It's Monday? Write Again! #5
Submitted by kim on Mon, 10/15/2012 - 17:07 in Homeschooling, Writing
If you are keeping a writer's notebook, consider taking this week to record the small details you notice around you.
One way to encourage this practice is take writing class outdoors. Find a quiet place to sit. Observe the world around you for a few minutes. List what you see.
It's Monday? Write Again! #4
Submitted by kim on Sun, 10/07/2012 - 23:06 in Homeschooling, Writing
Monday again? Another week to write with our children.
It's Monday? Write Again! #3
Submitted by kim on Mon, 10/01/2012 - 21:53 in Homeschooling, Writing
Are you trying to use a writer's notebook in your homeschool this year?
It's Monday? Write Again! #2
Submitted by kim on Mon, 09/17/2012 - 20:05 in Homeschooling, Writing
BREAKING NEWS! The 2011 Nation's Report Card on Writing was released last week! Check it out here.
Why should homeschool parents teaching writing be interested in this report?
It's Monday? Write Again! #1
Submitted by kim on Mon, 09/10/2012 - 12:36 in Homeschooling, Writing
The Write Next To Me© Writing Communities started last Friday. It would be impossible to cover all that we accomplished in one concise blog post, but I wanted to share some highlights of our activities and discussions.
The parents received a handout a week prior to our first meeting which included lots of information on writing. Topics covered were writing to learn exercises, how writing to learn differs from public writing, pre-writing activties, and graphic organizers.
Here's a snippet from the parent handout:
Write Next To Me Writing Communities Forming
Submitted by kim on Thu, 08/30/2012 - 10:56 in Homeschooling
If you've read the Write Next to Me© project and are interested in learning how to implement the ideas, a Write Next to Me Writing Community might be what you're looking for!
How to Miss a Year of Homeschooling
Submitted by kim on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 11:03 in Homeschooling
I had a few extra minutes before making Grandpa's breakfast this morning, and picked up Vicki Spandel's The 9 Rights of Every Writer. I wanted to review some of Spandel's insights on teaching. She is good. She got me by the end of chapter one - student writers have the right to be reflective.
Homeschooling in Missouri: Logging Educational Hours
Submitted by kim on Tue, 08/07/2012 - 12:13 in Homeschooling
If you're like this homeschool mom, you're wondering just how summer slipped by so quickly. I really need to crack down the next couple weeks and to get ready for the new year.
First thing to do every school year is compile a list of subjects and texts for each student. I have used the Course of Study form on Donna Young's website for years. (Thanks Donna for the amazing resources you offer free!) Compiling this document gives me a chance to do a last minute check on everyone's books and supplies, and also makes a great first page for the Missouri required portfolio of student work.
Vacation Journal Writing
Submitted by kim on Mon, 07/16/2012 - 10:44 in Homeschooling
I'm a collector of words. My favorite Pinterest board is full of words and sayings. When I go on vacation, I gather brochures, postcards, maps, and words about the places we're visiting. Usually these go in my suitcase with the best intentions of being transformed into something more creative once I get home.
I wanted things to go differently on our trip this summer. I wanted to write while I was experiencing the vacation and have a place to store this vacation writing along with the literature and words I was picking up along the way.
What A Homeschool Room Really Needs
Submitted by kim on Fri, 06/15/2012 - 19:22 in Homeschooling, Lessons for Mom
My heart has been wrestling.
It started the week before the inner city mission trip. I spent the week rearranging my homeschool room. We moved bookshelves, used some scrap wood to make shelves, added a $20 light. For years now I've enjoyed taking time in the summer to make the space fresh for the upcoming year. I excitedly shared photos.
Even as I prepared, I noted how big our school room now feels. Where there was once six of us doing school daily, there will be only three this year. Though the size is the same, each child leaving home makes the entire house feel bigger.
