Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) Curriculum

Writing effectively requires laying sturdy groundwork. Students who lack experience or struggle with writing may find it helpful to review and re-build foundational skills and concepts. The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) curriculum helps students practice core skills in order to build toward confidence and competency in writing.

All courses are taught by Dawn Bertrand, licensed teacher and certified IEW instructor. Dawn has the experience and passion to reach students with the IEW methodology and lead them toward writing excellence!

This class is for upper elementary homeschool students who are just beginning their writing careers.  Using the Level A course from the Institute for Excellence in Writing, the instructor will guide students through the basic structure of the core types of writing and get students on a path of confidence and proficiency.  The course starts with the foundations of writing and builds gradually towards more independence, creativity, and sophistication. Through extensive modeling and guided practice, students learn to organize and express their ideas clearly and effectively, setting them on a course for lifelong competency.

In this course, students learn the following structural models:

- note taking

- paragraph writing

- story writing

- simple report writing

- writing from pictures

- research reports

- creative writing

In addition to the writing curriculum, students in this homeschool class will also complete IEW Fix-It Grammar, Book 1. Grammar instruction will be done in class, and then students will be expected to complete vocabulary and a short paragraph weekly for homework.

Class sizes are limited to six students, so register early.

Homeschool IEW-SSS 1A will meet Mondays 12:30-2:00 pm.

SSS 1B is a course for students in middle school just starting their writing careers. Students in upper elementary who have completed SWI-A OR SICC-A OR SSS 2A will also transition into SSS 1B.

In this course, students will learn to do the following:

-note taking, outlining, writing summaries

-use a variety of stylistic techniques including sophisticated vocabulary, complex sentence structure, and grammar

- retell narrative stories and write from pictures (creative writing)

- write research reports from multiple sources

- write formal essays

- write story and poetry critiques

- edit their work for grammar, syntax, and usage

In addition to the writing curriculum, students in this homeschool class will also complete IEW Fix-It Grammar, Book 1. Grammar instruction will be done in class, and then students will be expected to complete vocabulary and a short paragraph weekly for homework.

Class sizes are limited to six students, so register early.

IEW SSS 1B Homeschool Class will meet Mondays 2:00-3:30 pm 

 All students and visitors MUST adhere to COVID precautions:

- checking temperature upon arrival

- sanitizing hands upon arrival

- wearing a face covering for the duration of the class

- refraining from eating or drinking, aside from water in bottles brought from home

- using assigned work stations and materials (computers, art supplies, etc)

- remaining six feet apart from other attendees whenever possible 

There are no exceptions to these policies.