It All Fits Together

Brave Writer

We always think we know who our kids are. Then they go do something we could never have imagined.

One day we turn around and realize that they are who they always were and we see how it all fits together. At least that’s how it appears to me on this side of it.

Thought Exercise

Identify one way you’re different than your parents expected, but that also makes sense of who you’ve always been. I think it would be fun to think about that.

My parents thought I would for sure be an actress! Maybe I’d write a little too. Full circle: the internet (didn’t even exist back then) gave me the chance to do both on my terms!

So stay curious.

Trust the process.

You’ve got this!

This post was originally shared on Instagram.
Watch the accompanying reel for more.

Brave Learner Home

Posted in Homeschool Advice | Comments Off on It All Fits Together

Brave Learning: Do Students Need to Study Literature?

Brave Learning

Recently on Brave Learning…

Do Students Need to Study Literature?

And if so, how do we make it as painless as possible?

The study and analysis of literature is intended to give students a lens into the ideas and stories that shape society (present and past) as well as to expose them to the complexity of human development, through time.

All sorts of fiction genres create scaffolding for:

  • philosophies,
  • ideologies,
  • the politics of relationships,
  • the exploration of the logical end of imagined scenarios,
  • the psychology behind particular actions and events, and more.

Literature also exposes students to uses of language not available in nonfiction, and creates a series of cultural touchstones for shared understanding that transcend mere fact.

In short, literature provides an avenue of expanded imagination and language for the sake of both appreciating beauty and human depths, while sharing the experience with other readers (creating a kind of connection and community through shared story). We consider the reading of literature to be one of the ways we create societal cohesion! But do students HAVE to study it? [More]

Subscribe to Brave Learning on Substack where we chat, discuss, problem-solve, and create together. Here’s what you can expect: weekly themed content, freewriting prompts, and a podcast for kiddos called Monday Morning Meeting (first 6 are free)! 

Brave Learning with Julie Bogart on Substack

Posted in Brave Learning on Substack | Comments Off on Brave Learning: Do Students Need to Study Literature?

[Podcast #293] Julie Changes Her Mind About AI

Brave Writer Podcast

Do we still need human storytellers in an age where technology can generate stories and essays with a click? This Brave Writer podcast episode explores why nothing can replace the warmth and connection that come from sharing stories aloud as a family.

We talk about:

  • the generational bonds formed through storytelling,
  • the irreplaceable value of reading aloud,
  • and how these practices create both readers and resilient human beings.

We also reflect on our evolving feelings about artificial intelligence—how it can be both fascinating and unsettling—and why human relationships and creative self-expression must remain at the heart of education.

Show Notes

Our world is changing rapidly, especially when it comes to how we encounter stories, creativity, and even the written word. As new tools like artificial intelligence make their way into our lives, it’s easy to wonder: do we still need human storytellers? At Brave Writer, we’ve seen firsthand that nothing can replace the unique, connective power of sharing stories and reading aloud together as a family.

The Power of Family Storytelling

Gathering together to share stories—whether around a campfire or at bedtime—builds lasting bonds between family members. We’ve watched children, even as young as five, sit spellbound as parents, grandparents, and siblings take turns spinning tales. These moments don’t just entertain; they shape who our children become. When families create a culture of storytelling, they’re laying the foundation for a lifelong love of:

  • reading,
  • writing,
  • and imaginative thinking.

Storytelling is far more than a way to pass time. It is a practice that stretches back to the earliest days of human history, shaping moral imagination and cultural identity. Through storytelling, we invite our children into a larger conversation—one where their voices matter, and where the family story grows richer with every contribution.

Reading Aloud: The Heartbeat of Connection

In our experience, reading aloud is at the core of meaningful family life. It’s a tradition that predates even our own homeschooling journeys. Some of us began by reading childhood favorites to our spouses, then carried that ritual forward with our kids—long after they could read on their own. Even teenagers find themselves drifting back to listen when a beloved book is being read in the hallway.

Reading aloud bridges generations, brings comfort, and cultivates curiosity. It’s not just an educational strategy—it’s a way to invite everyone, from toddlers to teens, into a shared literary world. This daily routine builds not only readers but human beings who feel connected, valued, and seen.

The Challenge of AI in Education and Creativity

With the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, especially large language models, we’re seeing a profound shift in the landscape of writing and art. Initially, some of us were technological optimists, eager to explore the potential of these tools. But over time, our optimism has grown more cautious as we’ve watched AI-generated content replace the creative labor of real people, sometimes without credit or consent.

We’re increasingly concerned that AI—especially when used uncritically in education—might erode both the motivation to create original work and the vital human relationships at the core of learning. When students outsource their self-expression to a machine, or when families rely on generic content instead of their own stories, something irreplaceable is lost.

The Irreplaceable Value of Human Connection

No algorithm can replicate the magic of a parent reading to a child, the warmth of a shared laugh, or the spontaneous creativity that bubbles up during a family storytelling night. Even as technology advances, we believe it’s essential to keep these human traditions alive. It’s in these moments of connection, not automation, that true learning and growth take place.

So as the world races forward, let’s remember to slow down and savor the irreplaceable gift of telling our own stories, in our own voices, to the people we love most.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #293] Julie Changes Her Mind About AI

An Idyllic Childhood

Brave Writer

I’m thinking a lot about the craving to provide an idyllic childhood—the notion that we can somehow avoid the slings and arrows of this life on behalf of our children. We:

  • picture them happily tramping through mud in a forest.
  • imagine them playing without prompting, using hand crafts and art supplies.
  • hope they care more about reading a book than watching TV.
  • dream of contentment and creativity, rather than restlessness and boredom.
  • want natural learning (that doesn’t require workbooks!) that the child values.

To create a childhood that includes nature, the arts, crafts, reading, and an appetite to learn requires an involved parent or adult. Kids can’t shop for craft supplies. They can’t walk in the woods alone (usually). They don’t have books unless someone takes them to the library. They aren’t aware of all they could learn unless they are exposed to topics unfamiliar.

How do they get these? Some person—someone—has to participate with them on some level.

Lately, the conversation I am having with parents goes something like this:

I would love my child to have that homeschool life you are describing. But I don’t think I can do it. I don’t the have (time, money, patience, creativity) to do it myself!

We all want things for our kids but then we are timid to become the learners we envision our children becoming!

To homeschool means that you will:

  • tramp through the mud in a forest with your children
  • play with your children without prompting, pulling out art supplies and craft materials, and exploring them together
  • read a book instead of watching TV or listening to a podcast because you value reading
  • find contentment for yourself, test your own creativity, rather than giving in to restlessness and boredom and the endless trap of “productivity”
  • learn more about children and learning because you want not, not because you have to

The life we want for our children can also be ours. Homeschooling can be, without a doubt, one of the richest pathways to wholeness and profound learning for you, not just your children.

You really can do this. Millions of us have. And so many parents work while providing this childhood for their kids.

I’m here to help and so is all of Brave Writer!

Growing Brave Writers

Posted in Homeschool Advice | Comments Off on An Idyllic Childhood

Brave Learning: The Brave Process of Teaching Writing through Literature

Brave Learning

Recently on Brave Learning…

The Brave Process of Teaching Writing through Literature 

Trust the process. I promise you! It works.

What I’ve noticed over the years of home educating five kids myself as well as the thousands of students we’ve now taught through Brave Writer is that the best education for the mechanics of writing is reading real writing.

Some parents complain, however, that their kids read a ton and aren’t making the connection between what they read and what they write. It worries them! And of course it does! These are your kids.Subscribe

That’s why it’s important to feature language arts elements in the context of great writing! Your kids naturally come to adopt the mechanics of writing in English through the soothing, repetitive practices of:

  • reading,
  • pondering,
  • and copywork. [More]

Watch our FREE webinar Make Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling Stick—with Books!

Posted in Brave Learning on Substack | Comments Off on Brave Learning: The Brave Process of Teaching Writing through Literature