September 2018 - Page 3 of 4 - A Brave Writer's Life in Brief A Brave Writer's Life in Brief
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A Brave Writer's Life in Brief

Thoughts from my home to yours

Archive for September, 2018

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Friday Freewrite: Louder than Words

Louder than Words

“Actions speak louder than words” is a popular saying. Do you think it’s true? Why or why not?

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

Tags: Writing prompts
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Brave Writer Podcast: How to Be Your Child’s Partner in Writing

How to Be Your Child's Partner in Writing

After working with parents for years, we have learned that there is often a reluctance to give your own efforts to your child’s writing.

But kids with parents who are involved in their education get better grades, and as a result, they feel more successful – and children who receive no support end up performing worse.

This podcast episode will help support you as you support your kids, so that they can be their best academic selves.

Partnering with Your Child

Parental involvement in education is what produces the greatest results in children!

It’s easy to understand why this happens in a traditional school environment with one teacher for 20 or more kids. All that teacher can see is the final result of effort, and they have no way of knowing who contributed what amounts of effort.

But you aren’t in a traditional school environment – and you have a front-row seat to your children’s development! You can see exactly what they contribute, and you know when you help them structure or sentence or add in a vocabulary word; you know what is their effort and what is your combined efforts.

So just kick that fear out of your brain and embrace involvement in your children’s writing education – collaboration in writing is a gift, and you have both the responsibility and ability to give that gift to your child so that you can mentor them into the writing experience!


Would you please post a review on Apple Podcasts for us?
Help a homeschooler like you find more joy in the journey. Thanks!


Brave Writer Podcast

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Friday Freewrite: Shopping in the Wild

Friday Freewrite Shopping in the wild

Narrate a shopping trip as though you’re on an expedition into a wild jungle and describe the products placed in the cart like they are rare plants and animals.

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

Tags: Writing prompts
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Movie Wednesday: Lagaan

Movie Wednesday Lagaan

by Amy Frantz, Brave Writer alum

Once upon a time in India, in the village of Champaner, there is a drought making it impossible for the villagers to pay the British taxes that have been put on them. When the corrupt Captain Russell raises the taxes even further, Bhuvan, an inhabitant of Champaner, accepts the crooked captain’s challenge to a game of cricket. If the captain wins, the villagers must pay triple the regular taxes. But if Bhuvan and the village win, they will be exempt from taxes for the next three years. Bhuvan must unite his village if they will have any hope of learning the game and lifting the unfair tax.


[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!]


Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India is a 2001 Academy Award nominated Bollywood musical sports-drama film set in colonial India during the Victorian period. The film stars Aamir Khan, who also produced the film, alongside Gracy Singh and Rachelle Shelley.

The title, Lagaan, translates to “taxation,” and among the film’s many themes, including the importance of communal unity and support, Lagaan explores some of the injustices brought about by colonial oppression. Specifically, unfair taxation by the occupying forces.

Colonialism is a policy where a country is occupied, politically taken over by another country, and exploited often for its natural resources and labor. We see this in the film as Captain Russell attempts to exploit the labor of the Champaner villagers, necessitating Bhuvan to make a stand against him.

Lagaan was filmed on location near Bhuj. It was difficult for the film crew to find a location to shoot because they needed a place where it had not rained in some time. The film features beautiful costumes, sweeping music, a lavish film style, and uplifting messages about teamwork, love, and overcoming obstacles.

Discussion Questions

  • Do you have a favorite musical number from the film? Which one and why?
  • Many blockbusters of western cinema clock in around two or two and a half hours. Lagaan is nearly four hours long. Did you find that the length allowed the film to explore its themes more deeply or did you find the pacing slow?
  • A love triangle in stories is when three people have romantic feelings for each other. Lagaan includes a love triangle between Bhuvan, Gauri, and Elizabeth. Were you rooting for one of the girls to prevail in her affections? Were you happy with how the triangle resolved? Explain your answers.
  • In the film, the character of Lakha spies on Bhuvan for Captain Russell. When the villagers discover his betrayal, they want retribution but Bhuvan decides to give Lakha another chance after Lakha sincerely apologizes. Would you have made the same choice as Bhuvan? Why or why not?

Additional Resources

Lagaan is streaming on Netflix

Lagaan soundtrack


Amy Frantz is a Brave Writer alum. When not over-analyzing Star Wars, in her spare time you will find her belting musical numbers.


Movie Discussion Club

Tags: Diversity
Posted in Diverse Books and Movies, Wednesday Movies | Comments Off on Movie Wednesday: Lagaan

2018 Poetry Teatime Photo Contest & Book Drive!

2018 Poetry Teatime Photo Contest and Book Drive

We are excited to announce the 2018 Poetry Teatime Photo Contest! Plus we’re also hosting a special Book Drive (see details below).


UPDATE: Look who won the Poetry Teatime Photo Contest!


Poetry Teatime Photo Contest

This month, we invite all Poetry Teatime enthusiasts to take pictures of your family’s teatime and enter our contest for the chance to win exciting tea and poetry-themed prizes! We are also introducing our first-ever book drive to help children in need celebrate Poetry Teatime.

How to Enter

The process is simple:

  • enjoy a Poetry Teatime with your family,
  • photograph it,
  • and write a brief summary of what you did.

Submit all entries by September 30, 2018! The Grand Prize winner will be announced October 2, 2018.

Prizes

Everyone who enters receives our Poetry Books: Ideas for Every Age pdf! Includes book recommendations for every age group: 3-7, 8-13, and 14-up!

Poetry Book Ideas for Every Age

GRAND PRIZE!

One winner will receive

  • Poetry Teatime Companion
  • Poetry books by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong
  • Green Tea

If the winner lives outside of the U.S. then she or he will receive a $50 Amazon gift certificate instead.


Poetry Teatime Book Drive

We are thrilled to announce a chance to share the joy of Poetry Teatime with children in need through the Poetry Teatime Book Drive. We invite you to support the St. Aloysius program by donating a poetry book. You can find out all about the drive and how to donate here.

Please note that donating to the book drive will not in any way affect your entry to the Poetry Teatime Photo Contest.


Poetry Teatime

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