Episode 511: Back to the Basics

In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker introduce IEW’s theme for 2026: Laying the Foundation. They answer the questions: What are the basics? How does IEW help students get back to the basics of learning? They talk about the simple, timeless, and elegant ways that IEW helps students cultivate attentiveness, memory, and ideas. Listen to the end to hear Julie make a special announcement.   Referenced Materials Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® IEW Homeschool Magalog IEW Schools Magalog    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 address questions from our listeners as well as questions that have been sent to our customer service team. The questions include whether IEW helps with specific mnemonics for writing, whether IEW methods provide scaffolding, and what to do when you take the month of December off. Andrew also reads some of the mail that he has received from students. Julie ends with a question about what kinds of books to read, and Andrew’s answer may surprise you.   Referenced Materials Structure and Style® for Students Fix It!® Grammar Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization University-Ready Writing Introduction to Public Speaking Transcript of Podcast Episode 510 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, Julie Walker is joined by Terra Tyler, customer accounts manager, to talk about Christmas traditions old and new. They talk about family recipes, Christmas activities, and, of course, IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giving. Referenced Materials Twelve Days of Christmas Giving 100 days countdown reel Twelve Days of Christmas Giving 50 days countdown reel History of Musubi Recipe for Musubi Twelve Days of Christmas Giving Transcript of Podcast Episode 509   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 podcast, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker introduce the listeners to Kimberly Klokus, the founder of River’s Run, which exists to “equip [and s]upply foster families and foster children going into care with resources and supplies they need to ease the trauma.” Kimberly’s joy and enthusiasm overflow as she shares her story and how others can help those who are in the foster system as either children or caregivers. Listen and be encouraged. Referenced Materials River’s Run Cottage River’s Run Amazon Wish List NCFCA Christian Speech & Debate Transcript of Podcast Episode 508   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]

We are wrapping up our year of focusing on how to think. In this episode, Julie Walker asks Andrew Pudewa to share his experience with teaching Unit 5 and how this provides training for the later units. They talk about the history of Unit 5 and how it can help with higher level thinking needed for writing conclusions and critiques. They also discuss how this unit provides a place for students to be a little more creative than the other units and why it fits well as a bit of freedom in the middle of the year. Referenced Materials “Asking Questions with Unit 5” Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® Episode 398: Think like Shakespeare, Part 1 Transcript to Podcast Episode 507 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]

As our listeners know, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker are tireless advocates for reading aloud, but it can be hard for busy parents to fit in all that reading. In this podcast, Andrew and Julie interview the Winsteads, who are trying to solve this problem and provide quality recordings for 1000 good books. Learn more in this episode about the 1000 Good Books Project and how your family can enjoy classic books for all ages. Referenced Materials Nurturing Competent Communicators audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Read-Aloud Revival “Letter to a Bookshelf” by Andrew Pudewa 1000 Good Books Project John Senior John Senior’s The Thousand Good Books list Mark Van Doren The Restoration of Christian Culture by John Senior The Death of Christian Culture by John Senior How to Listen (1000 Good Books Project) Gift membership (1000 Good Books Project) Twelve Days of Christmas Giving Transcript of Podcast Episode 506   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 podcast episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker spend some time speaking with Amber O’Neal Johnston, known to many as the Heritage Mom. She is a homeschool mom and writer who is passionate about sharing about homeschooling, parenting, literature, history, travel, and family culture. In this encouraging episode, she shares how books can be mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. Referenced Materials Amber O’Neal Johnston Heritage Mom blog Rudine Sims Bishop Sweet Tea and Cookies by Amber O’Neal Johnston Homegrown: Guidance and Inspiration for Navigating Your Homeschooling Journey edited by Amber O’Neal Johnston A Place to Belong: Raising Kids to Celebrate Their Heritage, Community, and the World by Amber O’Neal Johnston Soul School: Taking Kids on a Joy-Filled Journey Through the Heart of Black American Culture by Amber O’Neal Johnston IEW Events: Conventions Transcript of Podcast Episode 505   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 “While Andrew is Away” episode, Julie Walker is joined by IEW’s Schools Department Manager Jeff Nease. He explains the importance of connecting with an Educational Consultant and staying connected even after the order has been placed. Additionally, he explains how schools use IEW writing courses for student instruction, teacher modeling, and professional development. Jeff wraps up the episode with his personal motivation: “When teachers feel equipped, students flourish.”   Referenced Materials IEW Schools Department Jeff Nease Connect with Your Educational Consultant Episode 474: Professional Development with Jeff Nease Structure and Style® for Students 60-Second School Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Select a Training Preference “Writing across the Curriculum and Why It Matters” Theme-Based Writing Lessons (soon to be Writing Across the Curriculum) IEW Accreditation IEW Gradebook Studies and Research Testimonials Transcript of Podcast Episode 504   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 thought-provoking episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss how to think and how that applies to challenging assumptions. They discuss the ways that IEW challenges some assumptions about teaching writing. Julie asks Andrew to describe argumentative and persuasive essays and how those teach students to consider others’ opinions. Referenced Materials Episode 499: A Conversation about Critical Thinking with Jennifer Mauser “Why and How Should We Teach Critical Thinking?” Structure and Style® for Students “Writing Essays with Unit 8” Episode 307: Changing Someone’s Mind – The Power of Persuasive Writing Transcript of Podcast Episode 503   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 have a conversation with Dr. Colin Chesley, associate vice president of the College of Health and Public Services at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Florida. They discuss the challenges facing students today in higher education and the challenges presented by AI. Dr. Chesley discusses how IEW has helped his own children and how University-Ready Writing can prepare students for college writing assignments.   Referenced Materials Dr. Colin Chesley Daytona State College “The Writing Skills Gap” “Writing Maketh an Exact Man” by Andrew Pudewa Episode 398: Think like Shakespeare, Part 1 University-Ready Writing “Streamlining Research with Unit 6” Transcript of Podcast Episode 502   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]