Write a story based on the picture (two snow parents and a show child who is upside down).
New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.
Write a story based on the picture (two snow parents and a show child who is upside down).
New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.
Tags: Writing prompts
Posted in Friday Freewrite | Comments Off on Friday Freewrite: Snow Family
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.
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:
Remember, every new approach, every elective, every game is an opportunity to discover and learn something new.
Produced by NOVA Media
Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #218] Reupping Your Homeschool Commitment
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.
Tune in to the Brave Writer podcast on Apple Podcasts (or your app of choice)
and also here on the Brave Writer blog.
Posted in Podcast Season Recaps | Comments Off on [Podcast] 2024: The Complete List
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.
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!
Posted in Homeschool Advice, Writing about Writing | Comments Off on No More “Posed” Writing
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:
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!
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:
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:
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:
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:
For ages 15-18, check out the Slingshot.
Posted in Arrow, Boomerang, BW products, Language Arts | Comments Off on Mechanics & Literature: January 2024
I’m a homeschooling alum -17 years, five kids. Now I run Brave Writer, the online writing and language arts program for families. More >>
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