You wake to discover that your toys are now GIGANTIC! Describe what that’s like.
New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.
Natural Stages of Writing: Examples
Brave Writer is organized according to Natural Stages of Growth in Writing. Would you like to see student examples for each of the stages? Here they are!
Beginning Writers: Jot It Down!
Ages 5-8
Learn more about the Jot It Down! stage.
Growing Writers: Partnership Writing
Ages 9-10
- Who, What, Where, When, and Why Project
- Crossword Writing Activity
- Cinderella Lap Book
- Keen Observation
- Movie Inspired
Learn more about the Partnership Writing stage.
Middle School Writers: Faltering Ownership
Ages 11-12
Learn more about the Faltering Ownership stage.
High School Writers/College Prep
Ages 13-18
Learn more about the High School/College Prep stage (parts one, two, and three).
Free Radicals
Remember, your child is an independent being from you.
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be a mother who’d understand my child as well as I wished to be understood by my parents. Enneagram 4 here, so you understand the depth of that craving.
When I eventually had my own kids, it became inescapably true that I could never know them as well as they might wish to be known. The fact is: these little beings are “free radicals”—a bit like their chemical counterparts.
Here’s the definition of a free radical: “A type of unstable molecule, free radicals can build up in cells and cause damage to other molecules, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins.”
Let me rewrite that for small humans (aka free radicals): “A type of unstable being, free radicals can build up in families and cause damage to the other members, such as siblings, parents, and even pets.”
Yeah, I’d say that is a PERFECT description of the way in which kids are independent beings.
What does this mean?
The good news: they are delightful! Kids repeatedly astonish and entertain us with their antics and self-expression. Thank goodness they aren’t adults in miniature clothes. Their energy is life-giving to a family.
The bad news: you can’t heal your child self by being to your child what you always wished you’d had as a child. That ship has sailed. Your new child deserves to be known as a unique individual whose needs are not obvious to you and whose ideas are not identical with yours.
Chemical free radicals stimulate important physiological processes, like helping the immune system function properly. So when your child catches you off guard, that’s the moment to lean in with curiosity. Who is this free radical in my presence? What new experience am I about to have thanks to this little being who wants to stimulate new psychological processes in the family?
Say to yourself: “I’m here for it!”
This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebravewriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!
Friday Freewrite: Reckless
You’re on the playground with a group of kids when suddenly a child starts recklessly pedaling a tricycle toward others, almost hitting them. What happens next?
New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.
The Power of Poetry
Poetry can help shift the relationship around words. That’s the power of poetry!
We’ve curated some of our favorite poetry resources and activities so you can save some time and get to the fun part — celebrating National Poetry Month in your homeschool!
Poetry Teatime
- Grab the free Quick Start Guide
- See How to Include Poetry Teatime in Your Family
- Find poetry books for teatime
- Learn How to Read Poetry Aloud
- Throw your own Poetry Teatime
- See the master list of Themed Teatimes
- Explore All About Teacups
Fun and Games
Have some fun with these spins on “writing” poetry
- Simple found poetry
- Found poems with an upcycled book (if you’re artistically inclined!)
Use games to play with poetry and words
- Paint Chip Poetry
- Metaphor Dice
- Haikubes
- Magnetic poetry (try out their free online version)
Throw a poetry party
- It’s party school! Throw a poetry teatime party with friends and/or extended family. (Psst…you have permission to party!)
Deep Dive: Poetry Books and Classes
Quill (ages 5-7): Poetry
Arrow books (ages 11-12)
Boomerang books (ages 13-14)
Master Classes (for Brave Learner Home members)
Online Classes
One-Day Celebrations
Crunched for time? We understand! Here are some one-day ideas worth squeezing in:
- Have one poetry teatime. Keep it simple. It still counts!
- Attend a local poetry reading or poetry slam
- Run by the bakery and have fun with Poet in a Cupcake Day
- Explore the Poetry’s Foundation Learning Lab
- Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day
- Our dear friend Amy Ludwig VanDerwater has a new book, If This Bird Had Pockets, celebrating Poem in Your Pocket Day. Check out her book and be sure to grab her educator’s guide and text set downloads under “For Teachers.”
