Institute for Excellence in Writing Review

IEW, or Institute for Excellence in Writing has a top of the line writing course called Teaching Writing, Structure and Style.  It is a DVD based writing program by Andrew Pudewa that teaches you how to teach writing to a child of every age.  I’ve used IEW since 2004 and I’ve taught co-op classes and small groups in my home, giving me a lot of experience with this writing program.  (I’m an official Pudewa nut fan.)

The first thing I will tell you about IEW is it is like NO other writing curriculum out there.  It teaches you how to teach writing.  It’s the equivalent to a DVD college course in the correct way to teach writing.  So many other curricula miss the mark by far and do not prepare the child to be able to write about any topic, in any way, whenever asked.

With the right supplements, you can have a 12 year writing program for all your children.  The investment is more then purchasing writing workbooks each year, but the payoff is a competent writer.

Here are the nuts and bolts:

• After watching 9 DVD’s you’ll be able to teach writing in your sleep.
• It’s a step-by-step system that’s fairly easy with a little practice.
• You can use your existing history, science, art, current events etc. as resources to teach the different units once you get the hang of it.
• The IEW supplements are wonderful if you are pressed for time and unable to create your own lesson plans.
• You will ask yourself why no one has taught you this stuff before.

If you are not sure you can put the time into learning the techniques, then learn along with your child and get Teaching Writing and Student Writing Combo Set.

Resources I’ve used for all 9 units and would recommend :

Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons, L. Verstegen
Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons, L. Verstegen
U.S. Hist- Based Vol. 1, L. Verstegen
Character Based Writing Lessons, Daniel Weber

Watch these 2 videos below to see Mr. Pudewa explain in more detail how this program works.

Written by Brenda, classically eclectic mother of 5

Brenda (132 Posts)

Brenda is a homeschooling mother of 5, who has a wonderful husband encouraging her to be the best woman that God has created her to be. Together they are very intentional about spending time together as a family. She considers her daily life with her children as her ministry and has found many avenues to encourage others to live a lifestyle of learning. She is the founder of an online homeschool community, Our Lifestyle of Learning and a curriculum review site authored by a group of well-known homeschool bloggers, Curriculum Choice. She blogs about their homeschool journey and family traditions at Tie That Binds Us.