Homeschool Helpcenter: Find My Homeschool
Your go-to directory for all things related to homeschooling. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler or just starting out, our mission is to connect you with valuable resources and tools to make your homeschooling journey a success.
Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)
IEW's methods provide a comprehensive, systematic, graduated approach for developing great writers. Your students will become fully capable of extracting their ideas, organizing their thoughts, and presenting their results clearly and competently. Guaranteed!
IEW – Elevating Writing with Structure, Style & Confidence (Grades 3–12+)
Introduction
IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) offers a masterfully structured, video-based writing curriculum that transforms reluctant writers into confident communicators. Rooted in systematic, step-by-step instruction and grounded in stylistic excellence, IEW is a versatile, multi-age solution for homeschool families and educators alike.
What Is IEW?
IEW focuses on teaching writing through a dual emphasis on structure and style. Its flagship program, Structure & Style for Students, spans from grades 3 through 12 using levels A, B, and C—each building upon the previous. The method centers on tools like Key Word Outlines, incremental stylistic techniques, and parent-friendly video lessons by founder Andrew Pudewa.
Key Features
Structure & Style Curriculum
- Divided into three levels corresponding roughly to grades 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12—with flexibility based on skill, not grade.
- Lessons unfold across nine progressive units: from note making and outlines to formal critique and academic essays.
Stylish Writing Enhancement
- Gradually introduces techniques like sentence openers, dress‑ups, metaphors, alliteration, and sentence variety—following an “EZ+1” principle to avoid overwhelm.
Video-Based Instruction
- Engaging, full-length video lessons (30–60 minutes) feature real students and humor-infused teaching from Andrew Pudewa—streaming or on DVD—making writing accessible and engaging.
Student Bundles & Organized Approach
- Students receive binders with source texts, models, work-in-progress sections, stylistic guides, banned word lists, and checklists that promote organization and retention.
Checklists & Clear Evaluation
- Checklists help students and parents track mastery of structure, style, mechanics, and vocabulary—leading to objective “Accepted” or “Incomplete” evaluations (or customizable scoring).
Teacher Training Resources
- Teaching Writing: Structure and Style videos guide parents/teachers through methodology, including lesson pacing, common pitfalls, and instructional strategies.
Supplemental Writing Tools
- Additional offerings include Theme-Based Writing Lessons, Poetry Memorization, Fix It! Grammar, and a phonetic spelling program, enriching the writing experience across subjects.
Why Choose IEW?
- Structured & Proven – A reliable framework that supports students through mastery and builds writing confidence.
- Multi-Age & Scalable – Flexible levels accommodate a wide range of learners, letting families teach multiple students together.
- Parent-Friendly – Video-based teaching minimizes prep and lets parents serve as editors and facilitators instead of direct instructors.
- Supports Writing Growth – Through repetition, checklists, and stylistic builds, students internalize writing frameworks for lifelong use.
- Credibility & Engagement – Founded by a respected educator, IEW’s lessons are both academically robust and delightfully delivered.
What Homeschoolers Say
“The video lessons reduced my stress—I don’t have to teach, I just coach.”
“The checklists and binders taught my kids how to structure writing all on their own.”
Parents consistently praise IEW’s humor, clarity, and student engagement.
Conclusion
IEW brings clarity and creativity to writing instruction by systematically combining structure and style with engaging delivery and strong teacher support. Whether your learner is just starting or prepping for college-level writing, IEW delivers tools and confidence every step of the way.
Ready to empower writing success? Learn more about IEW’s programs and sample lessons today.
Similar listings in category
Overcoming Obstacles
Overcoming Obstacles is a nonprofit organization offering a free, award-winning K–12 life skills curriculum designed to help students develop essential social and emotional competencies. Since 1992, their comprehensive lessons have been utilized by over 780,000 educators worldwide, impacting more than 177 million students. The curriculum covers topics such as communication, decision-making, goal setting, conflict resolution, and career readiness. Educators can access and download all materials directly from their digital library without the need for registration. Additionally, the "My Overcoming Obstacles" platform allows for easy customization of lessons to suit specific classroom needs.
Oak Meadow
Oak Meadow offers a secular, print-based homeschool curriculum for PreK–12, blending rigorous academics with creative, experiential learning. Each grade features 36-week lesson plans—replete with readings, hands-on projects, planners, and assessments—that foster critical thinking, self-reflection, and cross‑subject integration with a nature‑ and arts‑centered approach. Families can use Oak Meadow independently or enroll in its accredited distance‑learning school for teacher support and credit‑earning options. Flexible and developmentally attuned, Oak Meadow nurtures the head, heart, and hands throughout the entire learning journey.
Notgrass History
Notgrass History offers a Christian-based, easy-to-use homeschool curriculum for students in grades 1–12. The program combines narrative lessons, primary source documents, historical novels, and hands-on activities to engage students in learning history from a biblical worldview. Designed for families teaching multiple ages together, Notgrass History provides complete, standalone courses in American and world history, geography, civics, and economics. With minimal preparation required, it allows parents to confidently guide their children through rich, meaningful lessons that integrate faith and learning.