plan a class period playing... read more
The Edifying Flame of Candlelight: A Unit 4 Opportunity
Have you ever tuned in to hear Andrew Pudewa speak at a Classical Consortium event? If so, you've probably also enjoyed hearing Professor Carol. Each year she offers a free online Advent calendar.... read more
Grades 3–12 Teachers in Year 2 and Beyond: Customizing Lessons, Part 1 – Choosing Alternate Source Texts
by Jean Nichols and Janet Spitler We have shared a plethora of information to help teachers and students who are new to the IEW approach to writing. This blog series answers the question, “What does... read more
The Reader-Response Journal: A Dialectical Approach to Learning about Literature
Who is Gail Ledbetter? She is a recent U. S. Air Force wing mom, retired homeschool mother of four, and accidental author of Timeline of Classics: Historical Context for the Good and Great... read more
Homeschool State Organizations: More than just conventions! An interview with Anne Miller: Podcast Episode 247
For the latest podcast, Episode 247, Andrew and Julie invite Anne Miller to the mic. Anne is the president and executive director of the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV). Having begun her... read more
Share the Joy!
There’s a reason that December is our favorite time of the year at IEW, and it’s because of the annual Twelve Days of Christmas Giving event. As we look forward to another year... read more
Considering the Possibilities of Unit 3: Podcast Episode 246
Andrew and Julie invited Nathan King to join them in the recording studio for podcast Episode 246. Nathan, a Project Manager for IEW, also enjoys writing fiction. Because November is National Novel Writing... read more
A Poem for the Holiday: “Thanksgiving Day” by Lydia Maria Child
One of the most familiar poems associated with Thanksgiving is this one, “Thanksgiving Day” by Lydia Maria Child. Interestingly, there are two versions of the poem. The shorter version is presented below, but... read more
Plurals: Plain and Piquant
When adding a plural suffix onto a base word, often the plain vanilla approach works just fine. You have two options: -s or -es. Determining which one to apply is generally a simple... read more
A Conversation about Paper and Pen: What the Research Says, Part 2: Podcast Episode 245
During last week’s show, podcast Episode 244, Andrew and Julie discussed the first of four points outlined in Andrew’s presentation, Paper and Pen: What the Research Says. That point specifically focuses on research... read more
A Haiku for the Holidays
Sometimes it’s energizing to take a break from the regular routine to explore something new. One idea I have incorporated in the past with my students is to get them to explore writing... read more
Additional Source Material to Teach Structure and Style
We recently received a request from a parent who just completed Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level A and is waiting patiently for Year 2 Level A to launch in January.... read more
A Conversation about Paper and Pen: What the Research Says, Part 1: Podcast Episode 244
This week’s podcast episode, Episode 244, launches the beginning of a conversation between Andrew and Julie about the use of paper and pen. These tools are an integral part of teaching the skill... read more
But He Doesn’t Like to Read!
For me, one of life’s greatest pleasures is cracking the spine on a delicious new novel. And one of the times I feel the most contemplative is right after I turn the last... read more
Sharing Gratitude: Podcast Episode 243
We love to hear from you. Whether it be through email, social media, a phone call, or even snail mail, it truly delights us to hear how our materials are impacting the lives... read more
Friday Night Live with Andrew Pudewa!
Friday the thirteenth? You’re in luck! Your friends at IEW are planning a party, and we want you there! On Friday, November 13, gather the family together, pop up a bowl of popcorn,... read more
The Goodness of Memory, Part 2: Podcast Episode 242
In podcast Episode 242, Andrew and Julie continue their fascinating conversation about memory. One question they ponder is Where does memory reside? Shockingly, it may not be solely stored in the brain. Andrew... read more
Meet the Mighty Morpheme!
In addition to teaching Structure and Style writing to co-op classes and individual tutored students, I also work as a reading and spelling tutor, employing a structured literacy approach. To say that I... read more
Compose or Comprise? A Dictionary Investigation
Which words correctly fill in the blanks? Fifty states ________________ the Union. (compose, comprise) The Supreme Court typically ______________ nine justices. (composes, comprises) Do you know the answers? If not, you’re in good company. Truth be... read more
The Goodness of Memory: Podcast Episode 241
“Memory is the cabinet of the imagination, the treasury of reason, the registry of conscience, and the council-chamber of thought.” These words, attributed to the poet Giambattista Basile, still ring true centuries later.... read more
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
A Christmas Story for the Senses: Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”
As time seems to speed up the closer we get to the holidays, many educators are preparing special class sessions to... read more
The Edifying Flame of Candlelight: A Unit 4 Opportunity
Have you ever tuned in to hear Andrew Pudewa speak at a Classical Consortium event? If so, you've probably also enjoyed... read more
Grades 3–12 Teachers in Year 2 and Beyond: Customizing Lessons, Part 1 – Choosing Alternate Source Texts
by Jean Nichols and Janet Spitler We have shared a plethora of information to help teachers and students who are new to the... read more
The Reader-Response Journal: A Dialectical Approach to Learning about Literature
Who is Gail Ledbetter? She is a recent U. S. Air Force wing mom, retired homeschool mother of four, and accidental... read more
Homeschool State Organizations: More than just conventions! An interview with Anne Miller: Podcast Episode 247
For the latest podcast, Episode 247, Andrew and Julie invite Anne Miller to the mic. Anne is the president and executive... read more
Share the Joy!
There’s a reason that December is our favorite time of the year at IEW, and it’s because of the annual Twelve... read more
Considering the Possibilities of Unit 3: Podcast Episode 246
Andrew and Julie invited Nathan King to join them in the recording studio for podcast Episode 246. Nathan, a Project Manager... read more
A Poem for the Holiday: “Thanksgiving Day” by Lydia Maria Child
One of the most familiar poems associated with Thanksgiving is this one, “Thanksgiving Day” by Lydia Maria Child. Interestingly, there are... read more
Plurals: Plain and Piquant
When adding a plural suffix onto a base word, often the plain vanilla approach works just fine. You have two options:... read more
A Conversation about Paper and Pen: What the Research Says, Part 2: Podcast Episode 245
During last week’s show, podcast Episode 244, Andrew and Julie discussed the first of four points outlined in Andrew’s presentation, Paper... read more
A Haiku for the Holidays
Sometimes it’s energizing to take a break from the regular routine to explore something new. One idea I have incorporated in... read more
Additional Source Material to Teach Structure and Style
We recently received a request from a parent who just completed Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level A and... read more
A Conversation about Paper and Pen: What the Research Says, Part 1: Podcast Episode 244
This week’s podcast episode, Episode 244, launches the beginning of a conversation between Andrew and Julie about the use of paper... read more
But He Doesn’t Like to Read!
For me, one of life’s greatest pleasures is cracking the spine on a delicious new novel. And one of the times... read more
Sharing Gratitude: Podcast Episode 243
We love to hear from you. Whether it be through email, social media, a phone call, or even snail mail, it... read more
Friday Night Live with Andrew Pudewa!
Friday the thirteenth? You’re in luck! Your friends at IEW are planning a party, and we want you there! On Friday,... read more
The Goodness of Memory, Part 2: Podcast Episode 242
In podcast Episode 242, Andrew and Julie continue their fascinating conversation about memory. One question they ponder is Where does memory... read more
Meet the Mighty Morpheme!
In addition to teaching Structure and Style writing to co-op classes and individual tutored students, I also work as a reading... read more
Compose or Comprise? A Dictionary Investigation
Which words correctly fill in the blanks? Fifty states ________________ the Union. (compose, comprise) The Supreme Court typically ______________ nine justices. (composes, comprises) Do... read more
The Goodness of Memory: Podcast Episode 241
“Memory is the cabinet of the imagination, the treasury of reason, the registry of conscience, and the council-chamber of thought.” These... read more
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
