IEW® Theme-Based Writing Lessons:
Writing Smartly Using the IEW® Method
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COURSE DETAILS
These 90-minute, 30-week courses, cover Units 1-9 of the IEW® writing method using IEW’s theme-based writing lessons utilizing a multi-sensory, systematic, accumulative, and structured approach. (Note: Bible Heroes is a 50-minute, 28-week course covering Units 1-5 and 7). WordWall games and activities will be assigned to help cement concepts taught in a fun and engaging way.
First semester will cover Units 1-5 (Bible Heroes Units 1-3) and second semester will cover Units 6-9 (Bible Heroes Units 4, 5, and 7). We will use Google Classroom for all course communications, assignment submissions, and to access class Zoom links. Attending this course on a computer is required as it is the best way to take advantage of all the options available in Zoom to make our class time the most fun and interactive. Parents are highly encouraged to observe during classroom instruction in order to give as much assistance necessary to ensure your student can be successful.
- Class size: 3 to 10 (Class will be cancelled if fewer than 3 students register)
- Age: 9 – 15 (age is flexible, if you have questions, please contact me)
Scope and Sequence for Online Theme-Based Writing Courses Offered
Bible Heroes (click + to view)
This course is designed for K-2, but it is being offered to older students with learning differences in order to give them a successful and encouraging start to their writing careers.
*** This course is taught from a distinct Biblical/Christian worldview. ***
Lesson Number: Source Text / Structure or Style Introduced
First Semester:
Class Wk 1
Lesson 1: God is Good / Enoch Walked with God
Class Wk 2
Lesson 2: Righteous Noah / God’s Promises
Class Wk 3
Lesson 2B: Righteous Noah, Part 2
Class Wk 4
Lesson 3: Abraham Had Faith
Class Wk 5
Lesson 4: Joseph Forgave, Part 1
Class Wk 6
Lesson 5: Joseph Forgave, Part 2
Class Wk 7
Lesson 6: Meek Moses, Part 1
Class Wk 8
Lesson 7: Meek Moses, Part 2
Class Wk 9
Lesson 8: Joshua Obeyed
Class Wk 10
Lesson 9: David Was Brave, Part 1
Class Wk 11
Lesson 10: David Was Brave, Part 2
Class Wk 12
Lesson 11: David Was Brave, Part 3
Class Wk 13
Lesson 12: Wise King Solomon, Part 1
Class Wk 14
Lesson 13: Wise King Solomon, Part 2
Second Semester
Class Wk 15
Lesson 14: Wise King Solomon, Part 3
Class Wk 16
Lesson 15: Elijah Was Bold, Part 1
Class Wk 17
Lesson 16: Elijah Was Bold, Part 2
Class Wk 18
Lesson 17: Elijah Was Bold, Part 3
Class Wk 19
Lesson 18: Daniel Prayed to God, Part 1
Class Wk 20
Lesson 19: Daniel Prayed to God, Part 2
Class Wk 21
Lesson 20: Daniel Prayed to God, Part 3
Class Wk 22
Lesson 21: John Was Humble
Class Wk 23
Lesson 22: Mary Was Blessed
Class Wk 24
Lesson 23: Jesus Loves Us
Class Wk 25
Lesson 24: The Determined Shepherd
Class Wk 26
Lesson 25: The Son Who Was Sorry
Class Wk 27
Lesson 26: The True Neighbor
Class Wk 28
Lesson 27: Paul Was Thankful
Wonders of Science (click + to view)
This course is designed for 3-5, but it is being offered to older students with learning differences in order to give them a successful and encouraging start to their writing careers.
Lesson Number: Source Text / Structure or Style Introduced
First Semester
Class Wk 1
Lesson 1: Dead Ants / Introduction to Structure and Style
First Semester | |
Class Wk 1 | Lesson 1: Dead Ants / Introduction to Structure and Style |
Class Wk 2 | Lesson 2: Honey Bees / -ly adverb advanced: dual -ly adverbs |
Class Wk 3 | Lesson 3: Bombardier Beetles / Review |
Class Wk 4 | Lesson 4: Monarch Migration / title / who/which clause |
Class Wk 5 | Lesson 5: Daedulus and Icarus / Review |
Class Wk 6 | Lesson 6: Archimedes / strong verb advanced: dual strong verbs / banned words: think/thought, go/went |
Class Wk 7 | Lesson 7: Jack and the Beanstalk / because clause |
Class Wk 8 | Lesson 8: Rumpelstiltskin / banned words: say/said |
Class Wk 9 | Lesson 9: Steam Engines / topic-clincher sentences |
Class Wk 10 | Lesson 10: Model T Ford / quality adjective advanced: dual quality adjectives / banned words: good, bad, big, small |
Class Wk 11 | Lesson 11: Flight / www . asia . wub clause |
Class Wk 12 | Lesson 12: Spacesuits / [2] prepositional opener |
Class Wk 13 | Lesson 13: Meteorite / Review |
Class Wk 14 | Lesson 14: Message in a Bottle / [3] -ly adverb opener |
Class Wk 15 | Lesson 15: Science Lab / Review |
Second Semester | |
Class Wk 16 | Lesson 16: Nikola Tesla / source and fused outlines |
Class Wk 17 | Lesson 17: Albert Einstein, Part 1 / [6] vss opener |
Class Wk 18 | Lesson 18: Albert Einstein, Part 2 / works consulted |
Class Wk 19 | Lesson 20: Favorite Invention, Part 1 / body paragraphs / [5] clausal opener / www . asia . wub |
Class Wk 20 | Lesson 21: Favorite Invention, Part 2 / introduction and conclusion |
Class Wk 21 | Lesson 22: Exploring a Place Outdoors, Part 1 / Review |
Class Wk 22 | Lesson 23: Exploring a Place Outdoors, Part 2 / Review |
Class Wk 23 | Lesson 24: Albert Einstein, Part 3 / [1] subject opener, [4] -ing opener |
Class Wk 24 | Lesson 25: A Prominent Person, Part 1 |
Class Wk 25 | Lesson 26: A Prominent Person, Part 2 |
Class Wk 26 | Lesson 27: George Washington Carver, Part 1 |
Class Wk 27 | Lesson 28: George Washington Carver, Part 2 |
Class Wk 28 | Lesson 29: Nathaniel Bowditch, Part 1 / character analysis |
Class Wk 29 | Lesson 30: Nathaniel Bowditch, Part 2 |
Class Wk 30 | Wrap up Nathaniel Bowditch, Part 2. Share favorite paper written. Final Review and exit ticket. |
Modern World History (click + to view)
First Semester | |
Class Wk 1 | Lesson 1: Printing Press / Introduction to Structure |
Class Wk 2 | Lesson 2: Age of Exploration / -ly Adverb |
Class Wk 3 | Lesson 3: Ivan the Terrible |
Class Wk 4 | Lesson 4: The Seven Years’ War / Title Rule and Who/Which Clause |
Class Wk 5 | Lesson 5: Bian He’s Jade (Chinese) |
Class Wk 6 | Lesson 6: The Ant and the Dove (Greek) / Strong Verb and Banned Words |
Class Wk 7 | Lesson 7: The Sun and the Moon (African) / Because Clause |
Class Wk 8 | Lesson 8: The Fisherman and the Fish (Russian) |
Class Wk 9 | Lesson 9: American Revolution / Topic-Clincher Sentences |
Class Wk 10 | Lesson 10: French Revolution / Quality Adjectives and Banned Words |
Class Wk 11 | Lesson 11: Revolution in Latin America / www.asia.wub |
Class Wk 12 | Lesson 12: Boers War / #2 Prepositional Opener and Banned Words |
Class Wk 13 | Lesson 13: Telegraph Invention |
Class Wk 14 | Lesson 14: Discovering Dynamite / #3 -ly Adverb Opener |
Class Wk 15 | Lesson 15: Power Loom Invention |
Second Semester | |
Class Wk 16 | Lesson 16: Australia / Source and Fused Outlines |
Class Wk 17 | Lesson 17: Communism Around the World, Part 1 /#6 VSS Opener |
Class Wk 18 | Lesson 18: Communism Around the World, Part 2 / Works Consulted |
Class Wk 19 | Lesson 20: Wilson Quote, Part 1 / Body Paragraphs |
Class Wk 20 | Lesson 21: Wilson Quote, Part 2 / Introduction and Conclusion; #5 Clausal Opener; www.asia.wub |
Class Wk 21 | Lesson 22: Churchill Quote, Part 1 |
Class Wk 22 | Lesson 23: Churchill Quote, Part 2 |
Class Wk 23 | Lesson 24: Gandhi Quote / #1 Subject Opener and #4 -ing Opener |
Class Wk 24 | Lesson 25: Communism Around the World, Part 3 |
Class Wk 25 | Lesson 26: A Prominent Person, Part 1 |
Class Wk 26 | Lesson 27: A Prominent Person, Part 2 |
Class Wk 27 | Lesson 28: Sherlock Holmes (England), Part 1 |
Class Wk 28 | Lesson 29: Sherlock Holmes (England), Part 2 |
Class Wk 29 | Lesson 30: The Pied Piper (Germany) / Character Analysis |
Class Wk 30 | Wrap up The Pied Piper. Share favorite paper written. Final Review and exit ticket. |
Prerequisite
For second semester, students must have completed Lessons 1-15 in the theme-based writing course they are registering to attend. If your student hasn’t completed Lessons 1-15 with me, please contact me before enrolling your student for the second semester course. After verification I will accept students who have completed Lesson 1-15 on their own or in another setting.
Class Description
Since the IEW® writing method works towards mastery, this class is ideal for new students and seasoned IEW® students. Repetition of the concepts taught is what helps writing become automatic. Classes will be taught using the I Do, We Do, You Do teaching style. Using a multi-sensory, systematic, accumulative, and structured approach makes this course ideal for students who have dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other learning differences. Graphic organizers and other helpful tips and tricks will assist students in mastery of the IEW® method. We will learn songs, play games, encourage one another, give helpful suggestions, and work together as a group to create key word outlines, well-constructed sentences, and paragraphs.
Goals
- Learn how to write keyword outlines from multiple types of sources
- Learn how to compose sentences and paragraphs from their keyword outline to retell stories in their own words
- Learn how to expand their sentence construction skills by using stylistic techniques and different sentence openers
- Increase vocabulary by using new words in context
- Strengthen vocabulary and background knowledge through rich text
- Most importantly, gain confidence in their writing skills and ability to communicate clearly and competently
Homework
While homework is assigned and highly recommended, it will be up to the parent to check all work produced by their student. All students’ composed work will be read and evaluated as either complete or incomplete. Complete means all required checklist items for the writing assignment are present, incomplete means that the submitted paper is missing something from the checklist. Parents may choose to assign a grade to their student’s completed assignments using the point system found on each assignment’s checklist. There will be weekly homework including vocabulary, composing one to three paragraphs from a keyword outline, editing, and producing a final draft using a simplified MLA format, which will be taught in class. For IEW’s philosophy on grading, you can read more here.
Required Materials
- Bible Heroes Writing Lessons Student Workbook by Lori Verstegen OR
- Wonders of Science Writing Lessons Student Workbook OR
- Modern World History-Based Writing Lessons Student Workbook by Lori Verstegen
- 2″ 3-prong Binder
- Page Protectors
- 2 packages of Post-It Notes 2×2 Full Sticky
- A Binder Pencil Pouch
- Pens, Pencils, Highlighters
- Loose Leaf Lined Paper
- Printed Graphic Organizer (provided in Google Classroom after you register)
Price / Refund Policy / Discount
$20 per week / $300 per semester (Bible Heroes $12 per week / $168 per semester)
A full refund will be issued for any reason up until to seven days before class starts after which time no refund will be granted. Example: Class starts Wednesday, April 27th. Refunds will be granted until Tuesday, April 19th at 11:59 pm Central. ACH bank payment is greatly appreciated!
A 5% discount is given for families who register more than one sibling from the same household. Use discount code: Siblings5 NOTE: If this discount code is used when registering only one student, the registration will be cancelled.

“Wendy is a very patient and kind teacher. I love the enthusiasm she brings to every class.” -O. Reyes
“I wanted to thank you for all your organizational ideas and writing techniques. P. has a Nonverbal Learning Disorder and it has been exciting to watch his writing improve over the semester!” -N. Bray