LIVE CLASS – 2023-24
US History-Based Writing
24 via Zoom
Grades 4-8, Ages 8-12
Using Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing Program students explore and research U.S. History as they learn writing skills!
From the IEW description: This theme-based writing curriculum allows students to delve into the excitement of explorers, battles, land expansion, famous ships, and founding fathers while learning to write with the Structure and Style® writing method. Offering a full year of instruction for students in grades 6–8, these lessons cover all nine IEW Units. Vocabulary cards, literature suggestions, and access to helpful PDF downloads are also included.
COURSE DETAILS:
>>Thursdays, 11:30 AM EST (tentative time)
>>24 weeks (condensed course; 12 weeks each semester) – $600 / year
>>ADD-ON: Tutor grading option; 20 papers given scores via the IEW checklist and tutor feedback. $100/per course
FALL: SEPT 7-NOV 30 (No Class Nov 22)
SPRING: JAN 4-MAR 21
(bonus paper sharing class Mar 28 if desired)
REGISTRATION INTEREST – please fill out form. Registration will open soon!
NOTE: 4 students are required to form a class; please email or fill out the form so I can determine interest level
IEW PAPER GRADING
Full or Half Year Options
Take a deep breath – I’ve got you covered when it comes to assessing and scoring your student’s writing!
Using Google Classroom, you can submit your student’s work for me to review and score. I will use the IEW Checklist to score each paper, and encourage the student with “Glow and Grow” feedback.
These comments will highlight what your student is doing well, and give areas of focus or tips for future papers. If needed, I will direct parent & student to a helpful resource for review to improve future papers.
Spelling and usage errors will be highlighted for students to notice and correct, but will not be corrected by me.
Your student can submit work on their own timeframe (assignments will be pre-posted), and I will return grading within 48 hours. Students have up to 1 year from date of purchase to upload assignments.
PLUS: A free digital sticker book and digital stickers will be given to the student for their personal use.
$200 full course (includes grading of 20 papers)
$100 half course (includes 10 grading of 10 papers)
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
**COMING SOON**
VIDEO COURSES:
BUILDING BLOCKS OF WRITING
2 classes – self paced
Grades 4-8, Ages 8-12
Based on Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing Program (Units 1, 2, and 4), students use source materials so they never face the discouraging “blank page.” They will learn specific techniques for note-taking from sources, and outlining in preparation for writing.
These classes are perfect prep for a future class, or review for struggling writers. Pair these with a few of the Dressing Up sessions to round out their writing with style!
I recommend students take Easy Outlining and Note-taking first if they are unfamiliar with the IEW method.
LESSONS INCLUDE:
Easy Outlining and Note-taking
Boiling it Down – Summarizing a Reference
$20 Full Course, PDF Materials provided
REGISTRATION COMING SOON
DRESSING UP WRITING
4 classes – Self-Paced
Grades 4-8, Ages 8-12
Using Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing method, students learn specific techniques for “dressing up” their writing with four key STYLE techniques.
I recommend students take the “Building Blocks” sessions first, unless they have strong Keyword Outline skills already.
LESSONS INCLUDE:
Add Pizzazz with Adverbs (-LY Adverbs)
Give your Subjects a Boost (Who/Which Clauses)
Verbs that Powerlift (Strong Verbs)
Add Context to Verbs (WWW.ASIA clauses)
$40 Full Course, PDF materials provided
REGISTRATION COMING SOON
Children who are free to play with words
will fall in love with words.
-Andrew Pudewa, Institute for Excellence in Writing
Why enroll your child in an online writing class?
MIXED AGE CLASSROOM
Mixed-ages class of students ages 8-12, allows siblings to learn together and older students to peer model their writing for the younger.
SMALL CLASS SIZE
No more than 10 students per class ensures all students have time to share their work and participate.
LIVE or RECORDED CLASS OPTIONS
In a LIVE class, students get real-time attention and interaction.
Recorded classes (offered after the class date passes) allow students to watch again, or sign up for previous classes.
What people are saying:
I have two boys working through IEW with Julie. My 6th grader naturally loves writing, and Julie has helped nurture his enthusiasm while showing him how to maintain a sense of coherence and organization in his writing. My 4th grader does not naturally love writing, but under Julie’s steady cheerfulness and encouragement, he has begun to find joy in the process. Julie presents the lessons clearly, so that during the week my boys feel equipped to create their own work. As a busy homeschool mom, I am so thankful to have her as a resource.
– Alisa Dannecker, homeschool mom
The #1 praise I can give for Julie is her beautiful and awe inspiring relationship with her Heavenly Father. Whether this resonates with you or not, you still benefit because it is the filter for all Julie is and does. The result is a standard of excellence that pours into everything she sets her heart on. With Julie you get the experience of a Mom, Homeschool Mom, Certified Teacher, Author, and Entrepreneur. She teaches adults and children alike with an ease worth learning how to bring into any homeschool setting. I’m a professional educator myself with over 20 years in the field, and learning shines anew for me each time I’m in her company. But most importantly, as a Mom and now an Ima (grandma), the seal of approval is knowing I would eagerly sign my child up to learn with Julie.
monica swift, educator / coach
KELLI TURNER, HOMESCHOOL MOM & HEALTH COACH
About the instructor:
Hello! I’m excited to help your child grow their writing skills! Here’s some fun facts about me and my teaching / writing background:
- IEW Registered Writing Tutor (since 2021)
- 9 years tutoring for Classical Conversations (6 years of Foundations and 4 years of Essentials)
- Connecticut-Certified Language Arts Teacher
- 5+ years classroom experience (7th and 8th grade)
- 2009 Teacher of the Year in Windsor Locks, CT
- English tutor for Tutor.com; Tutor of the Month Award winner
- 9 years homeschooling 2 boys
- 13 years writing a family/parenting blog (you’re here!)
- Author of one e-book, two devotional journals (print), and a collection of fairy tales (print)
- Private tutoring and small group writing class instructor. Which is why you’re here! 🙂
CLASS DETAILS
Students need:
- Proficient handwriting skills for note-taking OR a parent “scribe” attending with them to take down their words during class.
- Familiarity and ease with using the ZOOM platform. A link to the Zoom will be emailed upon paid registration, and a reminder link will be sent the day of class.
- A good internet connection so the class video is stable.
- A quiet place to attend class; creating space for learning is so important for participation and retention. Please avoid having pets, siblings, loud noises in the room during class. Headphones are recommended.
- Missed classes cannot be made up or refunded, however, a link to a recording (speaker video/audio only) will be sent to you within 24 hours after the class meets. (I typically only record classes if a student is absent).
Behavior Guidelines:
1. Zoom video must be on and child’s face visible.
2. Student’s name should be typed into the account, so I can address child by name.
3. Mics should be muted (usually I do this myself), unless it is discussion time.
4. Chat Box should only be used to submit answers, not for side discussion.
5. No crude language or profanity is allowed.
6. Although I have never had to do so, I reserve the right to remove a disruptive student.
I encourage parents to attend the class with their child – whether on screen or off to the side. However, these classes are meant to be fun and conversational, and students ages 8-12 can usually manage to participate well if viewing independently.
QUESTIONS?
Are you wondering which course is right for your kids?
Do you need a different course time? Different topic/skill focus?
Please email me juliekieras (at) comcast.net so we can determine the best fit for your child!