Institute for Excellence in Writing

OtherGrade 5

About This Curriculum

IEW gives parents the structure and the tools they need to: Regarding the IEW courses– The DVD format provides helpful information for the teacher. In the DVDs, Andrew Pudewa shows parents how to put his methods into practice (it turns out, it’s quite easy!). The student DVDs (optional, but recommended) provide additional support and modeling for you and for your students. The student materials contain all the source texts, checklists, and assignments that are needed for the course (making it easy for everyone). Student materials include model paragraphs, stories, and report source texts so your students can focus on the how of writing rather than on the what of writing. Students are taught note taking skills, how to write paragraphs, stories, essays, reports, critiques, and how to write creatively. Stylistic techniques are taught as well. Information is taught incrementally to help students move from the basics into more independent, sophisticated writing. It’s easy to use IEW courses year after year—so there’s no need to shop and switch curriculum. Your students can just move to the next level. That’s a plus! Please enter at least 2 characters for name. Please enter at least 10 characters for details.

What makes it unique: <cite index="25-34,25-35,25-36,25-37">IEW teaches writing through Structure and Style method where students read a source text, pull out key words, and reconstruct ideas in their own sentences; this key word outline exercise is the backbone of the whole program.</cite>

Institute for Excellence in Writing: Structured Video-Based Writing Program

Institute for Excellence in Writing is a comprehensive writing curriculum that uses video instruction by Andrew Pudewa to teach structured writing approaches. The program emphasizes incremental skill-building through explicit modeling of organizational techniques and stylistic elements, designed primarily for reluctant writers who benefit from clear frameworks.

Best for

Homeschool families with reluctant or struggling writers in grades 3-10 who need structured, step-by-step writing instruction and benefit from video-based learning with humor

Evaluation Criteria

6 strengths · 1 neutral

EngagementStrength

Students find the program engaging primarily due to the instructor's humor and the structured approach that reduces writing anxiety.

Multiple reviews highlight Andrew Pudewa's humor as a standout feature, with one reviewer noting a 13-year-old says writing is his favorite subject and a 10-year-old looks forward to IEW class all week

Content AccuracyStrength

The curriculum teaches sound writing principles through proven structural models and stylistic techniques.

The program teaches note-taking skills, paragraphs, stories, essays, reports, critiques, and creative writing using established organizational skills and stylistic techniques, with reviewers noting the quality-driven curriculum

Age AppropriatenessStrength

Content is appropriately structured across grade levels with clear developmental progressions from basic to sophisticated writing.

The Student Writing Intensive comes in three levels (A for grades 3-5, B for grades 6-8, C for grades 9-10) and teaches information incrementally to help students move from basics into more independent, sophisticated writing

Instructional ClarityStrength

The curriculum provides exceptionally clear, structured instruction with explicit step-by-step teaching and built-in review for mastery.

Reviews consistently praise the incremental, mastery approach that introduces one thing at a time very clearly, with Andrew Pudewa delivering excellent instruction that communicates well to students of all ages

Real World ApplicationStrength

The program explicitly connects to practical writing needs including college entrance essays and real-world communication skills.

IEW courses include specific guidance on college entrance essays for SAT and ACT, teaching both short and long essays and timed essays, with the goal of helping kids become effective communicators

Teacher Parent SupportStrength

Excellent teacher support through comprehensive video instruction, extensive resources, and strong community support systems.

IEW offers lots of free resources including webinars, user forums, phone support, and an email group manned by IEW representatives, plus the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style DVD seminar teaches parents how to implement the methods

Assessment FeedbackNeutral

The curriculum includes built-in review and checklists but relies on parents to serve as editors and graders.

Student materials contain checklists and assignments, and parents serve as the student's editor and grader, though the program includes mastery-based learning with built-in review

Review Sources

Key Facts
GradesGrade 5
SubjectOther
PedagogyTraditional
Faith-BasedChristian
FormatDigital + Physical
Pricing<cite index="14-2,14-3,14-4,14-28,14-30">Student Writing Intensive (video courses): $100 to $200 depending on level (A, B, or C), includes student materials and video access. Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (parent training): $170 to $200. Theme-Based Writing Lessons: $30 to $70 per unit. Fix It! Grammar: $15 to $25 per book.</cite>

Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: homeschoolcom