Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons: Part 1 of 2 (15 Weeks)
Course Overview: This course is designed to explore ancient civilizations while teaching students how to write effectively using the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) methods. We will cover civilizations such as Sumer, Egypt, Israel, Babylon, Greece, Rome, Asia Minor, and Asia. Students will learn and practice writing techniques through IEW’s structural units 1–9 and gradually incorporate elements of style into their writing. Vocabulary enhancement will be an integral part of each lesson. No prior IEW experience is required.
Required Textbook: Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons Student Book
Class Structure:
•	Weekly review of lesson material
•	In-class discussions and outlines
•	Weekly writing assignments
•	Vocabulary drills and quizzes
•	Assignments submitted via Google Classroom
•	Feedback and scoring based on lesson checklists
•	Optional advanced lessons for extra practice
Syllabus:
Week 1 - Lesson 1 (Unit 1)
•	Topic: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
•	Techniques: Introduction to Style, Outlines
•	Activities: Introduction to course, creating outlines, basic stylistic techniques.
Week 2 - Lesson 2 (Unit 2)
•	Topic: The Lighthouse of Alexandria
•	Technique: Writing from an Outline, -ly Adverbs
•	Activities: Practice writing from an outline, introduction to -ly adverbs.
Week 3 - Lesson 3
•	Topic: Roman Hypocaust Systems
•	Technique and Activities:  Review from Week 2
Week 4 - Lesson 4
•	Topic: Roman Aqueducts
•	Technique: Who/Which Clauses, Title Rule
•	Activities: Incorporating who/which clauses, understanding the title rule in writing.
Week 5 - Lesson 5 (Unit 3)
•	Topic: The Wind and the Sun (Fable)
•	Technique: Story Sequence Charts
•	Activities: Using story sequence charts for writing.
Week 6 - Lesson 6
•	Topic: The Sword of Damocles (ancient parable)
•	Technique: Strong Verbs, Banned Words: go/went, say/said
•	Activities: Identifying and using strong verbs, avoiding banned words.
Week 7 - Lesson 7
•	Topic: The Trojan Horse (Greek myth)
•	Technique: Because Clause
•	Activities: Writing using because clauses.
Week 8 - Lesson 8
•	Topic: Cincinnatus Rules Rome (myth)
•	Technique and Activities: Review from week 7
Week 9 - Lesson 9 (Unit 4)
•	Topic: The Epic of Gilgamesh
•	Technique:  Summarizing a Reference, banned words:  get/got
•	Activities: Techniques for summarizing references effectively.
Week 10 - Lesson 10
•	Topic: King Tut
•	Quality Adjectives, Banned Words: good, bad, big, small 
•	Activities: Using quality adjectives, avoiding banned words.
Week 11 - Lesson 11
•	Topic: The Mayans and Chocolate
•	Technique: www.asia
•	Activities: Introduction to www.asia sentence structures, practice writing.
Week 12 - Lesson 12
•	Topic: Ashurbanipal’s Library
•	Technique: #2 Prepositional Opener
•	Activities: Using prepositional openers in sentences, practice writing.
Week 13 - Lesson 13 (Unit 5)
•	Topic: A Pharos Island Legend
•	Technique: Writing from Pictures
•	Activities: Writing assignments based on pictures, incorporating dual dress-ups.
Week 14 - Lesson 14
•	Topic: A Roman Chariot Race
•	Technique:  #3 -ly Adverb Opener
•	Activities: Using -ly adverb openers in sentence, practice writing. 
Week 15 - Lesson 15
•	Topic: An Egyptian Tomb
•	Technique and Activities: Practice all learned this semester


Get $15 off my class "IEW Fix It! Grammar” with coupon code JENALBUNDLE215 if you enroll in a writing class too!