National Dog Day: Celebrating the Special Relationship between People and Their Pooches
It’s been said that the dog is man’s best friend. This aphorism has certainly been born out in classic literature. August 26 marks National Dog Day, a day to celebrate our special relationships... read more
Supercharging Classroom Creativity and Motivation: Podcast Episode 336
For many teachers and students, the start of the school year brings with it great excitement for the learning and growth ahead. The fresh start is encouraging, and motivation is high. As the... read more
Launching the Foundations of Literacy through Structure and Style in Grades K–2 Foundation #2: Building Grammar Skills with Poetry
In Part 1 of this series on IEW’s primary materials, we discussed poetry as a powerful tool in language development, specifically in building language skills and boosting reading comprehension. Part 2 examines the... read more
Edit with a Smile
Teaching writing would be my favorite job if it weren’t for grading. When a student hands in a composition and a teacher sees all the mistakes, how does one avoid the inevitable frustration?... read more
Homeschool 101 – A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Dunne: Podcast Episode 335✝
With the hope of offering support and resources to new and current homeschooling families, Andrew and Julie dedicate every ten episodes to the Homeschool 101 series. For this special edition of the series,... read more
Seeking Student Authors and Artists: An Exciting Magnum Opus Magazine Opportunity
Magnum Opus Magazine, IEW’s premier showcase of work from students around the world, is publishing a print edition in 2023 and is actively soliciting submissions from students. Before you jump into the school... read more
A Poem: “Bed in Summer”
One of the hallmarks of spring for most of the United States is the annual shift to daylight saving time. This time switch also happens to run over the summer, when the daylight... read more
To hyphenate or not to hyphenate, that is the question.
The humble hyphen ( ‐ ) is a subdued punctuation mark indicated by a short dash line. It serves a number of purposes grammatically, many of which we will take a look at... read more
How to Obliterate Writer’s Block
The blank page. It can be a formidable force. An intimidating expanse of seemingly interminable white, the empty page has been known to bring even the most prolific writer to his knees. But... read more
Off to a Strong Start: Preparing for Writing Instruction with Structure and Style
Arranging desks, unpacking new textbooks, and dusting off classroom libraries in a freshly cleaned classroom gives even the most seasoned veteran a happy feeling of anticipation for the year ahead. Making a new... read more
Letter to the Editor: Podcast Episode 333
In Andrew’s classroom he requests that his students hire an editor to look over and mark up their rough drafts prior to turning them in. In fact, Andrew has even written a letter... read more
Launching the Foundations of Literacy through Structure and Style in Grades K–2 Foundation #1: Language Development through Poetry
IEW’s instructional materials for the primary grades are based on the proven methods of the Institute for Excellence in Writing’s Structure and Style approach and are inspired by the language development activities of... read more
Growing Young Readers and Writers
Why are the Primary Posters necessary in a K–2 classroom? One of the questions we hear frequently from teachers and principals concerns our Primary Posters for Kindergarten, Grade One and Grade Two: “Is this... read more
Pursuing College in a Whole New Way – A Conversation with Dr. Nicholas Ellis: Podcast Episode 331
Recently Dr. Nicholas Ellis paid a visit to IEW’s campus in Bixby, Oklahoma. Dr. Ellis is the founder and CEO of Christian Halls International (CHI), and Andrew and Julie were honored to welcome... read more
Literary Devices: Examining Consonance, Alliteration, and Assonance
In prior posts we have examined onomatopoeia as well as similes and metaphors. Today we will investigate three more literary devices: consonance, alliteration, and assonance. In the sample poems, the devices are underlined... read more
Assimilate!
If you are a logophile and the thought of digging into the technicalities of the English language energizes you, then today’s blog is for you! In the blog post “Meet the Mighty Morpheme,”... read more
Ask Andrew Anything: Podcast Episode 330
IEW’s customer service and schools division teams offer support to parents and teachers as they answer questions through emails, chats, and phone calls. Occasionally, however, Andrew addresses customers’ questions himself. This is one... read more
Celebrate the Checklist
Oh, checklist, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. True, loving the IEW checklist is probably going too far, but when used properly, it can be a lovely thing. From... read more
IEW’s Checklist: Supporting Student Success
IEW’s Checklist: Supporting Student Success* One question we hear often regards the checklist. Many teachers wonder if they really have to hold their students to the checklist of dress-ups and sentence openers, mostly... read more
Training Method Options, Part 5: Live On-Site Professional Development – Demonstration and Coaching Day
Over the course of my 34-year career as a classroom teacher, I participated in scores of staff development days, where my colleagues and I were trained in new instructional strategies or learned to... read more
Where It All Began – IEW’s Founding and Mission: Podcast Episode 329
Andrew Pudewa is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing and has been teaching writing for over thirty years. What some people might not know, however, is that Andrew’s... read more
National Dog Day: Celebrating the Special Relationship between People and Their Pooches
It’s been said that the dog is man’s best friend. This aphorism has certainly been born out in classic literature. August... read more
Supercharging Classroom Creativity and Motivation: Podcast Episode 336
For many teachers and students, the start of the school year brings with it great excitement for the learning and growth... read more
Launching the Foundations of Literacy through Structure and Style in Grades K–2 Foundation #2: Building Grammar Skills with Poetry
In Part 1 of this series on IEW’s primary materials, we discussed poetry as a powerful tool in language development, specifically... read more
Edit with a Smile
Teaching writing would be my favorite job if it weren’t for grading. When a student hands in a composition and a... read more
Homeschool 101 – A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Dunne: Podcast Episode 335✝
With the hope of offering support and resources to new and current homeschooling families, Andrew and Julie dedicate every ten episodes... read more
Seeking Student Authors and Artists: An Exciting Magnum Opus Magazine Opportunity
Magnum Opus Magazine, IEW’s premier showcase of work from students around the world, is publishing a print edition in 2023 and... read more
A Poem: “Bed in Summer”
One of the hallmarks of spring for most of the United States is the annual shift to daylight saving time. This... read more
To hyphenate or not to hyphenate, that is the question.
The humble hyphen ( ‐ ) is a subdued punctuation mark indicated by a short dash line. It serves a number... read more
How to Obliterate Writer’s Block
The blank page. It can be a formidable force. An intimidating expanse of seemingly interminable white, the empty page has been... read more
Off to a Strong Start: Preparing for Writing Instruction with Structure and Style
Arranging desks, unpacking new textbooks, and dusting off classroom libraries in a freshly cleaned classroom gives even the most seasoned veteran... read more
Letter to the Editor: Podcast Episode 333
In Andrew’s classroom he requests that his students hire an editor to look over and mark up their rough drafts prior... read more
Launching the Foundations of Literacy through Structure and Style in Grades K–2 Foundation #1: Language Development through Poetry
IEW’s instructional materials for the primary grades are based on the proven methods of the Institute for Excellence in Writing’s Structure... read more
Growing Young Readers and Writers
Why are the Primary Posters necessary in a K–2 classroom? One of the questions we hear frequently from teachers and principals concerns... read more
Pursuing College in a Whole New Way – A Conversation with Dr. Nicholas Ellis: Podcast Episode 331
Recently Dr. Nicholas Ellis paid a visit to IEW’s campus in Bixby, Oklahoma. Dr. Ellis is the founder and CEO of... read more
Literary Devices: Examining Consonance, Alliteration, and Assonance
In prior posts we have examined onomatopoeia as well as similes and metaphors. Today we will investigate three more literary devices:... read more
Assimilate!
If you are a logophile and the thought of digging into the technicalities of the English language energizes you, then today’s... read more
Ask Andrew Anything: Podcast Episode 330
IEW’s customer service and schools division teams offer support to parents and teachers as they answer questions through emails, chats, and... read more
Celebrate the Checklist
Oh, checklist, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. True, loving the IEW checklist is probably going too... read more
IEW’s Checklist: Supporting Student Success
IEW’s Checklist: Supporting Student Success* One question we hear often regards the checklist. Many teachers wonder if they really have to... read more
Training Method Options, Part 5: Live On-Site Professional Development – Demonstration and Coaching Day
Over the course of my 34-year career as a classroom teacher, I participated in scores of staff development days, where my... read more
Where It All Began – IEW’s Founding and Mission: Podcast Episode 329
Andrew Pudewa is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing and has been teaching writing for over... read more
