Andrew Pudewa
Andrew Pudewa is the director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing and a homeschooling father of seven. Presenting throughout North America, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music with clarity and insight, practical experience and humor. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students’ skills.
Although he is a graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan, and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development from the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his best endorsement is from a young Alaskan boy who called him “the funny man with the wonderful words.” He and his beautiful, heroic wife Robin currently teach their three youngest children at home in Atascadero, California.
Workshops:
Plenary: What Are We Really Doing Here? Monday 2:30 PM
The Institute for Excellence in Writing started after Andrew Pudewa learned the Structure and Style in composition method from Dr. J. B. Webster almost 20 years ago. As Andrew began teaching this method to parents and teachers across the United States, it became evident that what he was teaching was much more than just a writing curriculum. We are, he believes, now part of something much, much greater than “improving basic skills” or “preparing our children for college.” We are engaged in the great work of empowering a wave of young people who will have the means and the motivation to boldly enter the war of ideas, knowing how to think and powerfully employ the spoken and written word.
Humor and Other Motivators in Teaching Wednesday 10:20 AM
The power of humor and mirth to aid in effective teaching is certain. Although some people have more of a natural inclination toward humor than others, everyone can study and learn how to use the elements of humor to improve their teaching and speaking skills. Learn to incorporate the rhetorical techniques of Misunderstanding, Absurdity, Hyperbole, Exaggeration, Understatement, Double Entendre, and more.
The Four Language Arts Wednesday 1:30 PM
When asked, “What are the language arts,” people may respond by listing such things as: spelling, phonics, grammar, penmanship, composition, etc. But actually, only one of these is correct! According to the classical (and the common sense) model, there are four core “language arts” and to teach each from the beginning in the proper way must be the highest priority for those who call themselves “writing educators.”
Understanding the Brain Thursday 8:30 AM
To maximize our teaching in the classroom and at home with our students, we must know more about how the brain functions, how information is stored, what are some of the impediments to learning from which our students may suffer, and how we can “teach at the point of need” and in a neurologically appropriate way. There are not only gender differences, but there are significant learning differences that bear specifically on the teaching of writing. Let us begin our study of the brain, and continue to study it for years to come.
Plenary: Where Do We Go from Here? Thursday 10:20 AM
Continuing the legacy that began 70 years ago in a one-room schoolhouse in Saskatchewan, Canada, IEW sees a bright future. Many new projects and products are in the works. We invite you to join us as we seek to expand our products and services, reaching out to all who can benefit from “an effective method for teaching writing” and more!