Life Lessons Learned through Spelling
by Ryan Weins Recently I had the privilege of completing a level of IEW’s spelling program, The Phonetic Zoo. Throughout my study, I found it enjoyable to finally experience how our approach to teaching... read more
How to Make Reading Aloud the Best Part of Your Day
Enjoy this guest post by Sarah Mackenzie, author and creator of the popular blog, Read-Aloud Revival. When you’re done, check out Sarah’s newest book, The Read-Aloud Family, available from IEW later this spring.... read more
Showing Some Style: Podcast Episodes 126a and 126b
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,... read more
Winter Poetry: “The Darkling Thrush”
Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) is remembered today as being one of the most renowned British novelists of all time. His works continue to be read, enjoyed, and studied even today. Not only did he... read more
Reading: Time Well Spent
We have so little time to spend. The hustle and bustle of teaching a multiplicity of subjects to students takes long hours to accomplish. If educators were asked what their goals were for... read more
The Polishing Process
Oh, the thrill of receiving back my Young Authors of Illinois submission with a gold foil sticker embossed with a large star and the word Winner! My masterpiece... read more
Beating Burnout: Podcast Episode 125
Burnout. It’s something that virtually all educators, traditional or homeschool, have felt from time to time. As a home educator, I know I certainly have felt it. For me it typically rears its ugly... 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
Jill’s Gems: The Art of Invention: Breaking It Down into Meaningful Steps
Enjoy Jill Pike's concrete response to a parent’s recent request for help regarding the art of invention. Inventive writing is difficult because it begins with a blank page—what to write? This is why IEW... read more
Considering Aristotle and the Art of Rhetoric: Podcast Episode 124
For Episode 123 Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker waded a little deeper into the topic of advanced thinking skills. Now in Episode 124 they continue the conversation and go even deeper, exploring Aristotle... read more
2017: A Personal Recap
Did you know that, according to Statistic Brain, of all the people who firmly resolve to make some serious changes in their life starting precisely at 00:00:00 on January 1, less than ten... read more
Showing Style: Fun with Vivid Verbs!
Are you finding it a bit challenging to get back into the swing of things after the winter pause? Do you have a classroom of listless children you are struggling to re-engage? One... read more
Deep Thoughts About Thinking: Podcast Episode 123
In August of 2015, IEW officially launched its fledgling podcast—The Arts of Language.The initial topics Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker focused on comprised the foundation of IEW’s approach to education. Episode 8, “The... 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Life Lessons Learned through Spelling
by Ryan Weins Recently I had the privilege of completing a level of IEW’s spelling program, The Phonetic Zoo. Throughout my study,... read more
How to Make Reading Aloud the Best Part of Your Day
Enjoy this guest post by Sarah Mackenzie, author and creator of the popular blog, Read-Aloud Revival. When you’re done, check out... read more
Showing Some Style: Podcast Episodes 126a and 126b
Writing the “IEW way” comprises a twofold approach: structure and style. Students practice combining these two elements, and over time, assuming... read more
Winter Poetry: “The Darkling Thrush”
Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) is remembered today as being one of the most renowned British novelists of all time. His works continue... read more
Reading: Time Well Spent
We have so little time to spend. The hustle and bustle of teaching a multiplicity of subjects to students takes long... read more
The Polishing Process
Oh, the thrill of receiving back my Young Authors of Illinois submission with a gold foil... read more
Beating Burnout: Podcast Episode 125
Burnout. It’s something that virtually all educators, traditional or homeschool, have felt from time to time. As a home educator, I know... 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
Jill’s Gems: The Art of Invention: Breaking It Down into Meaningful Steps
Enjoy Jill Pike's concrete response to a parent’s recent request for help regarding the art of invention. Inventive writing is difficult because... read more
Considering Aristotle and the Art of Rhetoric: Podcast Episode 124
For Episode 123 Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker waded a little deeper into the topic of advanced thinking skills. Now in... read more
2017: A Personal Recap
Did you know that, according to Statistic Brain, of all the people who firmly resolve to make some serious changes in... read more
Showing Style: Fun with Vivid Verbs!
Are you finding it a bit challenging to get back into the swing of things after the winter pause? Do you... read more
Deep Thoughts About Thinking: Podcast Episode 123
In August of 2015, IEW officially launched its fledgling podcast—The Arts of Language.The initial topics Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker focused... 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
