Friday Freewrite: Go Away

Friday Freewrite

Today’s freewriting prompt:

Have you heard the nursery rhyme: “Rain, rain go away. Come again another day”? Replace “rain” with a different word. Explain why you chose it.

New to Freewriting?

Freewriting is that wonderful key that unlocks the writer within. It’s the vehicle by which we trick our inner selves into divesting the words and ideas that we want to share but are afraid won’t come out right on paper if we do. So, read the freewriting prompt, set the timer for 5-10 minutes then write whatever comes to mind. Just keep the pencil moving!

Need more help? Check out our free online guide.

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[Podcast #248] How to Find Homeschooling Community

Brave Writer Podcast Homeschooling Community

Homeschooling can be isolating, but it shouldn’t be and it doesn’t have to be. In fact, as a homeschooling family, you have unique opportunities to meaningfully connect with all kinds of folks. In this podcast episode, we discuss how to find community as homeschoolers and why it is so important.

We discuss:

  • connecting to your local homeschooler advocacy organization,
  • using the internet to find like-minded homeschoolers (and even non-like minded homeschoolers),
  • and coming up with ways to integrate non-homeschoolers into your fun learning experiences.

We also dive into why community is important. Yes, social media can show you some reels of cool project ideas, but ongoing conversations and relationships drive deeper growth. That’s why we created Brave Learner Home. We discuss the Braver Learner Home features and invite you to join!

Show Notes

What Connections to Explore

As a homeschooler, you need to be proactive about making connections with others. 

First, we suggest getting in touch with your state homeschool advocacy organization—they can help you figure out your state’s legal requirements around homeschooling and let you know what resources are available.

Second, use the internet and social media to find local homeschool meet-ups. If there aren’t any, start your own! Don’t worry, you can start small, like a one-day meet-up at the park. 

Third, connect with local business owners who will likely be happy to offer you and your kids fun activities during the day when business is typically slow. Group discounts can be a great incentive for homeschool families to get together!

Fourth, don’t forget about the non-homeschoolers. There are plenty of parents and kids who would love to come to a Dart party or poetry teatime. 

Brave Learner Home

What originally started as a resource library for homeschool parents has now evolved into an online community. Brave Learner Home has:

  • thriving discussion boards,
  • a map where you can find homeschoolers close to you,
  • and lots of webinars and live events.

You can learn from others, developing your teaching and parenting philosophy.

Social media is great, but it doesn’t fulfill all the important aspects of community. We hope you will join us at Brave Learner Home and prioritize finding your community.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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The Hardest Part of Homeschooling

Brave Writer

Education is not a “right or wrong way” proposition. Your drive to not make mistakes will ruin homeschooling for you. It’s totally fine to change your mind regularly about how you create learning opportunities for your kids! And you will—because you’re learning and growing too. Don’t wreck your homeschool trying to solve it. Get curious. Be brave. Try try again.

I met a mom at the National Association of Women’s Business Owners (NAWBO) conference. She’s interested in home education and asked an amazing question: “What was the hardest part of homeschooling?”

I told her it was not the long hours or the endless needs of my kids. What dogs most of us is the worry that there’s a better method, the one that will bring a quality education that our kids will love every day—no complaints, no mistakes.

Not Knowing

Learning to tolerate that feeling of “not knowing” how it will all turn out is the key to making it a good long while.

I told her that you know you’re getting the hang of it when you stop worrying so much about doing it right and lean into simply doing it.

Homeschooling is a grand experiment that allows us to:

  • adapt,
  • make changes,
  • and pivot when needed.

Because of that, sometimes we live with too much uncertainty that feels unnerving.

Remember, home education is a process not a destination. It’s unpredictable and that’s both its beauty and its biggest challenge.

This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebravewriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!

Brave Learner Home

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Friday Freewrite: Two Books

Friday Freewrite

Today’s freewriting prompt:

Think of a book you really like then think of a book you really dislike. Now imagine those two books are left alone together on a table. Write their conversation.

New to Freewriting?

Freewriting is that wonderful key that unlocks the writer within. It’s the vehicle by which we trick our inner selves into divesting the words and ideas that we want to share but are afraid won’t come out right on paper if we do. So, read the freewriting prompt, set the timer for 5-10 minutes then write whatever comes to mind. Just keep the pencil moving!

Need more help? Check out our free online guide.

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[Podcast #247] 2024 Summer Games Fever with Julie Bogart

Brave Writer Podcast

If you aren’t already excited about the Summer Olympics, this podcast episode is going to get you there. Julie’s passion for The Games is contagious. She shares some of her favorite Olympic memories as well as how she integrated the events into her kids’ learning.

Geography, physics, pageantry, dedication, loss—the Olympics and Paralympics have it all. Throw in some globes, homemade medals, and poetry, and for almost three weeks your home will be a hub of multi-disciplinary fandom.

Go to the Brave Writer website and download the free Summer Games Guide today!

Show Notes

Life Lessons 

Beyond the academic lessons that the Olympics can provide, it can also be a fruitful time for non-academic lessons. For example, the Paralympics teach overcoming obstacles and the importance of anti-ableism. Fans and athletes across the Paralympics and Olympics learn how to metabolize loss and appreciate their competitors. When kids get to watch all different types of bodies succeed, they can be more confident in their own unique bodies.

Creating Memories

The Olympics are also just a fun time to create family memories. All-day coverage leads to endless big, juicy conversations. Backyard Olympic games and medal ceremonies are a hoot. And no member of the family is too young or too old to cheer hard for whichever athlete or sport they just discovered.

From our Brave Writer family to yours—Happy Olympics!

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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