What Reviewers Say

Reviewers consistently praise Fix It! Grammar for its 'edit-in-context' approach, which helps students apply grammar rules to actual writing rather than isolated drills. Sources like Cathy Duffy and The Homeschool Mom emphasize the efficiency of the program, noting that lessons take only about 15 minutes daily. The narrative structure—where students edit a single story throughout the year—is frequently cited as a major engagement factor for reluctant learners. However, a common trade-off noted in the Well-Trained Mind forums is the placement challenge; because the program is incremental and often more rigorous than standard grade-level work, older students frequently need to start at lower levels (Level 1 or 2) to master the specific IEW marking system, which can be frustrating for some parents of high schoolers. Overall, it is viewed as a highly effective, low-stress curriculum that yields high retention.

How It Works

Each day, the student spends about 15 minutes working with a single sentence from an ongoing story, which they mark for parts of speech and correct for grammar or mechanical errors. On the first day of the week, the parent uses the teacher's manual to explain a new grammar concept, and they work together to identify the 'fixes' in that day's sentence. For the following three days, the child identifies the errors independently using a provided checklist before rewriting the corrected sentence into a separate notebook to eventually complete the entire story. The parent then reviews the daily work using the teacher’s guide, which includes detailed explanations for every correction to help the parent explain the 'why' behind each rule.

Switching to This?

IEW offers free placement tests on their website, which are essential because the levels are based on grammar mastery rather than age or grade level. A common rule of thumb in the homeschool community is to start new students at Level 1 or 2 regardless of their grade, as this ensures they learn the specific IEW marking system and vocabulary used in later books. While families can easily start mid-year, they should begin at the first lesson of a level rather than skipping ahead, as the rules and story are strictly incremental. Parents switching from a traditional workbook-style curriculum should expect a shift away from repetitive drills toward a more integrated, 'edit-as-you-go' philosophy that emphasizes application over memorization.

Curriculum Details

Price

$19 - $48

Student workbooks are typically $19.00; Teacher's Manuals (which often include a free student e-book download) are $29.00. Full sets for one level are approximately $48.00.

Grades

3 - 12

Available As

Print Digital Workbook

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Reading/Language Arts

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Pacing

Flexible

Parent Time

10-20 min/day

Parent Involvement

Minimal

Student Independence

Semi-independent

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Academic Level

Above grade level

Worldview

Neutral

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

Compared to Easy Grammar, which uses isolated workbook pages for daily drills, Fix It! Grammar uses a continuous narrative that requires students to find errors within the context of a story. When weighed against First Language Lessons, Fix It! is significantly less repetitive and takes less time, making it a better fit for older students or those who prefer a 'get it done' approach. Against Analytical Grammar, which is often used as a heavy, short-term intensive, Fix It! offers a much lighter, year-long daily exposure that many find better for long-term retention. Parents choosing between this and Michael Clay Thompson (MCT) will find Fix It! much more structured and rule-oriented, whereas MCT focuses on the beauty and philosophy of language. Finally, unlike many comprehensive programs that bundle grammar with writing, Fix It! is a focused supplement that allows parents to pair it with any writing curriculum while still using the specific IEW vocabulary.

Getting Started