Episode 521: Announcing the 2026 IEW Writing Contest

  In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss the prompts for the annual IEW Writing Contest. Listen to this episode to learn why does IEW have a writing contest, what the value of entering a writing contest is for students, and how a writing contest fits into the types of motivation. Andrew breaks down the prompts and talks about how a writer might approach this essay.   Referenced Materials IEW Writing Contest Other Writing Contests “The Benefits of Entering Writing Contests” Principles of Motivation audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Magnum Opus Magazine Transcript of Podcast Episode 521   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]

  How do you motivate your students to do more than the bare minimum? Are there ways to help your students write better topic-clincher sentences? Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they discuss these questions and more in another Ask Andrew Anything episode. You never know what question Julie may ask! Referenced Materials Episode 478: What’s in Your Audible Account? Episode 231:The Dyslexic Advantage – A Conversation with Brock and Fernette Eide, Part 1 Episode 159: IEW and Dyslexia – A Conversation with Susan Barton Principles of Motivation audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Memoria Press Logic courses The Art of Argument The Argument Builder Fix It!® Grammar Structure and Style® for Students: Year 1 Level A Episode 398: Think like Shakespeare, Part 1 Link to Episode 520 video Transcript of Podcast Episode 520   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]

Why is it important to teach grammar? How does grammar help with comprehension and skills beyond just knowing the parts of speech? Listen as Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker dive into this valuable subject. Andrew shares a bit of the history behind the Fix It!® Grammar series and talks about why it is an effective method of teaching grammar. Referenced Materials But . . . but . . . but . . . What about Grammar? audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Fix It! Grammar Fix It! Grammar free lessons Transcript of Podcast Episode 519   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 highlight the IEW Checklist Generator™ that allows teachers and teaching parents to customize their students’ checklists and to provide clear and reasonable expectations for assignments. They also discuss the intangible benefits of using the checklist, such as helping students organize their work and learn responsibility to “do what you check and check what you do.” Referenced Materials Episode 516: The Power of the Checklist Portable Walls™ for Structure and Style® Students A Word Write Now IEW Writing Toolbox app The IEW Checklist Generator, Making EZ+1 Easy! Premium Membership Transcript of Podcast Episode 518   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]

This episode is a recording of Julie Walker presenting the EZ+1: IEW's Step-by-Step Teaching Method webinar. Learning to write is foundational to a child’s education, but for many students it is confusing and frustrating. Likewise, for some teachers, training students in composition can seem overly complex and burdensome. However, teaching students to write well is not only possible, but it can be enjoyable!   Referenced Materials Webinar presentation slides Free lessons from IEW courses Structure and Style® for Students Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Fix It!® Grammar University-Ready Writing Writing Across the Curriculum Introduction to Public Speaking Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization The Phonetic Zoo Primary Arts of Language IEW Schools Department Transcript of Podcast Episode 517   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 discuss the history of the IEW’s methodology and how the checklist makes it possible for students to enjoy writing. Julie also shares about the IEW Checklist Generator™, IEW® Gradebook, and instructor accreditation.   Referenced Materials Blended Structure and Style in Composition by Dr. James B. Webster Episode 416: A Tribute to Dr. James B. Webster “The Online IEW Checklist Generator™” IEW® Gradebook Episode 512: IEW Gradebook – Why Teachers Love It Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® IEW Accreditation Dr. Webster’s University Essay Checklists “The Power of the Checklist”   Transcript of Podcast Episode 516   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]

Picture a hall filled with row upon row of booths showcasing curriculum, activity kits, and books! Add many homeschool parents (and maybe some grandparents), helpful consultants, and plenty of engaging speakers. This is the ideal recipe for a refreshing and inspiring weekend at a homeschool convention. Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker as they discuss why you should attend a conference and how to prepare to get the most out of your weekend.   Referenced Materials Homeschool conventions where you can find IEW in 2026 Episode 415: Get Thee to a Homeschool Convention “Encouragement for the Journey” Andrew Pudewa convention talk recordings Transcript of Podcast Episode 515   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 insists, “If you're ever feeling a little low on hope for the future, get yourself to a speech and debate tournament and just see young people flourishing in every way.” In this episode, learn why he believes this as he and Julie Walker interview three of the NCFCA 2025 Champions: Abbagail Fagot, Pierce Stanton, and Jonathan Paul. These students share how they started with speech and debate, how it prepares them academically, and how it benefitted them in some intangible ways as well.   Referenced Materials NCFCA Episode 487: Helping Students Avoid Plagiarism, Part 1 Episode 459: Speech and Debate with Christy Shipe Episode 427: NCFCA with Kim Cromer✟ Introduction to Public Speaking Introduction to Public Speaking free lessons NCFCA 2025–26 Tournaments Transcript of Podcast Episode 514   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 we begin a new year, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker sit down to talk about a question that is on every educator’s mind: how and when to use AI? With the swiftly changing technology, Andrew notes that our conclusions today may change in a month. With that in mind, he provides some suggestions for how to think about the use of AI and how to best prepare students to use AI well. Referenced Materials Structure and Style® for Students: Year 1 Level C A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis Podcast 481: Writing Across the Curriculum with Dr. O’Toole The Chronicle of Higher Education Transcript of Podcast Episode 513   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 interviews Heidi Thomas, the “wizard behind the curtain” who has helped develop IEW® Gradebook as well as many of the Writing Across the Curriculum courses. Heidi shares how IEW Gradebook helps teachers efficiently and effectively grade papers and get their weekends back. Referenced Materials IEW Gradebook “It Keeps Getting Better!” “Simplify Grading with IEW Gradebook” “Teacher Spotlight: Laura McMahon, Ivywood Classical Academy” “Teacher Spotlight: Heidi Plocher, Michigan Lutheran High School” Heidi Thomas Transcript for Podcast Episode 512 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]