Friday Freewrite: Color Combination

Friday Freewrite

Today’s freewriting prompt:

Which two colors do you think go best together? Share your reasons.

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 #259] The Power of Practice

Brave Writer Podcast

People tend to have a pretty clear idea of what practice looks like for musicians and athletes. But what does practice look like for writers?

In today’s Brave Writer podcast episode, we discuss what writing practice can look like for writers of all ages and developmental stages. We:

  • describe our own daily writing practices and those of well-known authors.
  • dive into how you can facilitate your child’s practice.
  • anchor the discussion with a NEW Brave Writer product, Practice Pages!

With references to Flannery O’Connor, judgy teenagers, and gleefully vindictive youngsters with the red editing pen in their hands, this conversation is as entertaining as it is informative. Enjoy!

Show Notes

What it Means to Practice Writing

Every professional writer has their own preferred way of practicing: writing to the sound of children playing, reading poetry in the morning, free writing, etc. 

For children, practicing writing can also be varied as long as it fits with what we know works for successful learning:

  • Be frequently immersed in words,
  • make learning playful,
  • value mistakes as points of learning,
  • and practice concepts over and over again.

Practice Pages

Brave Writer has a new product that can help kids practice writing: our soon-to-launch, Practice Pages. Using passages from real works of literature, these sets feature two kinds of exercises: French-style dictation and reverse dictation. Kids get to practice targeted skills like homophones and contractions in a problem-solving context. And, since the product comes as a printable PDF, kids can doodle on it, make messy mistakes, tear it up, and practice over and over again.

Like music and sports, writing is an act of expression. The purpose of practicing the fundamentals is not to pass a one-time test, but to experience ongoing mastery that leads to creativity and flow. We hope Practice Pages helps kids and parents move towards this.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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Knowing vs. Feeling Loved

Brave Writer

Love is the key ingredient in your homeschool. Knowing you are loved, though, and feeling loved are not identical.

Here are some examples of that distinction:

Knowing you’re loved:
My mom makes meals for me every day.

Feeling loved:
My mom makes sure my favorite snacks are in the pantry.

Knowing you’re loved:
My parents come to all my soccer games.

Feeling loved:
My parents comforted me with hugs and kindness when we lost the game.

Knowing you’re loved:
My dad sits next to me to watch his football games and shares his snack.

Feeling loved:
My dad watches my favorite shows and shares my snack.

Be on the lookout for ways you can help your kids feel THEY are loved versus simply knowing they are loved.

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

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Friday Freewrite: New Words

Friday Freewrite

Today’s freewriting prompt:

Create your own new words! Spell them however you like (though be sure you can pronounce them) and give them any definition. Now, use a few of your new words in a story. Go!

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 #258] Turning Around a Day Gone Wrong

Brave Writer Podcast

Ever have one of those days where the kids won’t stop bickering, everything seems difficult, and overall there’s just bad energy?

In today’s Brave Writer podcast episode, we give you tips and tricks on how to turn the mood around…or at least keep your own internal peace.

We give ideas that are focused on the body: movement and the five senses. We also give tips that are focused on the surroundings: making a small new setting in your home or even going out to new learning spaces.

Brave Writer Podcast

For a full list of the ideas we share in this episode, go to our website and download the PDF we have ready for you (it’s FREE)!

Show Notes

Bad Moments, Not Bad Days

Bad moments are just that: moments. Moments end. Just because a day is going poorly doesn’t mean that day can’t get better. And, of course, bad moments, or even bad days, don’t mean that you have to lose your inner peace. It’s okay to sometimes put the kids in front of the TV, find a small space all to yourself, and eat some chocolate.

Concrete Ways to Stop Bad Moments and Start Good Ones

There are lots of ways to stop the downward spiral of your homeschooling day and start an upward spiral instead. Many of these have to do with changing the current physical experience of your kids:

  • go for an observation walk,
  • light a scented candle,
  • blow and pop bubbles,
  • do texture-rich handicrafts. 

For a full list of energy-shifting tips and tricks, download our PDF.

And don’t forget: with the holiday season coming up, make sure to let doting grandparents and other family members know that zoo and museum passes are a great gift. Sometimes, when your house is a zoo, the best option is to go to one!

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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