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
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
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
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
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
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
The Right Tool Matters
Imagine a hammer on Jell-O®, a screwdriver for surgery, or a round peg in a square hole. The wrong tool at the wrong time can impair what we’re doing. That’s bad enough when we’re... read more
Starting Strong in September, Structure and Style Units 1 & 2: Part 2: Podcast Episode 108b
As you begin this new school year, be encouraged to make a great start in public speaking and writing. Andrew reviews Units 1 and 2 of the IEW syllabus, Note Making and Outlines and... read more
My Battle with the Blank Page
Writer’s block. Is this phrase as ominous for everyone else as it is for me? Like someone stuck in a cell block, I envision myself sitting in a prison cell, cold, alone, and... read more
Grammar Check: Affect or Effect?
Words are funny little things. Each letter matters. Words that sound alike, called homophones (homo = same, phone = sound), have different spellings and different meanings. As such, they are easily confusable and... read more
Jill’s Gems: There is Value in the (Brain)storm
As we seek to teach stylistic techniques to our students, it is easy to search for ways to streamline the process. One of these temptations is the worksheet. Filled with practice sentences and... read more
Jill’s Gems: There is Value in the (Brain)storm
As we seek to teach stylistic techniques to our students, it is easy to search for ways to streamline the process. One of these temptations is the worksheet. Filled with practice sentences and... read more
Experience Unit 3 with People and Places in Our Community and World History-Based Writing Lessons
September is nearly over, but before you switch from retelling stories in Unit 3 to funneling facts in Unit 4, check out these story samples pulled from two of our latest theme-based books.... read more
Punctuation Matters!
Many of us have seen the meme, Let’s eat Grandma! It’s a powerful reminder how a tiny little punctuation mark, the comma, imparts so much significance to a sentence. A serene little comma... read more
A Poem in Honor of Fall
Fall is here! The days of summer, with its hot sun, refreshing dips in the pool, and long days of languid rest, are done. With fall comes school activities, cooler temperatures, and a... read more
A Brief Tour through the IEW Writing Units
When you teach writing with IEW®, you are constructing a solid writing foundation for your students. IEW’s writing structure is based upon nine units or structural models. But what are those models? A... read more
Where Are They Now? Carly Torres: Confident in College
IEW® writing method works in a variety of environments. Many students encounter it in their homeschools. Others, though, learn to write using IEW materials in different settings. Carly Torres first experienced IEW at... read more
Mastery Matters
“Every child can learn. Everyone can do well. You just have to create the right conditions." – Andrew Pudewa Every student is capable of taking a journey toward becoming a confident, competent communicator. This confidence and... read more
Calm in the Storm
As a member of the IEW “remote” team, I make my home near St. Augustine, Florida. It’s a beautiful city in a lovely part of the state, and I enjoy my home in... read more
However Imperfectly, Part 3: Podcast Episode 106
In this final installment of "However Imperfectly," Andrew shares the last three of the seven important lessons he has learned in almost thirty years of teaching to help teachers and students alike excel in... read more
Customer Service Answers: Primary Arts of Language
Beginning your homeschooling years can feel very intimidating. After all, those early years are when you craft the strong foundation for future educational success. Specifically the three Rs— reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic—can generate... read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Right Tool Matters
Imagine a hammer on Jell-O®, a screwdriver for surgery, or a round peg in a square hole. The wrong tool at the... read more
Starting Strong in September, Structure and Style Units 1 & 2: Part 2: Podcast Episode 108b
As you begin this new school year, be encouraged to make a great start in public speaking and writing. Andrew reviews... read more
My Battle with the Blank Page
Writer’s block. Is this phrase as ominous for everyone else as it is for me? Like someone stuck in a cell... read more
Grammar Check: Affect or Effect?
Words are funny little things. Each letter matters. Words that sound alike, called homophones (homo = same, phone = sound), have... read more
Jill’s Gems: There is Value in the (Brain)storm
As we seek to teach stylistic techniques to our students, it is easy to search for ways to streamline the process.... read more
Jill’s Gems: There is Value in the (Brain)storm
As we seek to teach stylistic techniques to our students, it is easy to search for ways to streamline the process.... read more
Experience Unit 3 with People and Places in Our Community and World History-Based Writing Lessons
September is nearly over, but before you switch from retelling stories in Unit 3 to funneling facts in Unit 4, check... read more
Punctuation Matters!
Many of us have seen the meme, Let’s eat Grandma! It’s a powerful reminder how a tiny little punctuation mark, the... read more
A Poem in Honor of Fall
Fall is here! The days of summer, with its hot sun, refreshing dips in the pool, and long days of languid... read more
A Brief Tour through the IEW Writing Units
When you teach writing with IEW®, you are constructing a solid writing foundation for your students. IEW’s writing structure is based... read more
Where Are They Now? Carly Torres: Confident in College
IEW® writing method works in a variety of environments. Many students encounter it in their homeschools. Others, though, learn to write... read more
Mastery Matters
“Every child can learn. Everyone can do well. You just have to create the right conditions." – Andrew Pudewa Every student is capable of... read more
Calm in the Storm
As a member of the IEW “remote” team, I make my home near St. Augustine, Florida. It’s a beautiful city in... read more
However Imperfectly, Part 3: Podcast Episode 106
In this final installment of "However Imperfectly," Andrew shares the last three of the seven important lessons he has learned in almost... read more
Customer Service Answers: Primary Arts of Language
Beginning your homeschooling years can feel very intimidating. After all, those early years are when you craft the strong foundation for... read more
