![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_charting_vision.jpg)
Charting Your Vision for Success
2017 is over and done, and 2018 has arrived. Each year, people make grandiose resolutions for how they’ll change their lives. But many allow their resolve to shrivel, their tenacity to wither, and... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_podcast_122.jpg)
A Podcast with Heidi St. John: Episode 122
Now that the relaxing Christmas break is over, are you finding yourself suddenly thrust back in the business of life and already feeling overwhelmed and exhausted? You are not alone! Check out this... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_canvas_paint_0.jpg)
Structure and Style—The Canvas and the Paint
by Ryan Weins Hello there! I’m new here—to IEW, and especially to blogging. So here’s to the first one! When I was hired, Julie told me, “You can play the ‘new guy card’ for... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_IEW_changed_my_life.jpg)
How IEW Changed My Life...No, Really
Each day throughout the week I am privileged to interact and correspond with parents and students who are either just starting their IEW journey or continuing through it in the hope that their... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_gift_of_teaching.jpg)
The Gift of Teaching
“In addition to using the right teaching method and having patience while children mature, we must also have the right attitude in coaching our students.” – Andrew Pudewa As the Christmas season settles itself... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_writing_pictures_christmas.jpg)
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
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_gift_of_time.jpg)
How to Give Yourself the Gift of Time this Christmas
Enjoy this guest blog post written by Pamela Barnhill of Your Morning Basket. I can be somewhat of a Christmas Grinch. A few years ago when my children were 7, 5, and 3, my husband... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_simple_christmas.jpg)
How to Simplify the Season
Enjoy this special blog post by guest blogger Kristi Clover, creator of the Simply Joyful podcast. Christmas time is one of my favorite times of the year. There is just something about all the... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_settling_into_season.jpg)
Settling into the Season
Our CSM team at IEW was recently challenged to start contributing to the blog by each of us writing a post. It sounded simple enough at the time, but when it came around... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_gathering_leaves_0.jpg)
November Poetry: “Gathering Leaves”
The cooling temperatures and crisp fall breezes have done their work in most of the United States. The leaves have fallen. Branches are bare or nearly there, and now is the time to... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_unit_5.jpg)
Experience Unit 5: The First Thanksgiving
Unit 5 marks the midway point of IEW’s nine writing units. Rather than asking students to create key word outlines from written text, Unit 5 instead has students ask themselves questions based on... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/WATN_jemma_swift.jpg)
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
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_jills_gems_adjusting_the_bar_.jpg)
Jill’s Gems: Adjusting the Bar for Success, One Child at a Time
Our customer service team is available for you to ask questions, share successes, and receive encouragement. Recently a member wondered about how to help her child prepare his speeches for his co-op class.... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_reading_out_loud.jpg)
Reading Aloud: Time Together Well Spent
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! by Dr. Seuss As the leaves... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_gratitude.jpg)
Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
Gratitude matters. “I do believe the happiest people that I meet are the ones who have that habit, that attitude of gratitude." – Andrew Pudewa With the possible exception of Thanksgiving Day, our culture is... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_from_the_first.jpg)
From the First: Famous (and not-so-famous) First Lines
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This quote, reportedly attributed to Will Rogers, not only applies to people, but also to literature, and perhaps more so. After all,... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_one_chapter.jpg)
One Chapter Away
# Reading Tolkien out loud while two primary-grade siblings engaged in an action-figure battle to the death was not an easy task. Competing to be heard while constant noise and motion were going on... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/WATN_nathanael_olander.jpg)
Where Are They Now? Nathanael Olander: Future Computer Scientist
# Nathanael Olander grew up an “IEW kid.” His mom, Danielle Olander, is an IEW homeschool exhibitor. Together the two of them authored Rockets, Radar, & Robotics*, a technology-themed writing curriculum. The idea for... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_20_birthday_0.jpg)
Happy 20th Birthday, Classical Conversations! IEW and CC: Celebrating Fifteen Years of Collaboration and Camaraderie
Today is October 18, 2017, and while Andrew Pudewa is heading to Charlotte, NC for Classical Conversations’ 20th anniversary event, I am heading to Dallas, TX to join the live video simulcast from... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_feeling_fallish.jpg)
Feeling Fallish—A Poem About October
Whether you live in Fort Lauderdale or Fairbanks, fall is upon us. For some of us the leaves are turning colors. For others, the leaves never even drop. Regardless of where you reside,... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_short_assignments.jpg)
Short, Frequent Assignments
I am presently in an unusual position. My children have reached the age where one is in high school, one is dual-enrolled in college and high school, and one is enrolled full-time in... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_charting_vision.jpg)
Charting Your Vision for Success
2017 is over and done, and 2018 has arrived. Each year, people make grandiose resolutions for how they’ll change their lives.... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_podcast_122.jpg)
A Podcast with Heidi St. John: Episode 122
Now that the relaxing Christmas break is over, are you finding yourself suddenly thrust back in the business of life and... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_canvas_paint_0.jpg)
Structure and Style—The Canvas and the Paint
by Ryan Weins Hello there! I’m new here—to IEW, and especially to blogging. So here’s to the first one! When I was... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_IEW_changed_my_life.jpg)
How IEW Changed My Life...No, Really
Each day throughout the week I am privileged to interact and correspond with parents and students who are either just starting... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_gift_of_teaching.jpg)
The Gift of Teaching
“In addition to using the right teaching method and having patience while children mature, we must also have the right attitude... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_writing_pictures_christmas.jpg)
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
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_gift_of_time.jpg)
How to Give Yourself the Gift of Time this Christmas
Enjoy this guest blog post written by Pamela Barnhill of Your Morning Basket. I can be somewhat of a Christmas Grinch. A few... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_simple_christmas.jpg)
How to Simplify the Season
Enjoy this special blog post by guest blogger Kristi Clover, creator of the Simply Joyful podcast. Christmas time is one of my... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_settling_into_season.jpg)
Settling into the Season
Our CSM team at IEW was recently challenged to start contributing to the blog by each of us writing a post.... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_gathering_leaves_0.jpg)
November Poetry: “Gathering Leaves”
The cooling temperatures and crisp fall breezes have done their work in most of the United States. The leaves have fallen.... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_unit_5.jpg)
Experience Unit 5: The First Thanksgiving
Unit 5 marks the midway point of IEW’s nine writing units. Rather than asking students to create key word outlines from... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/WATN_jemma_swift.jpg)
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
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_jills_gems_adjusting_the_bar_.jpg)
Jill’s Gems: Adjusting the Bar for Success, One Child at a Time
Our customer service team is available for you to ask questions, share successes, and receive encouragement. Recently a member wondered about... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_reading_out_loud.jpg)
Reading Aloud: Time Together Well Spent
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_gratitude.jpg)
Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
Gratitude matters. “I do believe the happiest people that I meet are the ones who have that habit, that attitude of gratitude."... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_from_the_first.jpg)
From the First: Famous (and not-so-famous) First Lines
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This quote, reportedly attributed to Will Rogers, not only applies... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_one_chapter.jpg)
One Chapter Away
# Reading Tolkien out loud while two primary-grade siblings engaged in an action-figure battle to the death was not an easy task.... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/WATN_nathanael_olander.jpg)
Where Are They Now? Nathanael Olander: Future Computer Scientist
# Nathanael Olander grew up an “IEW kid.” His mom, Danielle Olander, is an IEW homeschool exhibitor. Together the two of them... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_20_birthday_0.jpg)
Happy 20th Birthday, Classical Conversations! IEW and CC: Celebrating Fifteen Years of Collaboration and Camaraderie
Today is October 18, 2017, and while Andrew Pudewa is heading to Charlotte, NC for Classical Conversations’ 20th anniversary event, I... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_feeling_fallish.jpg)
Feeling Fallish—A Poem About October
Whether you live in Fort Lauderdale or Fairbanks, fall is upon us. For some of us the leaves are turning colors.... read more
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iew-public-production/files/images/blog_short_assignments.jpg)
Short, Frequent Assignments
I am presently in an unusual position. My children have reached the age where one is in high school, one is... read more