A Brave Writerâs Life in Brief

Friday Freewrite: In Three Words

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 08:43:00 GMT

Describe each of these events (and feel free to include ones not listed if you’d like) in exactly THREE words: Your last birthday Your last meal The best day ever The funniest thing so far in 2021 Your most embarrassing moment New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

"Live honestly, write bravely.”

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 19:12:21 GMT

“Live honestly, write bravely.” Will we? Can we? I listened to an interview with author Zadie Smith on Literary Friction. She isn’t on social media. Why? Because as the Internet has evolved in the last 30 years, she asserts that what we share and post is held accountable for purity, for clarity, for identification with […]

Relationship: The 4th "R”

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 09:14:00 GMT

Everyone says schooling is about Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic. This year, let’s talk about the fourth ‘R’ in education: Relationship! Without a loving connection, learning leads to frustration and tears. In January 2021, the Brave Learner Home is hosting an expert who will talk to us about how to enhance your connection to your scattered […]

Friday Freewrite: Punny

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 08:45:00 GMT

Pun: a joke that uses different possible meanings of a word. Did you know that in Scotland they use puns to name their snow plows? For example: “For Your Ice Only” and “Snowbegone Kenobi.” For today’s writing prompt, create your own punny names for an object (might be a snow plow or something else). Go! […]

There Are No Shortcuts

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 08:39:00 GMT

Can you imagine yourself on June 1—looking back on this school year? How do you want to feel? What would you like to be able to say about your year with your kids? Take a moment to think of one or two items. Write them down. One might be aspirational—we’ll get through Ancient Greece and […]

Dart, Arrow, and Boomerang: Jan. 2021

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 09:10:00 GMT

If there is a thread that runs through the Dart, Arrow, and Boomerang issues this month, it is moving and the change that comes with it! Whether a penguin, a fox, or a young girl, a change of scenery often means adjusting to a new way of life. As we explore the grammar, punctuation, spelling, […]

Friday Freewrite: Resolutions

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 08:44:00 GMT

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? If so, what are yours for 2021. If not, share your reasons for not making yearly goals. New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

Finding the Way to a Happier Experience

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 08:32:00 GMT

The number one way you can have a great homeschool is to shift the responsibility for it being great from your kids’ performance to your preparation. In other words, put more time into making sure that the lessons are relevant, interesting, and suited to the child’s skills. Put less energy into requirement, frustration, and worry […]

The Brave Writer Staff is Slowing the Pace for the Holidays

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 00:17:00 GMT

We at Brave Writer wish you all the best during this holiday season! In these upcoming days as this year draws to a close, we hope you are able to slow the pace of your everyday life and savor the beauty of family. The staff of Brave Writer will also be slowing the pace a […]

Essay Prep: Reading the Essay

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 08:47:00 GMT

Are you looking to encourage big juicy conversations with your teens about meaningful topics like consumerism, race, self-image and the role of technology in our lives? One way to get at these topics is to triangle in a third party opinion—essays written by well-respected and established authors. Alice Walker, Judith Newman, Brent Staples and Anna […]

The Best Curriculum is the One You Use

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 08:29:00 GMT

If the program stays in your inbox, and you don’t download it to the computer, you have no hope of using it. If the curriculum sits on the dining room table, spine un-cracked, it will not magically transmit the content to your learners. If you feel confused or overwhelmed, that feeling won’t go away until […]

Friday Freewrite: Short Story Long

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 08:43:00 GMT

Have you heard the expression, “Make a long story short”? Let’s reverse that! Write a simple one sentence story like, “I brushed my teeth this morning.” Now rewrite and expand it with silly twists, turns, plus tons of odd, tiny details and see how long and drawn out you can make it (and for comedic […]

More Writing Class Sessions Added

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 15:42:11 GMT

That elusive must-have toy. The concert tickets that sold like hotcakes. The latest tech on Black Friday. And… Brave Writer classes on Registration Day! Talk about high demand! All is not lost! We’ve taken note of the “hot” items for next semester and we’re bringing you more! We hear you. You want more classes for little kids. […]

Dart, Arrow, Boomerang: Fan Favorites

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 07:51:00 GMT

What a year it’s been! Amidst toilet paper shortages, physical distancing, cancelled outings, and some heartache books have been a soothing balm. And wow have you been reading! We’ve loved every report from our Brave Writer families. Each story shared of a Big Juicy Conversation, successful book-related project, consuming deep dive, or hearty “aha” moment […]

If Your Child Hates Writing

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 15:25:50 GMT

Do you have a kid who hates writing? I’ve got the secret to unblocking that child. Ready? This is a great time of year to catch your child in the act of narrating—expressing a thought, experience, or the content of a movie. When your child hits the white heat of language (you know it’s happening […]

Friday Freewrite: Miniature

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 08:42:00 GMT

Surprise! You wake up and are less than an inch tall. Describe your first day being tiny. New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

Podcast: Teaching Your Children Shakespeare with Ken Ludwig

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 09:52:00 GMT

On this episode of the Brave Writer podcast, we talk with best-selling author and award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig. We explore our shared enthusiasm for Shakespeare and how to bring the Bard to life for our children. Learn about: memorizing soliloquies, examining Shakespeare’s language, and the details of how Shakespeare’s plays have been preserved for us […]

Brave Writer Listicle!

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 08:52:00 GMT

17 Things Only Brave Writer Homeschoolers Would Know 1. Wrinkled paper makes a freer writer. 2. A chair is essential to teaching prepositions. 3. The term “Elbow” is not a mid-joint in your arm. 4. Weapons make perfectly appropriate names for children’s curriculum. 5. Planning from behind does not involve toilet paper. 6. It takes […]

Winter/Spring Class Registration is OPEN

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Registration is OPEN for our Winter/Spring 2021 Online Writing Classes! You’ve waited patiently; the wait is over! Our classes fill quickly, particularly those at the start of the semester. If you know what you want, be sure to sign up early to ensure you secure your seat. Please note that the class called The Writer’s Jungle […]

Friday Freewrite: First Meeting

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 08:26:00 GMT

Remember the last time you met someone for the first time. Write about the encounter. Were you nervous, excited, something else? What were your first impressions? What did you talk about? New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

A Brave Writerâs Life in Brief