Describe a time when you were looking forward to something but had to wait for it to happen and then share what you did to while away the hours. Examples: waiting for the next episode of your favorite TV show or your favorite holiday.
New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.
The Pouch Book Club for January 2019 is starting soon! Can you believe we’re almost halfway through December already? January will be here sooner than you know it, so make sure you sign up for the Pouch Book Club now.
If I could host you all in my cozy living room for book discussion, I would. Instead, Brave Writer provides you a virtual living room space—where students gather to freely discuss the novels they read with you at home. We’ve created a secure environment where kids gather and are guided by a discussion facilitator who helps these kids take their answers deeper. Instead of talking out loud, your kids will use a keyboard and transcribe their thoughts into writing—the kind you can print and save, read again and consider.
Also a FREE digital copy of our language arts guide based on the book select for the month is provided.
[This post contains Amazon affiliate links. When you click on those links to make purchases,
Brave Writer receives compensation at no extra cost to you. Thank you!]
January’s selection for the Pouch Book Club is Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.
As the German troops begin their campaign to “relocate” all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen’s family takes in Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war. Winner of the 1990 Newbery Medal.—Amazon
Purchase the novel here.
Due to popular demand, Brave Writer now offers a transition book club between the Arrow and Boomerang. The Pouch club is for middle schoolers who want to discuss novels with their peers, who are ready to learn the art of thinking and writing simultaneously all while excited about a great story!
Let Brave Writer help you. These book discussions are drawn from entertaining works of fiction that your kids are sure to love!
Caveat: Please remember that you’re the parent. If you have doubts about the content of a particular book, please check the reviews of the novel or read it for yourself first. Pouch and Boomerang books in particular may include sexuality, graphic language, and mature themes.
Getting cozy on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn watching movies and counting it as “school” is homeschool at its finest. Grab your teen and your favorite snacks and join us in our first Movie Discussion Club of 2019 (Jan 7—Feb 1). You won’t want to miss this special selection of films.
Discussing movies doesn’t feel like the chore of writing. When we get close to a teen’s passion, the words flow easier. For the teens who love movies, it’s not enough to watch them. They want to rehash the casting choices, the twist in the plot, the unsatisfying ending. Give them a chance to dive deep!
Kick off the new year with discussion about thought-provoking films on the theme of transformation. The big question asked in each of these films set in locations around the world: Given the constraints of the life we are living, is change possible? Join us in this club and discover the filmmakers’ fascinating answers.
The Breadwinner — Physical transformation. An animated tale set in Afghanistan where an 11-year-old girl takes on the appearance of a boy to support her family.
The Dhamma Brothers — Spiritual transformation. A documentary of what happens to a group of hardened criminals in an Alabama prison when they undertake the grueling 10-day challenge of Vipassana meditation.
Whale Rider — Cultural transformation. Set in New Zealand, an old chief searches desperately for the next leader of the community amongst the boys of the village. He refuses to see that his own granddaughter may be the best choice.
Please Vote for Me — Political transformation. This documentary follows a class of elementary school students in China as they participate in democratic elections to determine who will hold the coveted post of Class Monitor.
I love the way it doesn’t feel like writing, even though it is! And, instead of just watching the movie, I got to ponder deeper into the movie, versus skimming the surface. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! —Brian N.
[About the Globetrotters—Iran Movie Club] To me, this was more than a movie club. Through these movies, I have learned not only how Iranian movies are made but also about Iranian history, culture, people, religion, geography, law, human rights issues, and much more. I am positive that I have learned a lot more than I could have ever learned in a geography or social studies class. It was an eye opening experience. I just love the club so much. —Meg I.
Online classes for Spring Semester are filling up quickly—hop on over to our 2019 Spring Class Schedule and sign your kiddo(s) up for their favorite picks before we’re sold out!
Brave Writer classes are designed for the busy homeschooling parent:
The Arrow Book Club for January 2019 is starting soon! It’s hard to believe that December is almost halfway over already, but January will be here sooner than you know it, and we at Brave Writer want to make sure you don’t miss out on the January Arrow Book Club.
If you’re looking for an easy way into online classes for your child, our book clubs are great for that! Kids love “talking” (a.k.a. writing) about books. In these Brave Writer classes, they will be able to discuss the books freely with instructor guidance and encouragement.
Also a FREE digital copy of our language arts guide based on the book is provided.
[This post contains Amazon affiliate links. When you click on those links to make purchases,
Brave Writer receives compensation at no extra cost to you. Thank you!]
January’s Arrow Book Club selection is Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr.
Hiroshima-born Sadako is an active, full-of-life athlete until she falls ill with leukemia. Legend holds that if a sick person folds one thousand paper cranes, they will regain their health. Sadako takes up the challenge with courage and bravery. Based on a true story, this short, classic tale will touch your heart.
Purchase the novel here.
The Arrow Book Club provides an online discussion space (asynchronous, bulletin board style) for students to learn to discuss literature using literary analysis vocabulary without the pressure of writing “essays.” Homeschool students especially need the chance to talk about what they read—-yet the busy mother-of-many doesn’t always have time to take the discussion to a written form.
Let Brave Writer help you. These book discussions are drawn from entertaining works of fiction that your kids are sure to love!
Caveat: Please remember that you’re the parent. If you have doubts about the content of a particular book, please check the reviews of the novel or read it for yourself first.
Homeschooling can be a lonely journey. Our days are filled with little faces, but quality time with a fellow adult might be sparse!
Today’s (Canadian!) podcast guest of honor, Jennifer Hunter, wrote to me about experiencing loneliness in her current season of life as a large, single-vehicle family with small children.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed with the effort, expectations, and disappointment of making new friends? I’ve been there! And I’m here to help.
Being part of a community is an essential part of your self-care.
Jennifer and I chat about:
Are you ready to take the courageous leap and carve out a slice of sacred time for yourself?
Start with this episode: pour yourself a mug of something warm, and press play.
Our fantasies for more don’t go away when we ignore them; they grow and they become a voracious appetite for your soul. If these feelings are pushed down, the appetite becomes so large that it could shipwreck the thing you value the most.
So, pay attention to your hungers and value them. If there’s a pain somewhere, that means there is a need that matters and needs to be addressed. It’s important to give yourself love and kindness, just like you do for your children. You’re modeling self-care for your kiddos!
When looking for new friends, whether they’re people who you can spend time with to get a break from your children or potential family friends, remember that everybody has different needs and desires. It might take multiple attempts to find a good match, but don’t give up!
Please post a review on iTunes for us (here’s a handy guide)?
Help a homeschooler like you find more joy in the journey. Thanks!
