Episode 528: The Power of Asking Questions

  Andrew Pudewa answers your questions about the difference between editing and grading a paper, what “hands off content” means, and how to help students improve their use of dress-ups and openers at the point of need. Julie Walker ends the episode with a special announcement about an upcoming event, so be sure to listen all the way to the end!   Referenced Materials But . . . but . . . but . . . What about Grammar? audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing audio talk by Andrew Pudewa “Marking and Grading” by Andrew Pudewa Writing Across the Curriculum Episode 448: Degree Free with Hannah Maruyama Episode 550 Registration Transcript of Podcast Episode 530   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 interview Debbi Hall, IEW’s Educational Consultant for Independent Study Schools/Programs. They discuss what independent study schools are and how IEW supports them. Debbi shares her enthusiasm for assisting teachers and teaching parents with their students’ needs.   Referenced Materials Debbi Hall Independent Study Charter Schools Try IEW's Top Curriculum for Free! IEW Accreditation Transcript of Podcast Episode 529   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 Laying the Foundation episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss one of the foundational skills that IEW teaches along with writing—asking questions. Andrew reviews the structural units to show how the units use questions to help students with “what to write about.” In the process, students build thinking skills. Referenced Materials Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® “The Power of the Method Is in the Structure” University-Ready Writing “How IEW Teaches Thinking” Transcript of Podcast Episode 528   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]

  Go to Part 1. In the second part of this recording from the 2026 IEW Winter Retreat, a panel of Schools Department team members join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker to continue discussing tips and tricks for avoiding the four deadly errors in the classroom. They end with a conversation about AI in the classroom.   Referenced Materials IEW Winter Retreat recording on YouTube Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing by Andrew Pudewa            Audio talk            Article Transcript of Podcast Episode 527   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]

  Go to Part 2. In this recording from the 2026 IEW Winter Retreat, a panel of Schools Department team members join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker to discuss tips and tricks for avoiding the four deadly errors in the classroom. They give classroom-tested strategies for using IEW tools to make writing accessible and enjoyable for every student.   Referenced Materials “Process versus Product” by Andrew Pudewa “Imitation: A Common-Sense Approach” by Andrew Pudewa However Imperfectly: Lessons Learned from Thirty Years of Teaching by Andrew Pudewa            Article            Book Premium Membership “The Power of the Checklist” “The IEW Checklist Generator: Making EZ+1 Easy!” Writing Across the Curriculum From Copywork to Composition audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Transcript of Podcast Episode 526   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 fast-paced episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker chat with Ben Greenfield, who was in one of Andrew’s first writing classes. The discussion covers an array of topics, from health and wellness to parenting to homeschooling and family life. As the author of the Boundless series, Ben exudes boundless energy and excitement for life. Referenced Materials Ben Greenfield Life website Ben Greenfield's books Whole Stix Episode 364: Health and Wellness with Katie Wells Ben’s sons’ card game Transcript of Podcast Episode 525   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]

  Is the workplace trend of quiet quitting spilling over into education? Join Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker for a discussion about motivation and how to help kids develop greater attention spans and a desire to learn. Andrew talks about the importance of helping students develop hobbies and learn to make and do real things away from screens. Referenced Materials “Are Students 'Quiet Quitting'? What the Workplace Trend Can Teach Us About K-12” Education Week Facebook post “The Art and Science of Motivation” by Andrew Pudewa However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa Principles of Motivation audio talk by Andrew Pudewa Writing Contests “What is IEW? Method not Madness” by Andrew Pudewa Transcript of Podcast Episode 524   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]

  “If the children can’t go to the walls, the walls must come to the children.” Listen to this episode to learn the history of the popular Portable Walls™ products. Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker share the inspiration behind these handy resources and the variations that have been developed through the years.    Referenced Materials Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® Portable Walls™ for Structure and Style® Students Portable Walls™ for Academic Writing Portable Walls™ for the Public Speaker Portable Walls™ Grammar on the Go “Sound City, the Heart of Anna Ingham’s Language Arts Program” Rocklin School District Study   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]

  “Don’t start a sentence with because!” is a common refrain among teachers. In this episode, Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker discuss why this word is important and how it fits into IEW’s list of stylistic techniques. Andrew considers how this word promotes thinking and why teaching students to use it provides exercise in overcoming awkwardness in writing. Why else should you listen to this episode? You should listen because you will discover how learning to write actually helps you learn to listen better.   Referenced Materials Teaching Writing: Structure and Style® “But it’s so . . . so . . . awkward!” University-Ready Writing IEW Accreditation Transcript of Podcast Episode 522   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 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]