Friday Freewrite: 5-Syllable Words

Friday Freewrite

Use these 5-syllable words in a story: 

  • Opportunity
  • Anticipation
  • Immediately
  • Dramatically
  • Hippopotamus

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

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Podcast: Party Schooling with Lise McGuinness

Brave Writer Podcast

Get ready for an entertaining journey into homeschooling on this episode of our podcast! We delve into an inspiring approach to education that proves learning can be:

  • fun,
  • dynamic,
  • and full of joy!

This episode features an exciting discussion with our special guest, Lise McGuinness, a veteran preschool teacher and homeschooler (and Brave Learner Home member!) with an infectious enthusiasm for what she calls ‘party school’.

Lise McGuinness
Lise McGuinness

Don’t miss this episode filled with enthusiasm, inspiration, and tons of practical insights on homeschooling with a twist. Lise’s zest for learning and her party school concept may just revolutionize your approach to education at home.

Show Notes

Lise’s journey to homeschooling

Lise, originally on the path to become a traditional teacher, found inspiration in the works of ’60s progressive educators, such as John Holt, which instilled in her a thirst for non-conventional teaching methods. Her teaching philosophy was further influenced by the progressive preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, known for their child-centered approach, which emphasizes children’s competence, encourages their multifaceted language development, and promotes learning guided by children’s interests—an approach known as the emergent curriculum.

Lise’s homeschooling odyssey truly began when she discovered the Unschooling Handbook, a guide that opened her eyes to the possibilities of applying these progressive teaching methods to older grades. This pivotal revelation led her to establish a family childcare, a decision driven by her desire to apply her newfound educational perspectives while also remaining at home.

Lise’s association with Brave Writer, a staple in her teaching arsenal, traces back to her early teaching days when she resonated deeply with the concept of “Jot It Down”—an approach she had already been applying with her preschoolers. Over the years, she has integrated various Brave Writer resources into her homeschooling curriculum, such as Arrows, the Seven-Day Blitz, the Writer’s Jungle, and classes focused on movie discussions and essay writing. As we move forward, she is excitedly preparing to embark on the journey of “Help for High School,” another powerful resource from Brave Writer. This comprehensive insight into Lise’s educational journey provides a blueprint for those seeking innovative and personalized approaches to homeschooling.

Hosting a successful book party

Brave Writer book parties are unique gatherings which seamlessly blend literature discussions with enjoyable activities and social elements, transforming the often solitary act of reading into a communal celebration. The inspiration for these parties springs from the party guides included in various Brave Writer materials like the Arrow, Dart, and Boomerang. These guides propose a wealth of creative suggestions, ranging from book-specific activities and decorations to themed food ideas.

Lise recalls one notable instance of such literary celebrations that featured author Melissa Wiley discussing her book “Prairie Thief” via Zoom. Lise’s prolific club has impressively journeyed through 60 books and has a goal to reach a total of 100 books by the time the daughter graduates from high school.

To distinguish these gatherings from traditional school-based book discussions, Lise injected elements of fun and excitement. Children were encouraged to dress up, and book club meetings were turned into vibrant parties. Books like “My Side of the Mountain” and “The Wild Robot” sparked associated activities like foraging for food and crafting dioramas with natural items. Outside professionals, such as dance teachers, were even brought in for certain books like “Jazz Owls” and “The Red Umbrella,” enhancing the immersive reading experience.

To execute these events smoothly, planning ahead was crucial. Platforms like Pinterest proved useful for gathering related party ideas, and other homeschoolers like Mary Hannah Wilson served as a source of inspiration. But above all, the essence of these book parties was not just about discussing the book. The emphasis was equally placed on crafting an enjoyable atmosphere, filled with related activities, decorations, and themed food. By doing so, learning became an exciting and meaningful adventure, helping children engage with literature in a deep, yet joyous manner.

Whether they are elaborate events or much simpler endeavors, the goal of a book party is to celebrate the act of reading as a group. By bringing people together to have fun and share in the joys of reading, you encourage a lifelong habit of reading that is sure to benefit your children for years to come.

Resources

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Brave Writer Podcast

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Let Kids Surprise You

Brave Writer Let Kids Surprise You

Give your kids the chance to surprise you. The next time someone asks you to look at what they are reading, doing, seeing, STOP—and read, watch, be interested. Get inside that amazing mind of your child. It is all mystery and surprise in there!

Let your child interrupt your life long enough to surprise you!

If a child asks you to come watch what they’re doing on a video game or to watch the magic trick they just learned or to see the knitting they’re attempting, stop what you’re doing. It does mean putting down the phone or turning off the stove or walking out of the bedroom while you’re making the bed.

  • Go directly to the child.
  • Focus your attention on their “thing.”
  • Stay until you are moved, impressed, touched, or delighted.

The key move is: Go to your child and don’t make them wait.

See what happens!

By the way, you can’t do this all day every day for every child and every request. So try it once a day and rotate children. Make a note on your calendar or on a phone app so that you know you’ve done it and for whom.

Be open to changing your behavior in response to a child’s request and be surprised by what happens next.

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: Good Job!

Friday Freewrite

Remember the last time someone told you, “Good job!” Describe that experience.

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Podcast: Five Surprising Reasons to Homeschool

Brave Writer Five Surprising Reasons to Homeschool

Today, we’re going back to the root of it all to ask – and answer – one incredibly vital question:

Why homeschool in the first place?

Everyone has their own personal reasons, but I thought we could explore the origins of why we began homeschooling in the first place, as well as five reasons we think homeschooling could benefit any child.

This episode will resonate with those already in the homeschooling trenches or those contemplating the idea. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler considering changes or someone contemplating this path for the first time, we hope our stories inspire you.

Remember, you don’t need to know everything to get started. All you need is the desire to be home with your kids and learn as you go.

Show Notes

Our Homeschooling Beginnings

Both of us embarked on our homeschooling adventures back in the 1990s, and our motivations were unique yet similar in many ways. I was drawn to the appealing lifestyle homeschooling offered – the relaxed pace, flexibility, and the chance to cultivate a joyful childhood for my kids. Melissa was introduced to the idea of a tailor-made education before she even tied the knot. She was inspired by the homeschooling families around her and the prospect of being actively involved in her future children’s educational journey.

Influencers and Resources That Shaped Our Journey

Several resources shaped our initial understanding of homeschooling. We were greatly influenced by the ‘Growing Without Schooling’ magazine, and books by Dorothy and Raymond Moore, John Holt, and John Taylor Gatto. These provided us with a paradigm of what education could look like beyond the conventional school system. We were also inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Men” and Jim Trelease’s “The Read Aloud Handbook” to create a rich, immersive learning environment in our homes.

Diving Deep into the Reasons to Homeschool

We’ve identified five major reasons to homeschool. They are as follows:

  • Flexibility: Homeschooling gives us the freedom to adapt our schedules, learning styles, and methods according to our children’s needs and different seasons in life.
  • Connection: We shared personal experiences of the profound relationships formed in a homeschooling environment, particularly the strong bonds between siblings and between children and adults.
  • Kinesthetic Benefits: We emphasized the importance of integrating physical movement into learning, sharing how homeschooling creates ample opportunities for this.
  • Joyfulness: We asserted the importance of creating a joyful and comfortable learning environment, likening it to the Danish concept of hygge.
  • Academic Success: We posited that academic success should be a natural byproduct of a positive learning environment, rather than the primary goal. The focus should be on meaningful learning, not merely achieving high grades.

Learning Through Life Experiences

A significant part of our discussion centered on the spontaneous, real-world application of concepts. We shared personal anecdotes about how our children’s interests led to unplanned, immersive learning experiences. This joy of discovery and exploration is one of the reasons we love homeschooling.

Finding the Desire to Homeschool

In conclusion, we emphasized that the desire to homeschool is the most important requirement to start this journey. You don’t need to have everything figured out from day one; learning and adapting along the way is part of the process. After all, the opportunity of homeschooling lies in creating a rich context filled with connection, flexibility, joy, and active learning.

Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler considering changes or someone contemplating this path for the first time, we hope our stories inspire you. Remember, you don’t need to know everything to get started. All you need is the desire to be home with your kids and learn as you go.

Until next time, keep learning and exploring!

Resources

Connect with Julie

Brave Writer Podcast

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