What’s the difference between Writers in the Making, Ink Masters in Training, and Wordsmiths at Work?
Great question! All three courses use the IEW Structure and Style method, but they are designed for different skill levels and focus on different subject areas:
- Writers in the Making, writing with science, is for emerging early middle schoolers who are still building confidence with paragraph structure, grammar, and basic writing skills.
- Ink Masters in Training, engaging lessons from Narnia, is for intermediate middle schoolers ready to tackle longer writing assignments, practice literary techniques, and build their writing voice through
- Wordsmiths at Work, writing with U.S. history, 🇺🇲 is for advanced high schoolers who are refining their style, focusing on sophisticated sentence structure, and preparing for upper-level high school and beyond with more analytical and creative writing.
📝Does my child need previous IEW experience to take one of these classes?
Not necessarily! Each class provides instruction and support tailored to that level of experience. If your child is new to IEW, Writers in the Making or Ink Masters in Training is a great place to jump in! Wordsmiths at Work is best for students with prior structured writing experience who are ready for more advanced composition
⏰How much time will my child need to spend on assignments outside of class?
On average, students should expect to spend 2-4 hours per week on assignments, depending on the course level, the week’s workload, and the student’s work pace. We keep it manageable, with a focus on practice and steady progress.
🌱What kind of feedback will my child receive?
Each student is supported through constructive comments and a warm, approachable teaching style that helps build both skill and confidence (so very important!).
Practice makes perfect, so our Practice Challenges are meant for students to experiment and explore with their writing and new concepts. These assignments are marked Complete or Incomplete.
Performance Quests are graded with specific, personalized, encouraging feedback. My feedback system is called Two Stars and a Wish✨ – two things that a student did really well and one very important thing that the student can improve upon. Build writing savvy while maintaining confidence is key!
Wordsmiths at Work: Level C Composition
$579.00
Wordsmiths at Work: Level C Composition
Wordsmiths at Work is a high school composition course suggested for advanced writers in 8th -9th grade who are ready to forge form, fashion, and flair in their writing!
Journey through America’s past, crafting powerful essays and unforgettable stories from our country’s history – from early explorers to the American Revolution to the World Wars and much more!
Teacher: Beth Purcell
Semester/Year: Year-long
Grade Level: Middle – High School (8th–9th grades, approved 7th-grade students)
Day and Time: 2026/2027 Wednesday : 12:45-1:45
Credit: One Year
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”Mrs. Purcell is an incredible teacher who has conveyed to us her love of writing and has helped us learn to at least like it if not love it as well.” TNA Student
Course Information 2026/2027
Course Title: Wordsmiths at Work: Level C Composition
Teacher: Beth Purcell
Semester/Year: Year-long
Grade Level: Middle – High School (8th–9th grades, approved 7th-grade students)
Day and Time: Wednesday : 12:45-1:45
Credit: One Year
Class Description
Travel back in time to attend the Constitutional Convention!
Witness the California Gold Rush!
Walk the Trail of Tears!
Wordsmiths at Work is a full-year course that offers high school composition credit and is recommended for advanced writers in grades 8–9 who are ready to master standard writing structure and grammar skills. This inspiring course elevates students’ writing skills as they construct powerful, engaging narratives and extended formal essays.
In Level C, students will read and write about significant events in U.S. history, from early explorers to the American Revolution to the World Wars and beyond. Using Institute for Excellence in Writing units, students will integrate advanced literary devices and techniques into their writing while practicing various advanced essay formats. Grammar instruction will continue to be integrated into the writing curriculum.
The course culminates in a twelve-paragraph expanded essay and a professional digital portfolio to showcase students’ composition talents.
What to Expect:
Class time will focus on:
- Reading and discussing source texts.
- Working together to implement specific writing styles.
- Completing weekly composition assignments for grading.
Key Focus Areas Include:
- Developing keyword outlines as a successful prewriting strategy.
- Analyzing texts and narratives.
- Mastering paragraph structure and advanced writing techniques.
- Engaging in interactive learning experiences and discussions.
- Crafting compelling, inventive writing.
- Evaluating and proofreading drafts.
This course is ideal for students who aspire to:
- Learn effective prewriting strategies.
- Elevate their writing with advanced techniques.
- Build grammar and proofreading skills.
- Understand academic writing elements.
- Gain confidence in their writing abilities.
By the end of this course, students will have a strong foundation in note-taking, writing from multiple sources, storytelling, creative composition, proofreading, vocabulary, and grammar.
Please note: This is a writing class and is not meant to replace a history curriculum.
Required Materials/Prerequisites
Required Text:
- Advanced U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons (Student Book Only)
Prerequisites:
- Completion of Writers in the Making - Level A and Ink Masters in Training - Level B.
- Students who have completed at least two IEW courses elsewhere may enroll with instructor approval.
- Advanced 7th graders may also enroll with instructor approval.
SAMR Model Application
Wordsmiths at Work: Level C Composition leverages technology to enhance learning at every level of the SAMR model:
- Substitution: Students use word processing software for drafting and editing essays instead of traditional pen-and-paper methods.
- Augmentation: Online research databases and academic search engines enhance students' ability to find and evaluate sources.
- Modification: Collaborative online platforms enable peer review and feedback, improving the writing process.
- Redefinition: Students use digital tools to analyze and refine their work, receiving feedback and support for drafting and revisions. They also create multimedia presentations of their research, incorporating interactive elements that extend beyond traditional written reports.
Want to See How This Fits Into a Bigger Plan?
This class can stand alone — or be part of a larger pathway at True North Academy.
From Core 4 foundations to Associate and Dual Degree options, we help families build a clear, customized plan for middle and high school.
Not sure what’s right for your student?
🎯 Schedule a free advising session and let’s map it out together.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Additional information
| Day/Time | Wednesday 12:45, Monay 11:30 |
|---|
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.