Author Archive

The Brave Writer Lifestyle: How It Worked with My Kids

How Brave Writer Lifestyle Worked with My Kids

Walk down memory lane with me and see how we practiced the Brave Writer Lifestyle in my home!

My best memories are from all the times I went off-script in home education. I followed the rabbit trails, I followed my children’s leads, and I stayed alert to great ideas from unconventional sources. I used Family Fun magazine, for instance, as a resource for educational ideas far more frequently than any traditional curriculum. Immersive experiences created the kind of education I always wanted my children to have.

In the broadcast below, I share how I did what I did with my kids and I even showcase some of their writing!

Practices Covered

  • Poetry Teatimes
  • Read Alouds
  • Copywork/Dictation
  • Art Appreciation
  • Shakespeare
  • Movies/TV
  • Nature Journaling
  • Language Games
  • Friday Freewrite
  • One on One Time
  • Writing Projects
  • Putting Your Child in the Driver’s Seat
  • Literary Elements

BONUS TIP: Party School!

Find out more about Party School here!

Posted in Brave Writer Lifestyle, Julie's Life, Periscopes, Video of Julie | Comments Off on The Brave Writer Lifestyle: How It Worked with My Kids

Mathematics & Poetry for All

Mathematics and Poetry Online Workshop

For years, I’ve received emails and phone calls with a common request:

Where is the Brave Writer for math?

Today, I can finally give them an answer! Natural Math is a program designed by a passionate home educating mathematician: Maria Droujkova. She immerses kids in the properties of math, helps them develop a “math-rich lifestyle” (sound familiar!?), and then releases them to become math proficients!

Maria and I are teaming up to introduce you to her strategies and to use poetry to showcase what your kids learn. We’re holding a two part webinar for 50 lucky families. Kids are welcome and expected to participate!

Mathematics & Poetry for All

  • What: An online workshop where participants learn to write math-rich poems.
  • Why: Learn practical techniques for building beautiful word patterns that explore mathematical patterns.
  • Who: 50 parents, teachers, group leaders, and their children (ages 5 and up), with Dr. Maria Droujkova and Shelley Nash of Natural Math and Julie Bogart of Brave Writer as organizers.
  • When: Live meetings November 2nd and 9th at 4:00 PM EST (New York).
  • Where: Online video-talk software Zoom (similar to Skype).
  • Price: Registration is $49. Work-trade stipends are available upon request.
  • Supplies: Paper, markers, scissors, glue, tape, ideas.

Sign up here …and do it soon! It’s already filling fast!

Posted in Homeschool Advice, Webinars | Comments Off on Mathematics & Poetry for All

With The Homeschool Sisters this Week

Brave Writer with The Homeschool Sisters

Fun week with The Homeschool Sisters! Cait and Kara:

Meet Kara and Caitlin, The Homeschool Sisters!

The Homeschool Sisters Kara
Kara

The Homeschool Sisters Cait
Cait

These two spunky, creative homeschooling moms have teamed up to provide companionship on the journey of home education. I would have obsessed over their podcast had it been around when I was homeschooling.

This week, I’m on their show! We had a great time talking about the following topics:

  • What it means to raise awesome adults
  • How to be one yourself
  • Reframing how we understand video gaming
  • The one best piece of advice I would give young homeschoolers
  • And each of us shared one current joy in our lives

Join us for a great conversation!

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on With The Homeschool Sisters this Week

Stuff Every Parent Needs to Know about Reading

Reading: Stuff Every Parent Needs to Know

Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or duty.
It should be offered to them as a precious gift.
—Kate DiCamillo

In the recorded broadcast below we look at reading in all its facets:

  • Learning to read
  • Reading aloud
  • Reading poetry
  • How reading translates to good writing
  • Motivating reluctant readers
  • High school reading
  • Reading for pleasure and reading for academics

Want more? Enjoy these Brave Writer blog posts:

Reading Aloud Matters

When Kids have Trouble Reading

5 Ways to Encourage Reading

Posted in Periscopes, Reading, Video of Julie | Comments Off on Stuff Every Parent Needs to Know about Reading

Partnership Home Education: Finding Friends for You

Partnership Homeschooling: Finding Friends
Image taken at the 2016 Brave Writer Retreat by Alli Parfenov

Let’s find friends for you!

Homeschooling is much easier when you do it with a friend. Trouble is, sometimes it’s tough to find the right fit. How can you cultivate a homeschool community right in your neck of the woods that meets your need for friendship, support, and practice? What do you do if the only homeschoolers around have very different belief systems or homeschool philosophies?

And what about co-ops? How can you find or start one that allows you to be the you that YOU are?

Let’s talk about it. Grab a cup of tea, put your feet up, and watch the video below.

Find Support and Community in The Homeschool Alliance

Posted in On Being a Mother | Comments Off on Partnership Home Education: Finding Friends for You