A New Box of Crayons
As an adult, I still associate going back to school with a particular scent—the aroma of a freshly opened box of sixty-four crayons. And at the end of the summer, when I’m shopping... read more
Boy Mom: Podcast Episode 148
Two paradoxes exist for parents and their boys. How do parents deal with a culture of children who believe they have a right to be entertained? How should parents deal with the problem that every... read more
Scheduling Fun in a Full Day
“Wait. You work nearly thirty hours a week and you’re in school?!” While attending school full time, I also work for IEW remotely. As a common small talk question, peers often ask me... read more
Busting Boredom
“He who seeks rest finds boredom. He who seeks work finds rest.” - Dylan Thomas July is National Anti-Boredom Month. It is a fitting month for it, too. After all, students have been out... read more
Usage: Compliment or Complement?
Homophones are tricky things. They can trip up even the most astute student. From a young age students work on mastering the difference between to, too, and two, for example, or there, their,... 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
Where Are They Now? Micah Karr: Future Journalist
The oldest of three daughters, Micah Karr grew up near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, and was home educated from kindergarten through grade 12. Now in college, Micah is enjoying the... read more
Filling Your Educational Bucket
Summer. It’s a season to rest and recover from the hard work of being an educator, right? Whether you are a five-day-a-week teacher in a brick and mortar school, a co-op facilitator teaching... read more
Latin: Finding Joy in the Challenge
“Who learns Latin? Why on earth are they learning Latin? Latin is a dead language!” I boldly stated in ignorance a few years ago. As I was contemplating the next steps on our homeschooling... read more
Year One of Structure and Style in the Classroom: Look Back and Reflect. Look Ahead and Plan.
A note before you begin: This post contains many helpful links to materials, related blogs, and additional information on our Schools website. We recommend that you read the blog all the way... read more
However Imperfectly: Podcast Episode 144
Podcast 144 is an extra special one because in it Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss Andrew’s experiences and insights, reflecting on his approximately thirty years of working in education. The title of... read more
Beauty, Adventure, and Skunks—Oh My!
Lying in my soft denim sleeping bag in the bed of my parents’ long bed Chevy truck, my sister asleep on one side of me, my cousin on the other, I squirmed. Despite... read more
A Father’s Influence
My teacher training began around age eight. After my grandfather died, we moved to be closer to my grandmother, and my father changed careers from accounting to teaching. This is truly his gift.... read more
The Special Education Journey: Podcast Episode 143
ADHD, ASD, APD, PDD-NOS, SLD. If you know any of these acronyms, you may be the parent of a child who struggles with learning disabilities. Dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia are other common learning... read more
Becoming an Imperfectionist
On June 17 in the United States, we celebrate Father’s Day, a day to recognize the special role that fathers hold in their families. Evan Smith, one of our fabulous IEW dads, wrote... read more
No Better Legacy
The month of June marks Father’s Day in the United States. Fathers are vitally important to the raising of healthy, happy children. One of the ways fathers contribute to their children’s development is... read more
Making Boring Content Fascinating
Even after debating in high school for five years and attending college for over two years, the thought of sitting through a lecture still bores me. Although I know how to effectively take... read more
Where Are They Now? Ryan Cardinale, Author and Administrator
Our IEW alumni enter the professional world well equipped with solid communication skills, whether their jobs are in journalism, science, law, or somewhere else. Today we feature a former student who has taken... read more
It’s a Hit! One Mom’s Quest to Make Reading Literature Fun
When Danielle’s oldest son went off to college, she reflected on some of her regrets and decided to do something about them. Read her post and see how she created some fun social... read more
A Poem in Honor of Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 13, is Mother’s Day in the United States. To celebrate the date, we found a lovely poem written by Christina Rossetti in 1881. A sonnet, this untitled poem’s structure varies from... 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 New Box of Crayons
As an adult, I still associate going back to school with a particular scent—the aroma of a freshly opened box of... read more
Boy Mom: Podcast Episode 148
Two paradoxes exist for parents and their boys. How do parents deal with a culture of children who believe they have a... read more
Scheduling Fun in a Full Day
“Wait. You work nearly thirty hours a week and you’re in school?!” While attending school full time, I also work for... read more
Busting Boredom
“He who seeks rest finds boredom. He who seeks work finds rest.” - Dylan Thomas July is National Anti-Boredom Month. It is... read more
Usage: Compliment or Complement?
Homophones are tricky things. They can trip up even the most astute student. From a young age students work on mastering... 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
Where Are They Now? Micah Karr: Future Journalist
The oldest of three daughters, Micah Karr grew up near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, and was home educated... read more
Filling Your Educational Bucket
Summer. It’s a season to rest and recover from the hard work of being an educator, right? Whether you are a... read more
Latin: Finding Joy in the Challenge
“Who learns Latin? Why on earth are they learning Latin? Latin is a dead language!” I boldly stated in ignorance a... read more
Year One of Structure and Style in the Classroom: Look Back and Reflect. Look Ahead and Plan.
A note before you begin: This post contains many helpful links to materials, related blogs, and additional information on our... read more
However Imperfectly: Podcast Episode 144
Podcast 144 is an extra special one because in it Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss Andrew’s experiences and insights, reflecting... read more
Beauty, Adventure, and Skunks—Oh My!
Lying in my soft denim sleeping bag in the bed of my parents’ long bed Chevy truck, my sister asleep on... read more
A Father’s Influence
My teacher training began around age eight. After my grandfather died, we moved to be closer to my grandmother, and my... read more
The Special Education Journey: Podcast Episode 143
ADHD, ASD, APD, PDD-NOS, SLD. If you know any of these acronyms, you may be the parent of a child who... read more
Becoming an Imperfectionist
On June 17 in the United States, we celebrate Father’s Day, a day to recognize the special role that fathers hold... read more
No Better Legacy
The month of June marks Father’s Day in the United States. Fathers are vitally important to the raising of healthy, happy... read more
Making Boring Content Fascinating
Even after debating in high school for five years and attending college for over two years, the thought of sitting through... read more
Where Are They Now? Ryan Cardinale, Author and Administrator
Our IEW alumni enter the professional world well equipped with solid communication skills, whether their jobs are in journalism, science, law,... read more
It’s a Hit! One Mom’s Quest to Make Reading Literature Fun
When Danielle’s oldest son went off to college, she reflected on some of her regrets and decided to do something about... read more
A Poem in Honor of Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 13, is Mother’s Day in the United States. To celebrate the date, we found a lovely poem written by... 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
