An Interview with Linda Mikkotis, Schools Division Senior Implementation Coach: Podcast Episode 133
Many years ago when the seeds for what would become the Institute for Excellence in Writing were first planted, they were sown in a school classroom. IEW has continued to support teachers through... read more
Spring into Nature
Spring. A time of fresh flowers, warm weather, and long walks. In the spring, neighborhoods buzz with the sound of lawn mower engines, and the aroma of newly cut grass greets hopeful children... read more
“I Don’t Want To, but I Will”—Beating the Mid-Semester Blues
It was a classic mid-spring semester burnout. Cold and cloudy got me feeling uninspired and unprepared, to the point I found myself intently hoping that the roads would be icy enough to provide... read more
IEW's Premium Membership: Incredible Results, Digital Convenience
Teaching Writing: Structure and Style is the foundation upon which all of our student coursework is established. Incidentally, it is also the first product that IEW ever published and remained the sole product... read more
Inventive Writing: Podcast Episodes 131a and 131b
The blank page. It’s a formidable foe for young and old. Just looking at a blank page can be enough to increase the heart rate and make the palms sweat. Fortunately, IEW tackles... read more
Saving Grammar
“Grammar is important. Language should be precise. We must teach it well. However, let us not be confused or distracted by feeling a need to teach formal grammar too soon to children who... read more
Perfecting Pieces for Publication—An Interview with Maria Gerber
Behind every great writer is a great editor. This holds true for nearly all great authors, and for us at IEW. IEW has a small but sharp team of editors who work on... read more
Ask Andrew Anything: Podcast Episode 130
Every ten episodes of The Arts of Language Podcast is extra special. On those occasions, Andrew takes the opportunity to answer your questions that come in through Podcast@IEW.com. It’s an enjoyable podcast to... read more
How Then Shall We Read?—An Apology for Literary Analysis
# by Missy Andrews Enjoy this guest blog post written by Missy Andrews, co-author of Teaching the Classics and Worldview Detective. Much has been made in recent years of the prime opportunity childhood presents to shape... read more
Reclaiming the Joy
# # by Lucy Shopen Just over one year ago, I started working at IEW in the customer service department. A month before I began, I was excitedly conversing with one of my sisters about the... read more
Catching Up with Janet Spitler: Podcast Episode 129
# # In our latest podcast, Julie Walker had the opportunity to catch up with Janet Spitler, and that’s no easy feat! Janet is IEW’s Senior Educational Consultant for the Schools Division and is devotedly... read more
Reminiscing: The Battle of the Books
When I was teaching in a homeschool co-op back when my children were younger, each spring our local library invited area middle schools to engage in a round-robin competition, answering questions from any... read more
Becoming a Read-Aloud Family: Podcast Episode 128
# # Recently Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker had an opportunity to sit down with Sarah Mackenzie, busy homeschool mom, accomplished author, and creator of the podcast Read-Aloud Revival. During their time together, Andrew and... 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, 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
An Interview with Linda Mikkotis, Schools Division Senior Implementation Coach: Podcast Episode 133
Many years ago when the seeds for what would become the Institute for Excellence in Writing were first planted, they were... read more
Spring into Nature
Spring. A time of fresh flowers, warm weather, and long walks. In the spring, neighborhoods buzz with the sound of lawn... read more
“I Don’t Want To, but I Will”—Beating the Mid-Semester Blues
It was a classic mid-spring semester burnout. Cold and cloudy got me feeling uninspired and unprepared, to the point I found... read more
IEW's Premium Membership: Incredible Results, Digital Convenience
Teaching Writing: Structure and Style is the foundation upon which all of our student coursework is established. Incidentally, it is also... read more
Inventive Writing: Podcast Episodes 131a and 131b
The blank page. It’s a formidable foe for young and old. Just looking at a blank page can be enough to... read more
Saving Grammar
“Grammar is important. Language should be precise. We must teach it well. However, let us not be confused or distracted by... read more
Perfecting Pieces for Publication—An Interview with Maria Gerber
Behind every great writer is a great editor. This holds true for nearly all great authors, and for us at IEW.... read more
Ask Andrew Anything: Podcast Episode 130
Every ten episodes of The Arts of Language Podcast is extra special. On those occasions, Andrew takes the opportunity to answer... read more
How Then Shall We Read?—An Apology for Literary Analysis
# by Missy Andrews Enjoy this guest blog post written by Missy Andrews, co-author of Teaching the Classics and Worldview Detective. Much has been... read more
Reclaiming the Joy
# # by Lucy Shopen Just over one year ago, I started working at IEW in the customer service department. A month before I... read more
Catching Up with Janet Spitler: Podcast Episode 129
# # In our latest podcast, Julie Walker had the opportunity to catch up with Janet Spitler, and that’s no easy feat! Janet... read more
Reminiscing: The Battle of the Books
When I was teaching in a homeschool co-op back when my children were younger, each spring our local library invited area... read more
Becoming a Read-Aloud Family: Podcast Episode 128
# # Recently Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker had an opportunity to sit down with Sarah Mackenzie, busy homeschool mom, accomplished author, and... 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
