Site announcements

Office Hours 2023-2024

by Alta Wehmeyer -

Dear Students and Parents,

I hope you are all ding well and settling into the new academic year.

Office Hours are as follows for this year:

Monday: 6-7 p.m.

Tuesday 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday 12-1 p.m.

Thursday 10:30 - 11:30 p.m.

Friday 5:30 - 6:30

I encourage you to reach out to me at any time via the learning management system if you encounter any difficulty. I always strive to assist everyone as soon as I possible.

Message me if you need support with any of the assignments because sometimes a text message can go a long way. 

Kind regards,

Alta


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Available courses

Science Through The Ages

Explore the fascinating lives and groundbreaking work of the brilliant minds who have shaped our understanding of the universe. From the ancient philosophers who pondered the mysteries of the cosmos to the modern innovators revolutionizing technology and medicine, this class is a thrilling voyage through the annals of scientific achievement.

Join this class and uncover the secrets of their experiments, the controversies they faced, and the impact of their discoveries on society.

Photo Credit: Photo by BoliviaInteligente


Class Experience:

Students learn new vocabulary in every source text. Grammar form part of every class with weekly assignments to be completed by the student during the week. Texts are collated on a timeline that help students to make connections and understand that many principles existed for years before it was directly adopted or became useful.
Time Commitment:

Students are likely to spend between one and two hours on assignments in addition to the class time.
Level and Pace Guidance: Students meet a new topic every week.
Prescribed Materials:

2" Binder

Loose Leaf paper.

Pens

Grammar and Vocabulary sheets can be printed or be used electronically.

Parent Resources

Welcome here!

I always encourage parents to share their journeys because this is how we help each other and strengthen our families and our society. 

Originating from Africa, I know the value and support of the larger village as a respectful community that contributes to the success of raising individuals who are positioned to fulfill their calling and become valuable assets to society. 

Please share any parenting information, resources, or opportunities that you found valuable here. 

Thank you!

PS. Information in this forum is to create awareness only and is not a substitute for medical or professional services.

 

Office Hours

Welcome here! This is where you are able to connect with me outside class time.

If I am busy with anyone, you will be placed into a waiting room until I am available to see you. I generally let you know with a message that I am aware that you are there.  I will get to you even if it is after the end of the time slot.

You can always message me to meet with you at any other time that will be mutually convenient.

I am here to help and will always gladly do so!

Be a lifelong learner and always strive to do your best!

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level A Year 1 Wednesday

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level A Year 1 is the entry level to the core writing curriculum published by the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). Elementary students that are in Gr. 4 and Gr. 5 are well positioned to make a success in this class. Students in lower grades who are ahead of their peers, are welcome too.

Class Experience:

Classes generally follow the same format every week. It starts with a short journal entry, followed by poetry memorization or appreciation. The next activity is a root word vocabulary exploration, followed by grammar studies.

During the writing portion of the lesson, a source text/s serve as the starting point. The text is read aloud, and all unfamiliar vocabularies are explained. A keywords outline is constructed from where they retell their story before writing a rough draft. What is not completed during the lesson becomes the homework assignment. 

The learning goals in this methodology are introduced and practiced at the rate of approximately one new concept at a time. When mastery of the goal is achieved, the next concept is introduced, and the practice steps are repeated.
Time Commitment:

Writing assignments are started in class time. Students can budget around 1 - 1.5 hours outside class time to complete all the assigned activities.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students work through one vocabulary textbook per year for this class level. Every lesson and its activities are spread over two weeks.

FixIt Grammar is completed at the pace of four days per week. Each day vary in sentence length and complexity.

In some instances, larger writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery of skillsets while producing quality assignments.
Prescribed Materials:

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book 4  

FixIt! Grammar: Nose Tree 

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level A Year 1  

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheap product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

All Things Fun and Fascinating

Students learn to write while investigating many interesting facts about amazing animals and their homes. Prominent people who made a difference in our word are also studied. Halfway through the course, students learn how to write different kinds of poems.

Classes include grammar, poetry and root word study.

Class Experience:

Classes start with an interesting discussion that leads to the texts designated for the day. Students start their assignments in class and complete it on their own.

This class includes an introduction to grammar and poetry memorization.
Time Commitment:

Students need to spend approximately 60 to 80 minutes in total per week outside the class.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Writers who are beginners and can already write sentences thrive here. This is an easy introduction into paragraph writing.
Prescribed Materials:

IEW All Things Fun and Fascinating

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheap product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level A Year 2 Tuesday

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level A Year 2 is the continuation level of the core writing curriculum from the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  This is suitable for elementary students who are destined for middle school in the next academic year.

Class Experience:

Classes generally follow the same format every week. It starts with a short journal entry followed by poetry memorization or appreciation. The next activity is a root word vocabulary exploration, followed by grammar studies.

During the writing portion of the lesson, a source text/s serve as the starting point. The text is read aloud, and all unfamiliar vocabularies are explained. A keywords outline is constructed from where they retell their story before writing a rough draft. What is not completed during the lesson becomes the homework assignment. 

The learning goals in this methodology are introduced and practiced at the rate of approximately one new concept at a time. When mastery of the goal is achieved, the next concept is introduced, and the practice steps are repeated. 
Time Commitment:

Writing assignments are started in class time. Students can budget around 1.5 - 2 hours outside class time to complete all the assigned activities.

 Earlier in the year assignments are shorter and the focus is to build stamina to easily cope with the second semester assignments.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students work through one vocabulary textbook per year for this class level. Every lesson and its activities are spread over two weeks.

FixIt Grammar is completed at the pace of four days per week. Each day vary in sentence length and complexity.


In some instances, larger writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery of skillsets while producing quality assignments.

 
Prescribed Materials:

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book 5  

FixIt! Grammar: Town Mouse and Country Mouse 

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level A Year 2  

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level A Year 2 Friday

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level A Year 2 is the continuation level of the core writing curriculum from the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  This is suitable for elementary students who are destined for middle school in the next academic year.

Class Experience:

Classes generally follow the same format every week. It starts with a short journal entry followed by poetry memorization or appreciation. The next activity is a root word vocabulary exploration, followed by grammar studies.

During the writing portion of the lesson, a source text/s serve as the starting point. The text is read aloud, and all unfamiliar vocabularies are explained. A keywords outline is constructed from where they retell their story before writing a rough draft. What is not completed during the lesson becomes the homework assignment. 

The learning goals in this methodology are introduced and practiced at the rate of approximately one new concept at a time. When mastery of the goal is achieved, the next concept is introduced, and the practice steps are repeated. 
Time Commitment:

Writing assignments are started in class time. Students can budget around 1.5 - 2 hours outside class time to complete all the assigned activities.

 Earlier in the year assignments are shorter and the focus is to build stamina to easily cope with the second semester assignments.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students work through one vocabulary textbook per year for this class level. Every lesson and its activities are spread over two weeks.

FixIt Grammar is completed at the pace of four days per week. Each day vary in sentence length and complexity.


In some instances, larger writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery of skillsets while producing quality assignments.

 
Prescribed Materials:

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book 5  

FixIt! Grammar: Town Mouse and Country Mouse 

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level A Year 2  

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

Working Animals

From service dogs to carrier pigeons and African Pouch Rats that pinpoint explosives, this course enables students to learn to write well. This class includes Latin and Greek root word study, grammar, and poetry appreciation.

 

Class Experience:

Students learn how animals benefit us in multiple ways. Care for these helpers and what regulations exist to safeguard them are important and discussed.
Time Commitment:

Time to complete the assignments vary from one to two hours towards the end of the course. Some assignments are collated into larger projects.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Grade four to five students will thrive here.
Prescribed Materials:

National Geographic Kids Animal Stories: Heartwarming True Tales from the Animal Kingdom by Jane Yolen

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it is a binder only and does not include the packet.

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 1 Thursday 11:30

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 1 is the first year or second year of middle school-level core curriculum from the Institute for Excellence in Writing. This course is suitable for middle school students that will remain in  middle school student during the following academic year.  

 

Class Experience:

Classes generally follow the same format every week. It starts with a short journal entry followed by poetry memorization or appreciation. The next activity is a root word vocabulary exploration, followed by grammar studies.

During the writing portion of the lesson, a source text/s serve as the starting point. The text is read aloud, and all unfamiliar vocabularies are explained. A keywords outline is constructed from where they retell their story before writing a rough draft. What is not completed during the lesson becomes the homework assignment. 

The learning goals in this methodology are introduced and practiced at the rate of approximately one new concept at a time. When mastery of the goal is achieved, the next concept is introduced, and the practice steps are repeated.
Time Commitment:

Writing assignments are started in class time. Students can budget around 1.5 - 2  hours outside class time to complete all the assigned activities.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students work through one vocabulary textbook per year for this class level. Every lesson and its activities are spread over two weeks.
FixIt Grammar is completed at the pace of four days per week. Each day vary in sentence length and complexity.
In some instances, larger writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery of skillsets while producing quality assignments.


In some instances, longer writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery and producing quality assignments.
Prescribed Materials:

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book 6  

FixIt! Grammar: Robin Hood 

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 1  

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 1 Thursday

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 1 is the first year or second year of middle school-level core curriculum from the Institute for Excellence in Writing. This course is suitable for middle school students that will remain in  middle school student during the following academic year.  

 

Class Experience:

Classes generally follow the same format every week. It starts with a short journal entry followed by poetry memorization or appreciation. The next activity is a root word vocabulary exploration, followed by grammar studies.

During the writing portion of the lesson, a source text/s serve as the starting point. The text is read aloud, and all unfamiliar vocabularies are explained. A keywords outline is constructed from where they retell their story before writing a rough draft. What is not completed during the lesson becomes the homework assignment. 

The learning goals in this methodology are introduced and practiced at the rate of approximately one new concept at a time. When mastery of the goal is achieved, the next concept is introduced, and the practice steps are repeated.
Time Commitment:

Writing assignments are started in class time. Students can budget around 1.5 - 2  hours outside class time to complete all the assigned activities.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students work through one vocabulary textbook per year for this class level. Every lesson and its activities are spread over two weeks.
FixIt Grammar is completed at the pace of four days per week. Each day vary in sentence length and complexity.
In some instances, larger writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery of skillsets while producing quality assignments.


In some instances, longer writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery and producing quality assignments.
Prescribed Materials:

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book 6  

FixIt! Grammar: Robin Hood 

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 1  

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 2 Wednesday

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 2 is the continuation level of the core writing program published by the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  This is suitable for middle school students that are destined for high school in the following year.  Older students who still need to build more confidence before moving up to the C-Level are welcome here.

Class Experience:

Classes generally follow the same format every week. It starts with a short journal entry followed by poetry memorization or appreciation. The next activity is a root word vocabulary exploration, followed by grammar studies.

During the writing portion of the lesson, a source text/s serve as the starting point. The text is read aloud, and all unfamiliar vocabularies are explained. A keywords outline is constructed from where they retell their story before writing a rough draft. What is not completed during the lesson becomes the homework assignment. 

The learning goals in this methodology are introduced and practiced at the rate of approximately one new concept at a time. When mastery of the goal is achieved, the next concept is introduced, and the practice steps are repeated.
Time Commitment:

Writing assignments are started in class time. Students can budget around 2 - 3 hours outside class time to complete all the assigned activities.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students work through one vocabulary textbook per year for this class level. Every lesson and its activities are spread over two weeks.


FixIt Grammar is completed at the pace of four days per week. Each day vary in sentence length and complexity.


During some weeks, larger writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery of skillsets while producing quality assignments.

 
Prescribed Materials:

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book A  

FixIt! Grammar: Mowgli and Shere Khan

IEW Structure and Style Level B Year 2  

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 2 Thursday

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 2 is the continuation level of the core writing program published by the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  This is suitable for middle school students that are destined for high school in the following year.  Older students who still need to build more confidence before moving up to the C-Level are welcome here.

Class Experience:

Classes generally follow the same format every week. It starts with a short journal entry followed by poetry memorization or appreciation. The next activity is a root word vocabulary exploration, followed by grammar studies.

During the writing portion of the lesson, a source text/s serve as the starting point. The text is read aloud, and all unfamiliar vocabularies are explained. A keywords outline is constructed from where they retell their story before writing a rough draft. What is not completed during the lesson becomes the homework assignment. 

The learning goals in this methodology are introduced and practiced at the rate of approximately one new concept at a time. When mastery of the goal is achieved, the next concept is introduced, and the practice steps are repeated.
Time Commitment:

Writing assignments are started in class time. Students can budget around 2 - 3 hours outside class time to complete all the assigned activities.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students work through one vocabulary textbook per year for this class level. Every lesson and its activities are spread over two weeks.


FixIt Grammar is completed at the pace of four days per week. Each day vary in sentence length and complexity.


During some weeks, larger writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery of skillsets while producing quality assignments.

 
Prescribed Materials:

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book A  

FixIt! Grammar: Mowgli and Shere Khan

IEW Structure and Style Level B Year 2  

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

Powerful Paragraphs Middle School Thursday

When students learn to write well-constructed paragraphs during middle school, they are well-positioned to leapfrog and reap immediate benefits to make the best of their high school years.

Class Experience:

Students explore different styles of paragraphs that are used for specific purposes. Intent of communication and who the target audience may be form part of the curriculum and both are cardinal to the effectiveness of the discourse. Learning how to write thirty different types of paragraphs opens a floodgate of possibilities for writing tasks. Students who completed this writing and moved into notable tertiary institutions reported that they attributed their tertiary writing successes to possessing these critical thinking and planning skills.
Time Commitment:

Budget for 1 - 1.5 hours of additional time for completing the assignment per week. 
Level and Pace Guidance:

This class benefits all writers in late middle school or early high school who wants to expand their skills. One paragraph type is studied per week. There are a few paragraph types that require different methods or organization, and students will complete up to three paragraphs on those selected occasions.
Prescribed Materials:

Compulsory texts:

A Writer's Guide to Powerful Paragraphs by Victor Pellegrino

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it is a binder only and does not include the packet.

Highly Recommended Optional Texts:

A Writer's Guide to Transitional Words and Expressions by Victor Pellegrino

A Writer's Guide to Transitions by Victor Pellegrino

Powerful Paragraphs Middle School Saturday

When students learn to write well-constructed paragraphs during middle school, they are well-positioned to leapfrog and reap immediate benefits to make the best of their high school years.

Class Experience:

Students explore different styles of paragraphs that are used for specific purposes. Intent of communication and who the target audience may be form part of the curriculum and both are cardinal to the effectiveness of the discourse. Learning how to write thirty different types of paragraphs opens a floodgate of possibilities for writing tasks. Students who completed this writing and moved into notable tertiary institutions reported that they attributed their tertiary writing successes to possessing these critical thinking and planning skills.
Time Commitment:

Budget for 1 - 1.5 hours of additional time for completing the assignment per week. 
Level and Pace Guidance:

This class benefits all writers in late middle school or early high school who wants to expand their skills. One paragraph type is studied per week. There are a few paragraph types that require different methods or organization, and students will complete up to three paragraphs on those selected occasions.
Prescribed Materials:

Compulsory texts:

A Writer's Guide to Powerful Paragraphs by Victor Pellegrino

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it is a binder only and does not include the packet.

Highly Recommended Optional Texts:

A Writer's Guide to Transitional Words and Expressions by Victor Pellegrino

A Writer's Guide to Transitions by Victor Pellegrino

Alaska and the Arctic

Student learn to write for different subjects. Alaska, its people, and its traditions is a rich canvas to springboard straight into history and how Alaska became a US territory. The original people that live here present a look at sustainable practices and respect for the Earth. Fauna and flora are well-adapted for thriving in extreme cold and are investigated. Weekly activities include reading, writing, mapping, labeling dog anatomy, and a critical problem solving. Interesting topics such as the Arctic Olympics, dog sledding, auroras, glaciers, volcanoes, and earthquakes open doors to new adventures. When living in polar lattitudes, logistics, planning, and distances for transporting anything is a major undertaking. How to gain skills to survive also form part of the course content.

 

Class Experience:

Weekly activities include mapping, critical thinking, mammal/dog anatomy, musher research, and reading keep momentum and variety. Classes focus on a single writing topic that is started during class. The deliverable can be any of the following: a report, narrative essay, podcast, and visual or graphic storytelling. This class includes Latin and Greek root word study, grammar, and poetry appreciation.
Time Commitment:

Students must budget 2 - 3 hours in addition to the class time for completion of the assignments. Some lessons require independent research. Guidance for sources and strategies are provided.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students from grades 7 -9 are welcome here. Several assignments are collated into larger projects during the second half of the course. 
Prescribed Materials:

Togo and Leonard by Pam Flowers

What the Elders Have Taught Us: Alaska Native Ways by Roy Corral, et al.

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

Ernest Shackleton's Antarctica

Ernest Shackleton's Transantarctic Expedition of 1914 is the departure point of this study. All writing tasks are defined for a particular discipline. Students explore Antarctica through the lens of the famous expedition from a historic and geographic perspective. The impacts of climate variation, geophysical forces, scientific exploration, tourism impacts, expanding biodiversity, Antarctic Treaty Organization and its affiliated organizations are topics students meet throughout the year. Fauna and flora studies cater to students what gravitate to biology, whereas auroras, volcanoes, glaciers, and earthquakes interest students with interest in geophysics. Although aspects of the harsh life that was endured are mentioned, there are limited elaboration on theses matters.

Class Experience:

Every week students read a few chapters in the prescribed book. This forms the introduction to the next class. Students receive instructions on how to complete a small mapping activity and guidance for research  a single crew member. A leadership insight is studied at the rate of one per month. This class includes Latin and Greek root word study, grammar, and poetry appreciation.
Time Commitment:

Although all assignments are started during class, students must budget 2.5 - 3.5 hours in addition to the class time for reading and assigment preparation. Some lessons require independent research. Guidance with regard to excellent sources and strategies for completion are provided.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students in Grade 11 and Grade 12 and adults are welcome to enroll. Several assignments are collated into larger projects in the second half of the course. Staying on task is imperative.

 
Prescribed Materials:

Semester 1: 

Cold Courage: Extraordinary Times by Willy Mitchell

Semester 2: 

The Forgotten Men Shackleton's Forgotten Men: The Untold Tragedy of the Endurance Epic by Lennard Bickel

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it is a binder only and does not include the packet.

If you have already read the above books, then the choices are as follows:

Semester 1: Endurance by Alfred Lansing

Endurance by Alfred Lansing

Semester 2: South by Shackleton

South by Ernest Shackleton

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level C Year 1 Tuesday

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level C Year 1 is the  level to the first year high school level of the core writing program published by the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  This is suitable for high school students that will still be in school during the following year.  

 

Class Experience:

Classes generally follow the same format every week. It starts with a short journal entry followed by poetry memorization or appreciation. The next activity is a root word vocabulary exploration, followed by grammar studies.

During the writing portion of the lesson, a source text/s serve as the starting point. The text is read aloud, and all unfamiliar vocabularies are explained. A keywords outline is constructed from where they retell their story before writing a rough draft. What is not completed during the lesson becomes the homework assignment. 

The learning goals in this methodology are introduced and practiced at the rate of approximately one new concept at a time. When mastery of the goal is achieved, the next concept is introduced, and the practice steps are repeated.
Time Commitment:

Writing assignments are started in class time. Students can budget around 2.5 - 4 hours outside class time to complete all the assigned activities.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students work through two vocabulary textbooks per year for this class level. Every lesson and its activities are assigned and completed per week.


FixIt Grammar is completed at the pace of four days per week. Each day vary in sentence length and complexity.


In some instances, larger writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery of skillsets while producing quality assignments.
Prescribed Materials:

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book B  

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book C  

FixIt! Grammar: Frog Prince 

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level C Year 1  

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level C Year 1 Wednesday

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level C Year 1 is the  level to the first year high school level of the core writing program published by the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  This is suitable for high school students that will still be in school during the following year.  

 

Class Experience:

Classes generally follow the same format every week. It starts with a short journal entry followed by poetry memorization or appreciation. The next activity is a root word vocabulary exploration, followed by grammar studies.

During the writing portion of the lesson, a source text/s serve as the starting point. The text is read aloud, and all unfamiliar vocabularies are explained. A keywords outline is constructed from where they retell their story before writing a rough draft. What is not completed during the lesson becomes the homework assignment. 

The learning goals in this methodology are introduced and practiced at the rate of approximately one new concept at a time. When mastery of the goal is achieved, the next concept is introduced, and the practice steps are repeated.
Time Commitment:

Writing assignments are started in class time. Students can budget around 2.5 - 4 hours outside class time to complete all the assigned activities.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students work through two vocabulary textbooks per year for this class level. Every lesson and its activities are assigned and completed per week.


FixIt Grammar is completed at the pace of four days per week. Each day vary in sentence length and complexity.


In some instances, larger writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery of skillsets while producing quality assignments.
Prescribed Materials:

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book B  

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book C  

FixIt! Grammar: Frog Prince 

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level C Year 1  

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level C Year 2 Friday

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level C Year 2 is the  second year of high school level study of the core writing program published by the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  This is suitable for high school students who are preparing for tertiary level work.

Class Experience:

Classes generally follow the same format every week. It starts with a short journal entry followed by poetry memorization or appreciation. The next activity is a root word vocabulary exploration, followed by grammar studies.

During the writing portion of the lesson, a source text/s serve as the starting point. The text is read aloud, and all unfamiliar vocabularies are explained. A keywords outline is constructed from where they retell their story before writing a rough draft. What is not completed during the lesson becomes the homework assignment. 

The learning goals in this methodology are introduced and practiced at the rate of approximately one new concept at a time. When mastery of the goal is achieved, the next concept is introduced, and the practice steps are repeated.
Time Commitment:

All writing assignments are started during class time. Students can budget additional time of around 2.5 - 4 hours outside class time to complete all the assigned activities. Earlier in the year assignments are shorter and the focus is to build stamina for the second semester assignments.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Students work through two vocabulary textbooks per year for this class level. Every lesson and its activities are assigned and completed per week.


FixIt Grammar is completed at the pace of four days per week. Each day vary in sentence length and complexity depending on the level.

In some instances, longer writing assignments are spread over more weeks. The focus in this class is on mastery and producing quality assignments.
Prescribed Materials:

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book D  

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book E  

FixIt! Grammar: Mermaid 

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level C Year 2  

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it does not include the contents packet.

Powerful Paragraphs High School Thursday

Students explore different styles of paragraphs that are used for specific purposes. Intent of communication and who the target audience may be form part of the curriculum and both are cardinal to the effectiveness of the discourse. Learning how to write thirty different types of paragraphs opens a floodgate of possibilities for academic writing tasks. Students who completed this course and moved into notable tertiary institutions attributed their tertiary successes to possessing these critical thinking, planning, and writing skills.

Class Experience:

In all classes students learn a different way to organize information and write a paragraph.  Introduction to the structure by first giving context and discussing the merits of where the paragraph of study would fit well positions students with a specific focus. Knowing the etymology of the title word for every paragraph and related Latin and Greek root words expands students' horizons. It also reveals the paragraph's power structure. Although the text provides analysis and practical suggestions, the video provide links to the word's origin, root relations, thinking strategies and practical instruction to inform every assignment.
Time Commitment:

Budget for 1 - 1.5 hours of additional time for completing the assignment per week. 
Level and Pace Guidance:

This class benefits all writers in late middle school or early high school who wants to expand their skills. One paragraph type is studied per week. There are a few paragraph types that require different methods or organization and students will complete up to three paragraphs on those selected occasions.
Prescribed Materials:

Compulsory texts:

A Writer's Guide to Powerful Paragraphs by Victor Pellegrino

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it is a binder only and does not include the packet.

Highly Recommended Optional Texts:

A Writer's Guide to Transitional Words and Expressions by Victor Pellegrino

A Writer's Guide to Transitions by Victor Pellegrino

Powerful Paragraphs High School Saturday

Students explore different styles of paragraphs that are used for specific purposes. Intent of communication and who the target audience may be form part of the curriculum and both are cardinal to the effectiveness of the discourse. Learning how to write thirty different types of paragraphs opens a floodgate of possibilities for academic writing tasks. Students who completed this course and moved into notable tertiary institutions attributed their tertiary successes to possessing these critical thinking, planning, and writing skills.

Class Experience:

In all classes students learn a different way to organize information and write a paragraph.  Introduction to the structure by first giving context and discussing the merits of where the paragraph of study would fit well positions students with a specific focus. Knowing the etymology of the title word for every paragraph and related Latin and Greek root words expands students' horizons. It also reveals the paragraph's power structure. Although the text provides analysis and practical suggestions, the video provide links to the word's origin, root relations, thinking strategies and practical instruction to inform every assignment.
Time Commitment:

Budget for 1 - 1.5 hours of additional time for completing the assignment per week. 
Level and Pace Guidance:

This class benefits all writers in late middle school or early high school who wants to expand their skills. One paragraph type is studied per week. There are a few paragraph types that require different methods or organization and students will complete up to three paragraphs on those selected occasions.
Prescribed Materials:

Compulsory texts:

A Writer's Guide to Powerful Paragraphs by Victor Pellegrino

IEW Student Resource Packet 

⚠️ Do not buy the cheaper product that looks the same because it is a binder only and does not include the packet.

Highly Recommended Optional Texts:

A Writer's Guide to Transitional Words and Expressions by Victor Pellegrino

A Writer's Guide to Transitions by Victor Pellegrino

The Bedford Reader - College Readiness Writing Wednesday

Students in their senior year destined for college can arrive well-prepared for the writing tasks that await. The study of the Bedford Reader and the available Student Companion for the Bedford reader can be thought of as a journey grounded in critical thinking with ample analysis, inference, synthesis, evaluation, and reflection across diverse genres. The multitude of texts included provides practice for critical reading and thinking activities while honing classical rhetoric principles at the same time.

The accompanying workbook scaffolds the academic environment with practical insight into how to succeed in college by building confidence, implementing time management strategies, and avoiding common distractions. Journaling at this level and how to keep it organized are practiced weekly.

Class Experience:

This interactive class uses the prescribed text to analyze the well-selected excerpts from the works of notable authors. Questions guiding critial thinking and practice in the Student Companion set the stage for the production of writing effective essays.  Peer review is an important part of this class because this is where callibration of creative options, opinions, and biases become self-evident.  Reading and writing projects are started during class time.
Time Commitment:

Students require aproximatey 2.5 hours of additional effort on assignment completion.

Although some reading takes place during class, reading preparation is required.
Level and Pace Guidance:

This class is only available to those destined for college or university in the following academic year. Students who are already in college and struggle with reading and writing tasks are welcome too.

The pace is as follows:

Week 1: Critical Reading, Week 2: The Writing Process (Chapers 2 & 3); Week 3: Editing, Weeks 4: Editing; Weeks: 5, 6, & 7: Narration; Weeks: 8, 9, & 10: Description; Weeks 11 & 12: Example; Weeks 13 & 14: Comparison and Contrast; Weeks 15 & 16: Process Analysis; Weeks 17, 18, & 19: Division and Analysis; Weeks 20 & 21: Classification;  Week 22 & 23: Cause and Effect; Week 24 & 25: Definition; Week 26 - 29: Argument and Persuasion; Week 30 - 32: Mixing Methods.
Prescribed Materials:

The Bedford Reader: Fourteenth Edition

X.J. Kennedy et.al

A Student's Companion to the Bedford Reader

Catanese Elizabeth

2" Binder

Loose Leaf Paper

Blue pens and yellow highlighters

Composition Book (9.75 X 7.5 inches)

The Bedford Reader - College Readiness Writing Friday

Students in their senior year destined for college can arrive well-prepared for the writing tasks that await. The study of the Bedford Reader and the available Student Companion for the Bedford reader can be thought of as a journey grounded in critical thinking with ample analysis, inference, synthesis, evaluation, and reflection across diverse genres. The multitude of texts included provides practice for critical reading and thinking activities while honing classical rhetoric principles at the same time.

The accompanying workbook scaffolds the academic environment with practical insight into how to succeed in college by building confidence, implementing time management strategies, and avoiding common distractions. Journaling at this level and how to keep it organized are practiced weekly.

Class Experience:

This interactive class uses the prescribed text to analyze the well-selected excerpts from the works of notable authors. Questions guiding critial thinking and practice in the Student Companion set the stage for the production of writing effective essays.  Peer review is an important part of this class because this is where callibration of creative options, opinions, and biases become self-evident.  Reading and writing projects are started during class time.
Time Commitment:

Students require aproximatey 2.5 hours of additional effort on assignment completion.

Although some reading takes place during class, reading preparation is required.
Level and Pace Guidance:

This class is only available to those destined for college or university in the following academic year. Students who are already in college and struggle with reading and writing tasks are welcome too.

The pace is as follows:

Week 1: Critical Reading, Week 2: The Writing Process (Chapers 2 & 3); Week 3: Editing, Weeks 4: Editing; Weeks: 5, 6, & 7: Narration; Weeks: 8, 9, & 10: Description; Weeks 11 & 12: Example; Weeks 13 & 14: Comparison and Contrast; Weeks 15 & 16: Process Analysis; Weeks 17, 18, & 19: Division and Analysis; Weeks 20 & 21: Classification;  Week 22 & 23: Cause and Effect; Week 24 & 25: Definition; Week 26 - 29: Argument and Persuasion; Week 30 - 32: Mixing Methods.
Prescribed Materials:

The Bedford Reader: Fourteenth Edition

X.J. Kennedy et.al

A Student's Companion to the Bedford Reader

Catanese Elizabeth

2" Binder

Loose Leaf Paper

Blue pens and yellow highlighters

Composition Book (9.75 X 7.5 inches)

Piano Lessons

Class Experience:


Techhnique with Dozen a Day Mini Book

Strengthen your fingers while you are learning to read notes. The prescribed text for this is Dozen A Day Mini Book by Edna Mae Burnam.


Class Experience:


Step by Step Book 1

These are help videos for students in Step by Step Book 1

Class Experience:


All Things Fun and Fascinating Chima

Class Experience:


WAC: Working Animals Gr. 3-5 (SA)

In this Writing-Across-the-Curriculum course elementary students meet animals that work in different parts of the world.  Learning about these regions and why that may be the only place with specific jobs a particular animal, students are exposed to geography.  A short math problem, poem, critical thinking exercise make connections to other learning areas.



Class Experience:

From service dogs to carrier pigeons and African Pouch Rats that pinpoint explosives, this course enables students to learn to write well. This class includes Latin and Greek root word study, grammar, and poetry appreciation.

Students learn how animals benefit us in different ways. Care for these helpers and what regulations exist to safeguard them are important and frequently discussed.
Time Commitment:

Time to complete the assignments vary from one hour per week in the beginning escalating to two hours towards the end of the course. Some assignments are collated into larger projects.
Level and Pace Guidance:

Grade four to five students will thrive here.


Prescribed Materials:

National Geographic Kids Animal Stories: Heartwarming True Tales from the Animal Kingdom by Jane Yolen

Paragraphs for Africa

In this class students learn thirty different ways to write paragraphs. It is through understanding how to think before the writing task begins that is important.  Learning additional tools for constructing a paragraph with intent, students expand their options and select the best structure for the task at hand. Middle school students who are confident writers may join this class upon request.

Photo Credit: Photo by Denis Chick


Class Experience:


IEW SSS LC Y1 (Lotanna And Lola)

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level C Year 1 is the  level to the first year high school level of the core writing program published by the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  This is suitable for high school students that will still be in school during the following year. 

Effective Note-taking and Study Skills are included!

Get your Materials List ahead of start date: 9 September!


Class Experience:


Powerful Paragraphs - Individual

In this class students learn thirty different ways to write paragraphs. It is through understanding how to think before the writing task begins that is important.  Learning additional tools for constructing a paragraph with intent, students expand their options and select the best structure for the task at hand. Middle school students who are confident writers may join this class upon request.

Photo Credit: Photo by Denis Chick


Class Experience:

In each class students learn a different way to organize a paragraph.  Introduction to the structure by first giving context and discussing the merits of where the paragraph of study would fit well.  Knowing the etymology of the word and related Latin and Greek root words frame the paragraph's power structure. Although the text provides analysis and practical suggestions, the video provide links to the word's origin, root relations, and thinking strategies and practical instruction to inform the writing.
Time Commitment:

Budget 1 - 1.5 hours additional for completing the assignment per week. 
Level and Pace Guidance:

This class benefits all writers in late middle school, high school, and even those at college still need to practice these skills.

One paragraph type is studied per week. 
Prescribed Materials:

Compulsory texts:

1. A Writer's Guide to Powerful Paragraphs by Victor Pellegrino 


Optional texts:

2. A Writer's Guide to Transitional Words and Expressions by Victor Pellegrino 

3. A Writer's Guide to using 8 Methods of Transitions by Victor Pellegrino

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level A Year 2 - Elementary Level

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level A Year 2 is the continuation level to the core writing program from the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  This is suitable for elementary students that are destined for the next level of schooling in the following year.  Students who still need to build more confidence before moving up are welcome here.




Class Experience:


IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 2 - Middle School Level

IEW Structure and Style for Students Level B Year 2 is the continuation level to the core writing program published by the Institute for Excellence in Writing.  This is suitable for middle school students that are destined for the next level of schooling in the following year.  Students who still need to build more confidence before moving up are welcome here.


Class Experience: