Episode 485: Tips for New Homeschoolers

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker continue their live session at the NCFCA National Championships. This part of the conversation focused on how using the IEW methodology helps students avoid plagiarism. Andrew also discussed whether there is a place for AI in academics. Listen to hear what students asked Andrew at the end of the session. Go to Part 1 Referenced Materials NCFCA Christian Speech and Debate Episode 354: Paper and Pen – What the Research Says University-Ready Writing University-Ready Writing free lessons Episode 492: Academic Integrity with Dr. Stephen Hale (posts 8/27/25)  IEW Gradebook Transcript of Podcast Episode 488 If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected] your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA). If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

Andrew Pudewa and Julia Walker recorded this two-part podcast at the NCFCA National Championship in St. Paul, Minnesota, in June 2025. They discuss what plagiarism is, why it is easier for students to plagiarize today, and why it is important to avoid plagiarism. Be sure to listen to part two as they discuss some solutions to this problem.  Go to Part 2 Referenced Materials NCFCA Christian Speech and Debate Episode 459: Speech and Debate with Christy Shipe Hacking High School: Rethinking the Teen Years audio talk by Andrew Pudewa “Writing Maketh an Exact Man” article by Andrew Pudewa Episode 492: Academic Integrity with Dr. Stephen Hale (posts 8/27/25)  Transcript of Podcast Episode 487 If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected] your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA). If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss how children thrive when parents read aloud to them. Reading aloud builds family bonds and shared memories as well as increases vocabulary and comprehension. Listen to this episode to learn more.   Referenced Materials Summer Help from IEW “Is having a loving family an unfair advantage?” Episode 354: Paper and Pen — What the Research Says Read Aloud Revival Structure and Style® for Students free lessons Theme-Based Writing Lessons Grammar for a Full Life by Lawrence Weinstein Transcript of Podcast Episode 486   If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected] your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA). If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker share their top tips for new homeschool families. They focus on overall lifestyle choices and priorities instead of specific curriculum recommendations. If you are considering homeschooling or know someone who is, this is the perfect episode. Grab a glass of iced tea or lemonade and glean some wisdom from Andrew and Julie.   Referenced Materials However Imperfectly audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Episode 326: Fatherhood and Family – A Dad Talk, Part 1 Hacking High School audio talk by Andrew Pudewa The Etiquette Factory IEW Annual Educators’ Conference Transcript of Podcast Episode 485   If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected] your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA). If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker continue diving into this year's theme: How to Think. In this episode, they talk about famous questions and quotations that have to do with thinking and learning, as well as some that spark thinking. Listen to glean some questions and quotations that will spark thoughtful conversations in your home or classroom.   Referenced Materials The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Episode 398: Think like Shakespeare, Part 1 How to Think like Shakespeare: Lessons from a Renaissance Education by Scott Newstok What Are We Really Doing Here? by Andrew Pudewa Article Audio talk However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa Transcript of Podcast Episode 484   If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected] your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA). If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker talk about how the use of AI for writing impacts the process of training students to be critical thinkers. While it may be tempting for students and parents alike to use AI for writing because it is faster and easier, Andrew encourages parents to realize the dangers, including inaccurate facts, imprecise thinking, and unfounded opinions.   Referenced Materials “Writing Maketh an Exact Man” article by Andrew Pudewa Arts of Language homeschool magalog Transcript of Podcast Episode 483 If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected] your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA). If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker are joined by IEW’s Customer Support Manager, Catherine Hafer, to discuss the many roles that the customer service team members fill as they serve you and IEW.   Referenced Materials Catherine Hafer Our Team Principles of Motivation audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Transcript of Podcast Episode 482             If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected] your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA). If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

In this engaging episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the idea of writing across the curriculum with Dr. Kathleen O’Toole, Associate Vice President for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College. They discuss the exciting partnership IEW has formed with the Hillsdale K-12 program that provides guidance and partnership for classical schools as well as teacher training events. They also share the benefits for students and teachers when writing can be integrated with the overall curriculum.    Referenced Materials Dr. James B. Webster Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® Theme-Based Writing Lessons Hillsdale College Hillsdale K-12 Education Adventures in Writing Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence K-12 at Home Transcript of Podcast Episode 481   If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected] your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA). If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]

In this Live Ask Andrew Anything episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker answer questions submitted by listeners. Listen as they discuss how to find the literature suggestions in IEW’s courses, how to decide what courses to use first with younger students, why the levels of some of the theme-based books have changed, what books Andrew is reading now, and more!    Referenced Materials Structure and Style® for Students: Year 1 Level C Structure and Style for Students: Year 2 Level B The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting Investigations in Writing Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level A Fix It!® Grammar Wonders of Science Writing Lessons Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni The Plague by Albert Camus 1984 by George Orwell Silence by Shūsaku Endō Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley The End of the World Is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan We Who Wrestle with God by Jordan B. Peterson IEW Online Classes Structure and Style for Students: Year 3 Level B Writing Contests Magnum Opus Magazine Structure and Style for Students: Year 2 Level C Paper and Pen – What the Research Says audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Link to Episode 480 video Transcript of Podcast Episode 480   If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected] your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA). If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]  

IEW’s instructor accreditation program is back and better than ever! In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker sit down with Denise Kelley, Director of Product Development at IEW. They talk about the history and purpose of the accreditation program before explaining the new tiers of accreditation and the improved process for becoming accredited. If you want to know more about the new accreditation program, listen to this podcast and visit the IEW Accreditation Program web page.   Referenced Materials IEW Accreditation Program Apply for IEW Accreditation Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® Seminar Structure and Style for Students IEW® Gradebook Transcript of Podcast Episode 479   If you have questions for Andrew, send them to [email protected] your question will be answered at the next Ask Andrew Anything (AAA). If you have questions about IEW products or classes, contact customer service at 800.856.5815 or [email protected]