Fix It! Grammar by Institute for Excellence in Writing

What Reviewers Say

Reviewers frequently highlight the efficiency and practical application of Fix It! Grammar. Cathy Duffy Reviews emphasizes that the program moves beyond rote memorization by teaching students to think like editors through immediate application. Treehouse Schoolhouse recommends the curriculum for Charlotte Mason families seeking a living-book style without the need to source their own passages. Well-Trained Mind Forums warns that while the program starts very gently, it eventually ramps up to significant rigor for those who complete it.

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 places students by grammar background rather than age or grade: the publisher recommends reviewing the book descriptions and Student samples, and says students with little or no grammar background should begin in Level 1 regardless of their age. Starting at Level 1 also ensures students 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 - $29

Each of the six levels is a full year of instruction. A level costs $29 as a Teacher/Student Combo (Teacher's Manual and Student Book), or $19 for the Teacher's Manual or the Student Book alone. Fix It! Grammar Cards are $15.

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

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: May 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 stand-alone grammar program, with each level a full year of instruction, that parents can pair with any writing curriculum while still using the specific IEW vocabulary.

Getting Started