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[Podcast #218] Reupping Your Homeschool Commitment

Brave Writer Podcast

The new year brings a perfect opportunity to refresh and re-energize our homeschooling practices. It’s not just about sticking to what has worked in the past; it’s about bringing in new ideas and approaches.

On today’s Brave Writer podcast, we encourage parents to experiment with different educational styles and activities. From introducing treasure hunts to varying learning methods with workbooks or games, these changes can rejuvenate your homeschooling experience and spark new interest in your children.

Show Notes

Replacing the Tough Stuff

One transformative approach is replacing a disliked subject with an elective for a month. Be it handicrafts, bird watching, coding, or music, these electives are not just hobbies but vital educational experiences. They integrate subjects like math and writing into fun and engaging activities, making learning a joyous journey.

Incorporating Creativity and Care

Acting and theater games are more than just fun activities. They are powerful tools for building confidence, storytelling skills, and cooperation among children. We also suggest changing your learning environment, like rearranging furniture, to create a new, dynamic space. This simple act can stimulate engagement and curiosity, making learning more effective and enjoyable.

Maintaining effective homeschooling methods while adding new layers, such as cross-curricular activities or nature walks, can significantly enhance the learning experience. These practices not only cater to the educational needs of children but also align with their natural curiosities and interests.

As parents, your curiosity and interests are vital in shaping your homeschool. When you indulge in your passions and include your children in the process, it creates a more enriching and comprehensive learning environment.

Lastly, never underestimate the power of self-care.

A rested and curious parent is the cornerstone of a successful homeschool. Prioritize good nutrition, exercise, and sleep, and remember the importance of flexibility. Integrating learning into daily life, adapting to your family’s needs and interests, is what makes homeschooling a unique and fulfilling journey.

In summary, revitalizing your homeschool requires a balance of maintaining what works and being open to new ideas and methods. It’s about:

  • embracing change,
  • nurturing curiosity,
  • and ensuring that both you and your children find joy in the learning process.

Remember, every new approach, every elective, every game is an opportunity to discover and learn something new.

Resources

  • Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention!
  • Curious about Brave Writer but not quite sure what it’s all about? Join our free 7-Day Writing Blitz to transform your writing program in just one week!
  • Want to give your kid the best chance at learning a musical instrument but don’t know where to start? Join Hoffman Academy to get award-winning piano lessons online at hoffmanacademy.com and use discount code LEARN for 10% off!
  • Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
  • Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
  • Want help getting started with Brave Writer? Go to bravewriter.com/getting-started

Connect with Julie

  • Website: bravewriter.com
  • Instagram: @juliebravewriter
  • Threads: @juliebravewriter
  • Twitter: @bravewriter
  • Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa

  • Website: melissawiley.com
  • Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
  • Instagram: @melissawileybooks
  • Twitter: @melissawiley
  • Facebook: facebook.com/authorMelissaWiley

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #218] Reupping Your Homeschool Commitment

[Podcast] 2024: The Complete List

Brave Writer Podcast

Did you miss a 2024 episode of the Brave Writer Podcast? Did you want to listen to an episode again?

Not to worry!

Here are all the episodes of the podcast aired in 2024 in one convenient place so that you can listen (or re-listen) to them whenever you want.

Show Notes are included!

And bookmark this page! Episodes will be added as they become available.


2024 Podcasts

  • [Ep. 218] Reupping Your Homeschool Commitment
  • [Ep. 219] The 4th R: Relationship
  • [Ep. 220] Becoming a Professional Writer with Melissa Wiley
  • [Ep. 221] Rethinking Your Beliefs with Josh Harris
  • [Ep. 222] Becoming a Critical Thinker with Julie Bogart
  • [Ep. 223] Lessons from Leaving a Cult with Sarah Edmondson and Nippy Ames
  • [Ep. 224] A School Principal Chooses Homeschooling: An Interview with Mandy Davis
  • [Ep. 225] Homeschooling with Babies & Toddlers in Tow
  • [Ep. 226] The Internet and Parenthood with Jill Smokler of She’s Got Issues
  • [Ep. 227] The Learning Game with Ana Lorena Fábrega 
  • [Ep. 228] Self-Compassion with Dr. Diana Hill
  • [Ep. 229] Brave Writer Student to Professional Author: Millie Florence
  • [Ep. 230] An Invitation to Poetry Teatime
  • [Ep. 231] Artistic Homeschooling with Hana of Pepper and Pine
  • [Ep. 232] A Deep Dive into AI with Dr. Kelly Cohen
  • [Ep. 233] Endgame Tips to Finish the Year Strong
  • [Ep. 234] Unfrazzling the Frazzled Homeschooling Mom
  • [Ep. 235] Why Moms Make the Best Advocates with Shannon Watts
  • [Ep. 236] Happy Book Birthday: Becoming a Critical Thinker!
  • [Ep. 237] 2024-2025 Book Reveal Talk! with Dawn Smith
  • [Ep. 238] Thinking Differently About Learning with Maren and Angela
  • [Ep. 239] Tools to Buy Instead of Curriculum
  • [Ep. 240] Struggling with Math? An Interview with Pat Murray of CTC Math
  • [Ep. 241] The Parenting Map with Dr. Shefali
  • [Ep 242] Beginning Writers: Natural Stages of Growth in Writing #1
  • [Ep. 243] Emerging Writers: Natural Stages of Growth in Writing #2
  • [Ep. 244] Middle School Writers: Natural Stages of Growth in Writing #3
  • [Ep. 245] High School Writers: Natural Stages of Growth in Writing #4
  • [Ep. 246] Living Through Books with Lindsay Smith
  • [Ep. 247] 2024 Summer Games Fever
  • [Ep. 248] How to Find Homeschooling Community
  • [Ep. 249] Escaping Fundamentalism with Tia Levings
  • [Ep. 250] Reading Aloud: Why Teach Writing Mechanics with Living Literature?
  • [Ep. 251] The Joy of Slow with Leslie Martino
  • [Ep. 252] The GPS of Writing: Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling
  • [Ep. 253] Literary Analysis & Writer’s Craft
  • [Ep. 254] Book Parties!
  • [Ep. 255] Brave Writers Thriving in College
  • [Ep. 256] Welcome Back Julie! Plus Lessons from Spain
  • [Ep. 257] The Right to Play: An Interview with Eloise Rickman
  • [Ep. 258] Turning Around a Day Gone Wrong
  • [Ep. 259] The Power of Practice
  • [Ep. 260] Nature Study: Notebooks and Beyond
  • [Ep. 261] How to Care for a Caregiving Friend
  • [Ep. 262] Teaching Through Play
  • [Ep. 263] Appreciating Art with Bianca Bosker
  • [Ep. 264] Rabbit Trails and Rabbit Holes
  • [Ep. 265] Celebrating Book Series with Dawn Smith
  • [Ep. 266] Julie’s Back!
  • [Ep. 267] Natural Learning and the Brain

Tune in to the Brave Writer podcast on Apple Podcasts (or your app of choice)
and also here on the Brave Writer blog.


Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcast Season Recaps | Comments Off on [Podcast] 2024: The Complete List

No More “Posed” Writing

Brave Writer

Would you rather believe that stiff, lifeless prose that matches a format, achieved through tears, tantrums, and trauma will result in better writing than tapping into your child’s quirky, insightful, natural personality?

I have a million photos of my kids. My 5 are forever hoisting one big kid sideways in celebration of a life event.

I love them, even when the faces are blurry.

But I have one well-posed photo that we all hate. The photo shows smiling faces. The family is arranged just so. And it’s lifeless. Cringe.

Something Worth Saying

When I think about writing that I love reading, it has vibrancy and surprise.

Can you imagine what would happen if you believed your child had something worth saying and that your only job is to capture it like a candid photograph—a snapshot of their inner life, at this moment in time?

Did you realize that the writing your child does (from their tender heart or their silly sense of humor or their fact-packed mind) IS the snapshot of their person that will preserve who they are for you even better than silly photographs and family portraits?

So if you’re tired of format-driven writing and tears and tantrums, unlock the beautiful minds of your children instead.

No more “posed” writing.

Time for powerful writing!


Brave Learner Home

Posted in Homeschool Advice, Writing about Writing | Comments Off on No More “Posed” Writing

Mechanics & Literature: January 2024

Brave Writer

January’s Dart, Arrow, and Boomerang selections are about characters who encounter adventures and challenges of different shapes and sizes. From heartwarming storylines to white-knuckle adventure, these page-turners are an entertaining way to explore:

  • writing,
  • mechanics,
  • and literary devices with the entire family!

Sow seeds of wonder and curiosity with this month’s Quill—On the Farm! Go on a hunt for noisy nouns, discover who’s who on a farm, and explore eggsellent egg activities with us!


Brave Writer Quill
Quill (ages 5-7)

On the Farm

Cultivate your young child’s curiosity with this month’s issue of the Quill!

In the Brave Writer Book Shop, you’ll find books about farmyard fun that we adore! These are not required (you can use any books about these topics that you have in your stacks or discover at your library), but we find it’s helpful to have a list to get you started.

In this Quill, we’ll:

  • notice a number of nifty nouns;
  • wonder who, what, why, where, when, and how;
  • interview an animal and practice some mooo-ter skills;
  • have an eggciting time with dots, lines, and curves;
  • crow with glee over counting games;
  • and we’ll cock-a-doodle-do a bit of skip counting!

Get the Quill.


Brave Writer Dart
Dart (ages 8-10)

Just Beyond the Very Far North by Dan Bar-El

Enjoy an adventure with Duane the polar bear and his arctic friends in this charming sequel to The Very, Very Far North (Note: No need to read the first book before jumping into this Arctic adventure, but if you want to, we have a Dart for that one too!).

This month’s literary device focuses on Personification and Anthropomorphism. We’ll also:

  • tuck dialogue between quotation marks;
  • plop capital letters into place in proper nouns and sentence starters;
  • fall for figurative language;
  • ponder prepositions;
  • enjoy a bit of juxtapositioning;
  • discover characterization through dialogue; and so much more! 

Purchase the book.

Get the Dart.


Brave Writer Arrow
Arrow (ages 11-12)

Honestly Elliott by Gillian McDunn

Meet Elliott, a big-hearted kid, who is doing his best!

January’s literary device is First-Person Narration. We’ll also: 

  • use similes to make comparisons as smooth as butter;
  • sneak up on the superscripts that lead toward footnotes;
  • find out why figurative language is a writing superpower;
  • dish out dialogue punctuation;
  • sample sentences that are interrogative and declarative;
  • ponder pronouns; and so much more! 

Purchase the book.

Get the Arrow.


Brave Writer Boomerang
Boomerang (ages 13-14)

The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

This Victorian classic is a touchstone in the science fiction canon—Martians and Mars, oh my!

In this Boomerang, we’ll:

  • ponder point of view; 
  • get inside editions; 
  • get behind the wheel of plot-driven versus character-driven stories;
  • situate this book in context; 
  • appreciate how science fiction can use realism;
  • discover descriptive writing; and so much more.

Purchase the book.

Get the Boomerang.


For ages 15-18, check out the Slingshot.


Brave Writer

Posted in Arrow, Boomerang, BW products, Language Arts | Comments Off on Mechanics & Literature: January 2024

[Podcast #217] Raising Kind Humans with Katie Doughty

Brave Writer Podcast

In the journey of nurturing the next generation, the importance of instilling kindness and empathy in children cannot be overstated. The concept of teaching kindness extends far beyond mere politeness; it’s about shaping compassionate, empathetic individuals who can positively impact their communities.

Katie Doughty
Katie Doughty

Katie Doughty, a passionate advocate for childhood empathy and the founder of Team Kind Humans, has been instrumental in highlighting the importance of this mission along with her podcast, Raising Kind Humans. Katie joins us today on the Brave Writer podcast.

Show Notes

Community Service: A Pathway to Empathy

Introducing children to community service at an early age is a powerful method to cultivate empathy. Through her work with Team Kind Humans, Katie demonstrates how involvement in projects that address real-world issues can cultivate empathy in children. By involving them in projects that address real-world issues, like aiding the homeless or supporting health causes, children learn to apply their creativity and compassion to solve problems. Such experiences broaden their understanding of the world and their role in it.

The Role of Parents in Modeling Kindness

As primary influencers, parents have a profound impact on their children’s development of kindness. By actively participating in community service and demonstrating generosity, parents not only bond with their children but also exemplify the values of empathy and compassion. These shared experiences are invaluable in instilling a lifelong commitment to helping others.

Literature and Play in Developing Empathy

Children’s literature is a rich resource for teaching empathy. Stories allow children to explore different perspectives and emotions, fostering an understanding of diverse experiences. Similarly, pretend play and role-playing are crucial in developing empathy, especially among young children, helping them grasp the nuances of human emotions and relationships.

Active Learning: A Holistic Approach

Active learning methods, such as integrating movement with educational activities, play a significant role in child development. Programs that combine physical activity with character development and creative expression offer a well-rounded approach to learning. These methods encourage not just intellectual growth but also social and emotional development.

Empathy Building through Family Activities

Engaging in family activities centered around kindness and community service strengthens familial bonds and reinforces the values of empathy and compassion. Such activities, whether simple acts of kindness within the community or discussions about empathetic behavior, should be accessible and enjoyable for children, fostering a natural inclination towards helping others.

Cultivating kindness and empathy in children is a critical aspect of their overall development. It equips them with the emotional intelligence to navigate complex social environments and fosters a sense of responsibility towards their communities. By embracing practices that encourage empathy, such as community service, parental modeling, storytelling, and active learning, we lay the groundwork for a more compassionate and empathetic society. This commitment to nurturing kindness in children not only enriches their lives but also has the potential to create a ripple effect, contributing to a kinder, more understanding world.

Resources

  • Listen to Katie’s podcast, Raising Kind Humans
  • Website: teamkindhumans.com
  • Instagram: @katie_doughty
  • Threads: @katie_doughty
  • Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention!
  • Want a break from all the school planning you did this Fall? Sign up for online classes with Brave Writer and know your classes will be there when you’re ready. Visit bravewriter.com/online-classes to learn more!
  • Want to give your kid the best chance at learning a musical instrument but don’t know where to start? Join Hoffman Academy to get award-winning piano lessons online at hoffmanacademy.com and use discount code LEARN for 10% off!
  • Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
  • Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
  • Want help getting started with Brave Writer? Go to bravewriter.com/getting-started
  • Sign up for the Brave Writer newsletter to learn about all of the special offers we’re doing in 2022 and you’ll get a free seven-day Writing Blitz guide just for signing up: https://go.bravewriter.com/writing-blitz

Connect with Julie

  • Website: bravewriter.com
  • Instagram: @juliebravewriter
  • Threads: @juliebravewriter
  • Twitter: @bravewriter
  • Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Connect with Melissa

  • Website: melissawiley.com
  • Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
  • Instagram: @melissawileybooks
  • Twitter: @melissawiley
  • Facebook: facebook.com/authorMelissaWiley

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #217] Raising Kind Humans with Katie Doughty

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