In this class, students will practice IEW style writing (based on Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing program) using medieval history-based writing lessons.  This is a great class for students who have some IEW experience and want to continue reviewing and practicing writing from a source and using key word outlines, dress ups, and openers.

The text sources in this class are medieval history-based, so students will learn some history and vocabulary while focusing on becoming skilled, confident, independent writers.

Class is recommended for grades 5 and up, and best for students who have some IEW Writing experience.

Classes begin September 2018

I am offering this class at the Murrieta HomeSchool Campus on Thursdays  beginning September 6, 2018.

In this class, students will practice IEW style writing (based on Andrew Pudewa’s Institute for Excellence in Writing program) using ancient history-based writing lessons.  This is a great class for students who have some IEW experience and want to continue reviewing and practicing writing from a source and using key word outlines, dress ups, and openers.

The text sources in this class are ancient history-based, so students will learn some history and vocabulary while focusing on becoming skilled, confident, independent writers.

Class is recommended for grades 5-8, and is best for students who have some IEW Writing experience.

Classes begin September 6, 2018

I am offering this class at the Murrieta HomeSchool Campus on Thursdays at 10:00 am beginning September 6.  Please email holly.dodson@verizon.net or call 951-302-0540 for additional information or to enroll your student.

Beginning February 7, 2017

Parents have been asking for this: all new class on how to write a research report, including choosing a topic, choosing resources, taking notes, creating an outline, writing a rough draft, and MLA footnote and bibliography citations.

This class will provide step-by-step instructions, making the “dreaded” research report a relatively painless process.

Recommended for grades 5 and up.

$125 for eight weeks

A new IEW Writing I class will begin on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from 1:30-2:25 pm.  The cost is $125 for eight weeks.  Call or email Holly for additional questions or to enroll your students.

This class is also offered as an online, self-paced class if you are unable to attend in person.

IEW Writing I begins Wednesday, September 7, 2016, 9:00-9:55 am, with a new session just opened beginning Wednesday, September 7 10:00-10:55 am.

IEW Writing IV begins Tuesday, September 6, 2016 9:00-9:55 am.

Call or email me to reserve a spot for your student.

I’ve been doing private tutoring for twenty years, and I’ve personally seen one-on-one tutoring help hundreds of students improve their skills and confidence.  A new study just released in Journal of Neuroscience reveals that one-on-one tutoring in math plays an even bigger role than we thought.  It reduces fear and anxiety that can lead to disadvantages in school and even in later life.  NPR posted the article here.

I still have some openings available for private tutoring the 2015-16 school year.  Please call or email me if you’d like to give your student the advantage of one-on-one support.

I am now an approved vendor for Sage Oak Charter School.   Please spread the word if you know anyone who will be attending Sage Oak.  New classes begin September 15, 2015!

New Writing Classes will begin on Wednesday, September 9, 2015.  I will offer IEW Writing I for 4th-8th grades, pre-IEW for 2nd and 3rd graders, and am taking requests for other classes as needed.  Please email me at holly.dodson@verizon.net or call Holly at 951-302-0540.

A new Response to Literature/Opinion Writing Class will begin on Monday, October 15 at 1:00 p.m.

Response to Literature/Opinion Writing

This class will incorporate literature selections to teach the Opinion/Argumentative writing domain.  After reading high interest stories, students will learn to write a quick summary of the text, state an opinion about character traits, theme, or mood of the setting, support their opinion with evidence from the story (using direct quotes or paraphrasing), analyze how the evidence supports their opinion, and make a connection between the story and themselves, other texts, or the outside world.

As with all my classes, this complex writing domain will be broken down into simple, easy to follow steps so students learn a formula for responding to literature and writing opinions without becoming overwhelmed.  Before we write, we will spend lots of time on planning and oral rehearsal, both crucial but often overlooked components of the writing process. Within the context of response to literature writing, we will discuss organization, word choice, sentence fluency, transitions, and conventions of writing.

Grades 4 and up

$125 for eight weeks

New classes begin Monday, October 15, 1:00-1:55 p.m.