61 Things I Did Right in My Homeschool

61 Things I Did Right in My Homeschool

The balance to all I didn’t get to or all I didn’t do in our homeschool are the very real choices I made that made all the difference in my homeschool journey with my kids. It was incredibly satisfying to sit down with paper and pen and record all the stuff I’m proud of—the lessons I learned, the choices I made that I see having been valuable to my kids and their eventual success as persons.

I hope once you’ve listened to this scope and the 55 Things I Didn’t Do, you will make your own list—a Work in Progress (WIP) list that you can edit as you go. Just know that there is NO WAY to do it all—all the amazing ideas, all the terrific programs, all the varieties of good Pinterest worthy ideas. Some mix of what you find enticing and available will pop through the forest of good ideas and that unique constellation of subjects and projects and experiences will create the people your children need to become. YOUR family culture will be unique and the people you are will contribute to our global community in powerful ways.

Thanks for embarking on this journey and trusting the process. I am so glad you’ve chosen to homeschool… at least for now, for this season.

Julie

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55 Things I Didn’t Do as a Homeschooler

55 Things I Didn't Do as a Homeschooler

I listened one day to a Periscope (a live streaming video) of a business owner who explained that there were 45 things she had neglected to do despite having a successful million dollar business. It got me thinking. My kids are adults. They are thriving and living the kinds of lives I’d hoped they’d choose when I was in the trenches of home educating them. As I looked back, I knew there were at least 45 things I didn’t finish, do, get to. And I had this hunch that hearing about those neglected areas would be liberating for homeschoolers today.

So I pulled out a pen and paper and began a long list down a page. I blew by number 45, realizing I was not at all finished. My pace only slowed as I hit the golden number 55.

55 things I didn’t do as a homeschooler that in no way prevented my kids from having the lives they want! 55 things that didn’t prevent my kids from going to the colleges of their choice, or getting coveted scholarships. 55 things I didn’t do, yet one of the five is on a full ride at Columbia Law. 55 things I didn’t do and yet three of my adult kids are on the editorial boards of literary magazines. One of them runs the most popular student organization at his college (a poetry slam!).

Despite not completing those 55 things, two of my kids were president of Amnesty International at Ohio State. The one who didn’t read until she was ten is studying three languages simultaneously including Hindi. My oldest is teaching himself computer programming and bartending, and my oldest daughter is spending this year in South America just to learn Spanish before graduate school in social work.

Somehow, despite not getting through the four year history cycle, or reading all the classics, one of my kids is in Great Books Program at St. John’s College—this from the kid with dysgraphia who didn’t write for 3 years.

Whenever I look at who my adult kids are, I’m again reminded that so much went right that I couldn’t always appreciate while I home educated them. Some days I thought I was failing to give them what they deserved—what other homeschoolers told me were essentials.

Today, I know differently. Please enjoy this sometimes cringe-inducing look at what I didn’t do while I homeschooled. And then, please!! go to my scope about the 61 Things I Did Right. I feel naked and exposed when all you watch are the things I did wrong. 🙂

Julie

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Friday Freewrite: Beginning, middle, or end?

Friday Freewrite: Beginning, Middle, or End

When you write about an experience you can begin and end your story wherever you want. See this flower girl at a wedding reception? Describe her experience from her point of view, and use the moment in the photo as either the beginning, middle, or end of her tale.

P.S. You can also do this with a photo of yourself if you’d like!

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

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Sidewalk Writing: Five Ideas

Sidewalk Writing

by Brave Writer student and intern, Finlay Worrallo

Sidewalk chalk is not only for drawing pictures. Why not use it to write with, as well? Grab some chalks, find a sidewalk or pavement, and write! (Be sure to check first if any laws apply; not all sidewalk chalking is legal.)

Here are five ideas for sidewalk writing:

1. Big writing
Write words on the sidewalk in great BIG letters, as big as you can make them. You could write your name, a joke, some copywork, or simply words you love the sound of. You decide!

2. Colorful writing
Do some words look better in black than yellow, or vice versa? What colors suit different words best? Maybe red chalk for verbs and blue chalk for nouns or green chalk for long words and pink for short? Write words you like in different colors and see how they look.

3. Temporary writing
A cool thing about writing with chalk is that it’s easy to get rid of, either by rubbing it away or pouring water over it. What could you write in chalk knowing it would be quickly erased? Find a patch of pavement and write a secret in small letters. How does it feel to have those words outside of you, in the world, visible and solid? Think about that for a moment then pour a bucket of water on what you’ve written and let it all dissolve!

Sidewalk Writing

4. Public writing
What do you want to tell the world or, at least, the people who walk in your neighborhood? A cheery message? A strong opinion? A daring idea? A favorite quotation? Write so that every passerby will read what you’ve written!

5. Interactive writing
Encourage others to join in! Writing in an outside space gives people the chance to add their thoughts. You might chalk: “Write happy thoughts here!” then leave a piece of chalk on the sidewalk so others can share. Or start writing a list of your favorite books, places in town, or foods, and let people add their own as they stroll past.

So next time the weather’s nice, get some sidewalk chalks. Write big, write colorfully, and be chalky!

P.S. Make your own scented sidewalk chalk! Here are instructions by BitzNGiggles.

images by Brave Writer moms, Jennifer and Cheryl

Brave Writer's 7-Day Writing Blitz

For More Unconventional Writing Fun
Check Out Our 7-Day Writing Blitz!

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Student Spotlight: Libby

The Bare Bear by LibbyEnjoy this adorable poem by Brave Writer, Libby!

The Bare Bear

by Libby (age 12)

There once was bear named Clare
And this bear named Clare had no hair
No fur and no fuzz,
the coldest a bear ever was,
Yes poor Clare had no hair, she was bare!

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