A SPECIAL PROJECT-WHY?

While the word ‘project’ may invoke hesitations, at The Write Journey, we see a project is an opportunity. In our classes, instructors assign an Enrichment Project (EP) as a way for students to explore a specific part of the story that interests them. EPs come in all varieties. What appeals to one may not interest another. However, students often enjoy the projects so much that they eagerly await the final weeks of each semester to begin a new EP. They anticipate the chance to pull out their artistic natures to use glue sticks, paints, baking supplies, costume making skills, and other various creative methods. This is a win for everyone!

After all, isn’t it true that we learn so much by stepping away from the typical learning rhythms. We find benefits from stretching beyond our comfort zone. Reaching beyond the norms. Trying a new skill. Learning a new topic. Writing in a new style. The beauty of the word ‘project’ is in the opportunity. When I take on a project at home, I rarely feel totally equipped, yet I love the aspect of learning to try something new. In fact, the finished product brings a sense of wonder and satisfaction to me. The bonuses lie in the gains of new layers of skills and understanding. The goal need not be perfection, which feels too stressful to me. Instead, I appreciate the process of growth. I even see a bit of a project in me. I hope our readers find a new possible project in the pages of their reading, whatever it is. If it interests the reader, it may just be worth exploring in a deeper way. Happy discoveries!

Watch for the next newsletter that will highlight some Enrichment Projects from our classes. Also, feel free to share YOUR family projects on our social media. Let’s celebrate our wonderful homeschooling opportunities together.

READING SLOWLY & CLOSELY ALLOWS DEEPER EXPLORATION

When asked “Why would The Write Journey choose to only study one novel in class for a whole semester,” I understand the concern. Don’t we want our students to be considered well read? Don’t they need to read many novels to even qualify as well read? If only it were that straightforward! As an avid reader, I could not limit myself to just one book over 12 weeks. However, we study a novel as opposed to simply reading the story to find out what happens. Students that want to gobble up stories may choose to read many alongside our class novel. Let’s look at the purpose of slowly and closely studying literature.

Great literature opens the door to a deeper and more meaningful exploration into many aspects of a novel. In class, we teach students to pay attention to important aspects of their novel. While we may not closely study every aspect on the list in each and every novel, over time, students learn the different components of the greats!

•  The parts of a story

•  The author's craft or methods

•  Strong vocabulary

•  Well-written sentences

•  Conflicts

•  Character development

•  Literary devices, such as tone, similes, metaphors, irony, satire, hyperbole, etc.

•  Theme

•  Genres

• Point-of-view

When a student finds the information that the instructor directed them to seek, they mark the novel. However, they do not underline or highlight entire pages! Instead, students learn to use symbols, abbreviations, and words written in the margin to indicate the purpose for which they marked the page. They also record the information on a chart, which is kept throughout the entire study. This allows the student to easily find that information. Classes deeply discuss short sections of the novel in the classroom discussion, and much of the scheduled time is devoted to that discussion. TWJ highly values interaction, lively discussion, and even discourse. Students are able to critically think through the deeper layers of concepts in the story, which are often highlighted by the instructor to ensure students truly understand all that they read.

So- why study just one novel? Briefly, students gain more. Therefore, less is more. Many past students, when asked to share their favorite all time novel, will state one of the novels from our classes. They develop a close relationship with the text. The story lasts, and it matters. And THAT matters to The Write Journey.

YOU ARE INVITED & YOU ARE WELCOME

If you have questions about ANYTHING related to us, The Write Journey, we want to hear from you. Perhaps you’re new to The Write Journey community, and you have questions about how we might be able to partner with you to bring quality writing instruction to your children. I want to encourage you to connect with us:

1. Visit our website if you haven’t already done so.

2. Join our Facebook Group where you’ll hear from other families in our community.

   [add facebook handle]

3. Follow us on Instagram if you like getting little nuggets of information regularly.

4. Call or email our home office to get answers to your specific questions.

916-696-1759 info@thewritejourney.net

One of our core values is to build quality relationships with students and parents.

In a culture that makes it so difficult to connect with an actual human being, we go to great lengths to be available. It’s simple. If you call our home office and leave a message, someone will call you back within a day or two at the most and spend as much time as needed to answer all your questions and help you understand how we can partner with you to bring quality education to your children.

We hope you’ll connect with us in whatever way works best for you. You are invited. You are welcome.

WHAT IS THE BEST CHOICE?

Teaching your child how to communicate takes many forms, with the two main forms being spoken and written communication. We believe written communication is extremely important. Therefore we have developed another tool for families to use to teach their children written communication: TWJ Student Lesson Guide.

This Student Lesson Guide was created so individual students might work independently, while learning how to write a paragraph. It allows students to work at their own pace, and families to use the same material for multiple children. The Student Lesson Guide was developed as both a supplement and an alternative to our Writing Foundations Classes, which teach the same information, but in a class setting. The obvious differences in the Writing Foundations Classes (WF) and the Student Lesson Guide (SLG) are the ability to complete the class in a group setting or learn the same information by working indepently through the SLG. Both have productive aspects depending on your goal.

Benefits of taking the Writing Foundations Class:

• Students gather ideas from others in the class

•  Students hear important information repeated in new ways in class

•  Students ask questions of the teacher

•  Students hear classmates’ questions and learn from them and their

  answers

•  Students receive instruction and individual feedback from an

  experienced TWJ instructor
  Benefits of using the Student Lesson Guide:

•  Students learn small chunks of information that they practice and apply (mostly) independently

•  Students do not need to attend a scheduled class time

•  Students can proceed through the SLG at their own pace

•  Students have the ability to repeat lessons year after year as needed

  for mastery

 SLG can be used for ALL students WITHIN YOUR OWN FAMILY .

As you can see the Writing Foundations Classes and the Student Lesson Guide have very similar content, but they differ in the audience: a single student vs. a class. Both products are amazing and have the potential to benefit students enormously when used properly. Either way, you’ll be pleased with the outcome. Order your Student Lesson Guide here:

OR

Sign up for our Writing Foundations Classes here:

-Sheila Bradley

STARTING STRONG

Be encouraged. The first month of the school year is complete. You did it. Your children did it. I remember the energy and excitement (and sometimes the apprehension) that filled our hearts and minds as each new school year began. “Starting strong”. What does that mean anyway? Most likely, it means something different for each of us:

•  From following a strict routine to creating a relaxed atmosphere

•  From maintaining checklists to keep us on task to going with the flow as much as

  possible

•  From focusing on academics to focusing on socialization

• From loving what we’re doing to pulling our hair out in frustration

Chances are we have all experienced each sway of the pendulum at some time . . . perhaps even within a 24 hour period! So what does starting strong mean?

Perhaps it means intentionally choosing our perspective:

•  The big picture vs. a single day (whether terrific or terrible)

•  Character vs. accomplishments

•  Finding joy vs. allowing criticism

• Speaking life vs. nagging and complaining

“The big picture”, “character”, “finding joy”, “speaking life”. You get the idea. If you got off track with what it means to “start strong”, perhaps you are encouraged to rethink what it means for you and your family. Trust your heart, and make some adjustments if you need to. It’s not too late to “start strong”.