Elegant Essay Teacher's Manual

Based on specific topics or on events in history, IEW’s theme-based writing lessons (same grade-range levels as the SSS) offer comprehensive, almost scripted instruction. All necessary source texts have been developed for busy parents and teachers like you. An IEW veteran and aficionado myself, I couldn't conceive of anything more complete than what is provided here. All necessary source texts are provided and are reproducible for one parent/one homeschool. Some courses (particularly the Hillsdale College K12-connected courses) provide suggested reading lists. Clear assignments (sometimes differentiated between levels) along with a checklist aid both the student in preparation and the parent in grading. These are also designed to be used by the student to work on throughout the week. Based on specific topics or events in various segments of history, the lessons include grammar exercises, vocabulary development, quizzes, and games for review and reinforcement – along with the writing instruction, of course.

In all lessons, students are encouraged to polish their final draft, perhaps even adding illustrations. At the end of each course the student will have a personal portfolio collection of poems, stories, reports, essays and research papers. Lessons are taught at the beginning of each week allowing the rest of the week for students to complete the assignment which they should be able to do on their own. Teacher preparation is minimal. (Do I hear an emphatic "Yes!"?)

The courses are targeting a progressively more competent student with the assumption that students are working through the courses according to suggested grade levels. Therefore, there is an increasing complexity to the instructions, expectations, and assignments. Accordingly, teachers are encouraged to be flexible with plans. The beginning writer may need to spend more than the suggested week on difficult lessons or omit some of the grammar. Mature students may move more quickly to allow time for additional research writing and/or more creative essay writing.

Many of these courses can be used equally well within a homeschool with several different aged students and all can be used in a co-op/support school setting with more grade-specific groupings of students. It's assumed that parents/teachers have completed or have access to Teaching Writing Structure & Style (TWSS), IEW's seminar for parents and teachers.

Except for Bible Heroes, courses include both a Teacher and a Student Book. Both books are necessary as the course is designed to be interactive between the teacher and student. Teachers should plan to read over the lessons with the students and help as necessary, especially with specific tasks such as outlining and brainstorming. ~ Janice/Ruth

Prepare your student for college-level writing assignments with this 12-week course. If you’re familiar with IEW’s process, Andrew Pudewa’s instruction, and program components (student consumable and binder, teacher book, portable walls, key-word outline and video teaching), this course will be a fabulous next step in preparing for academic writing. If you’ve never used an IEW program: no worries! You can easily step in and benefit from this course—no pre-reqs! Students can stay fairly self-directed using their Student book and Binder: assignments are delineated; check-the-box steps are organized by days. Teacher books provide brief video summaries, the student book in small-format, additional teaching information, answers (when applicable), and more. The purchase of the Teacher’s Manual allows an e-audio download of Hacking High School (download instructions included in each text). Students will learn and practice varied writing types: taking notes from written and verbal sources; précis (similar to an abstract), writing prompts, a personal essay, position paper, reflection essay, and mimic a famous author’s writing style (while learning more about their own style). In addition, students will learn some very college-specific writing skills: note-taking practice, timed essays, MLA and APA documentation styles, bibliographies, and avoiding plagiarism. For the required video instruction, choose between either the forever streaming or DVD options. ©2024 ~ Ruth

Suppose your junior or senior high student has been through Level B or C of the Student Writing Intensive (SWI) seminar and has a good understanding of how to write a paragraph using topic and clincher sentences. He may even have a little bit of experience with essay writing but you feel he needs more instruction and practice with essays. This course is for you! Focusing specifically on the structure and content of essay writing, it's an extension and refinement of IEW's Unit VIII (the formal essay). Utilizing a four-step teaching strategy which includes preliminary instruction, modeling, practice with help, and "on your own" work, this ten-week course by Lesha Myers takes the student step-by-step through the essay-writing process. Teaching units include thesis statements, essay organization, transitions, introductions, and conclusions and end with descriptive and persuasive essay practice. Revised for 2011, the Teacher's Manual is now separate from the Student Book and includes additional teacher material specifically useful for co-op classes - class schedules and more information on teaching methods. Student Books contain the student pages from the previous edition with additional pages for taking class notes. The two books are designed to be interactive, and both are required to complete the course successfully.