Writing Across the Curriculum from the Institute for
Excellence in Writing (IEW) is a collection of theme-based writing courses that
seamlessly integrate the Structure and Style method with subjects such as
history, science, and literature. These ready-to-use lessons deepen content
understanding while developing strong organizational and stylistic writing
skills.
Designed for busy parents and teachers, each course provides
comprehensive, nearly scripted instruction, all necessary source texts, clear
assignments, and composition checklists. Students progress through the nine
structural units of the Structure and Style method while producing a polished
portfolio of poems, stories, reports, essays, and research papers. Parents and
teachers should complete the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style®
seminar before using Writing Across the Curriculum.
Key Curriculum Features:
Theme-based
lessons that combine writing instruction with history, science, or
literature topics
Moves
students through the nine structural units of Structure and Style
Includes
grammar exercises, vocabulary development, quizzes, and review games
Clear
weekly assignments with checklists for both student prep and parent
grading
Differentiated
options for varying student ability levels
Encourages
students to polish final drafts and create a personal writing portfolio
Flexible
for single students, multi-age families, or co-op settings
Program Components:
Teacher’s
Manual: Detailed lesson plans, teaching notes, and guidance
Student
Book: Source texts, model charts, assignments, and checklists
Available
individually or as convenient Teacher/Student Combo Sets
Important Notes:
Instructors
should complete the Teaching Writing Structure and Style® seminar
before using these courses.
Unlike
most IEW programs, Writing Across the Curriculum is fully
book-based (no video instruction).
Three
levels (A, B, and C) are used rather than strict grade levels — choose any
theme that fits your student’s interests or curriculum focus.
Source
texts are reproducible for use within a single family.
Teacher
preparation is minimal; lessons are taught at the beginning of the week,
with students completing most of the work independently.
Writing Across the Curriculum stands out for its
thorough preparation, interdisciplinary approach, and ability to develop both
content knowledge and excellent writing skills. It is an excellent choice for
homeschool families seeking ready-made, high-quality writing lessons that fit seamlessly
into their existing studies.
Browse all Writing Across the Curriculum resources
and sets below!
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Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
