Fix It! Grammar is a story-based grammar curriculum from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) where students learn by hunting for and correcting errors in daily passages that tell an ongoing story across 33 weeks of instruction.
What is Fix It! Grammar?
Fix It! Grammar is a complete grammar curriculum created by Pamela White and published by the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). Rather than teaching grammar through isolated drills, the program embeds instruction in engaging stories—fairy tales and classics like Robin Hood and The Little Mermaid. Students read short daily passages containing intentional errors, identify and correct those errors using proofreading marks, then rewrite the corrected sentences. This approach helps students internalize grammar rules in context, making the transfer to their own writing more natural.
Key Takeaways
- Six levels spanning grades 3-12 with flexible placement based on ability
- Each level provides 33 weeks (one full year) of grammar instruction
- Daily lessons take only 10-15 minutes, 4-5 days per week
- Teacher/Student combo packs cost $29 per level
- Introduces concepts incrementally with built-in spiral review
The Six Levels
How It Works
The weekly structure keeps lessons manageable. Day 1 provides expanded instruction with targeted teaching and examples. Days 2-5 offer daily editing exercises taking 10-15 minutes each. Students identify errors listed at the top of each page (the fourth edition tells students exactly how many to find), mark corrections using proofreading symbols, and rewrite the corrected sentence. Optional vocabulary work accompanies each passage. Concepts are introduced one at a time and spiral back throughout the year, building complexity as students progress.
What Makes It Effective
Learning grammar in context—rather than through disconnected worksheets—helps students understand why rules matter and when to apply them. The story element keeps students engaged; they actually want to continue reading to see what happens next. The fourth edition improvements addressed earlier frustrations by specifying exactly how many errors appear in each passage, eliminating guesswork. Students can work independently most days after understanding the process, with parents primarily involved in the Day 1 instruction. High schoolers often complete an entire week's work independently before checking answers.
Considerations Before Choosing
Fix It! Grammar doesn't include sentence diagramming, which some families consider essential. Students who retain information quickly may find the spiral review repetitive. The program relies on parents to convey Day 1 instruction without exact scripting, requiring some comfort with grammar concepts. Begin in Level 1 regardless of your student's age if they lack grammar background—the stories appeal across ages, and the foundational concepts matter. Review the placement samples on IEW's website to determine the right starting point.
The Bottom Line
Fix It! Grammar succeeds at making grammar instruction engaging rather than tedious. The combination of story-driven learning, short daily lessons, and contextual application helps grammar concepts stick and transfer to students' own writing. Parents consistently report that their children actually enjoy these lessons—a rare accomplishment for grammar curriculum. The $29 price point for a complete year makes it affordable, and the independence it builds in older students frees up parent time. If your family values grammar taught in context over traditional drill-and-kill approaches, this program delivers.
