LIVE CLASS – 2025-26
Medieval History-Based Writing
30 weeks via Zoom
Grades 4-8, Ages 8-12
Using Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing Program students explore and research Medieval History as they learn writing skills!
From the IEW description: This theme-based writing curriculum allows students to delve into the excitement of medieval history. From the Anglo-Saxons to the Renaissance, from chivalrous knights to Genghis Khan, students will improve their knowledge of medieval times 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.
Textbook is sold separately at iew.com and must be purchased there to participate in this class. Vocabulary cards, literature suggestions, and access to helpful PDF downloads are included in the student textbook.
COURSE DETAILS:
>>Tuesdays, 2:30 PM EST (tentative time)
>>$600 / year – 30 weeks (15 weeks each semester)
COURSE DATES:
FALL: SEPT 2-DEC 16
(no class week of Thanksgiving)
SPRING: JAN 6 – APRIL 28
(no class President’s Week & 2nd week of April)
REGISTRATION INTEREST – please fill out form.
NOTE: 4 students are required to form a class; please email or fill out the form so I can determine whether I can run a class.
PRIVATE TUTORING
$50/hour
I offer private tutoring sessions for IEW help or course instruction.
Please email me to discuss your needs. I can do single sessions to give feedback and support, or we can arrange for weekly support.
Full year private instruction is also available. Here are the courses I have experience with, but I am open to all IEW writing courses:
- Adventures in Writing
- Structure & Style 2A
- Ancient History-Based Writing
- Medieval History Based Writing
- U.S. History Based Writing
- Following Narnia Book 1
IEW PAPER GRADING
$125 full course
Take a deep breath – I’ve got you covered when it comes to assessing and scoring your student’s writing!
Using Google Drive or 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.
Student will also receive an editable spreadsheet tracker where I will enter all papers and scores, for quarterly grading records.
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.
Overall spelling and usage errors will be mentioned in notes, but will not be individually marked.
Students will submit work within 2 weeks from class session, and I will return grading within 72 hours. Grading window ends 3 weeks after last class session.
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 and RECORDED CLASS OPTIONS
In a LIVE class, students get real-time attention and interaction.
Recorded classes (uploaded within 24 hours after LIVE class) 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, 5 years of Essentials, 2 years of Challenge Level)
- 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
- 11 years homeschooling 2 boys
- 15 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!