Though we want to encourage our younger children to enjoy writing by keeping our critique to a minimum, there comes a time when evaluating your student’s writing must take priority, especially for upper level students. Though evaluating creative writing and narratives is highly subjective, by following the guidelines of what is commonly known as the… Continue reading Evaluating Your Student’s Writing
Creative and Academic writing are both important to teach in your homeschool; yet, of the two, academic writing is more necessary and useful for your child’s future success. Most homeschool courses that address writing focus on stories, descriptions, and other creative genres. The lessons attempt to pull the creative spark from the students, encouraging them to experiment… Continue reading Creative and Academic Writing
Academic writing is simple, really. Almost too simple. You’ll soon be saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?” The Composition Code is simply a formula for academic writing. It’s the easiest way to teach homeschool writing. It’s not used in many other kinds of writing, though as an attorney, my husband uses the format loosely… Continue reading Writing in the Homeschool
One kind of writing—academic writing—is rigid and procedural. It’s purposed purely to convey knowledge, data, and information. It’s orderly, organized, and follows a formula. It’s necessary. It can be dull. Anyone can master it. Everyone should master it. The other kind of writing—creative writing—is inspired and artistic. It entertains with word pictures, concepts, and deep… Continue reading Academic Writing vs. Creative Writing
The benefits of journaling are countless. It was truly one of the best things we implemented into our homeschooling. Not only did my children enjoy journal writing, the time they put into journaling during the elementary years laid the foundation for academic writing in the middle and high school years. However, I did not allow my… Continue reading Journal Writing
It can be rather discouraging for the homeschool mom when, after trying every method and motivation possible, a child simply refuses to write. If you’re in that boat, don’t despair! Many a homeschool mom has fought this battle and won, so you are not alone. There could be one of many reasons why your child… Continue reading Why Your Child Dislikes Writing
Some people leave the womb with a natural inclination toward spelling. For others, spelling is a lifelong struggle. I have children in both categories. With my natural spellers, I don’t think it mattered what curriculum I used. Spelling made sense to them. With my poor speller, who also struggled with dyslexia, well, let’s just say… Continue reading Spelling Solutions from Charlotte Mason
Notebooks are living books—creative expressions of a child’s learning. When our children engage in notebooking, they are uniquely authoring their own book filled with authentic ideas and expressions they will treasure forever. Some people mistakenly believe notebooking is all about writing, but that’s not true at all. While notebooking can and often does include writing,… Continue reading 7 Ways to Develop Writers Through Notebooking
My best selling, award-winning science series published by Apologia is consistently rated the #1 elementary science curriculum. Why? Because my Young Explorer Series is Unique Written by an ACTUAL homechooling mother I wrote my science books as I was homeschooling, testing the concepts, methods, experiments and activities while using them to teach my own children.… Continue reading Jeannie’s Science
Narration is a game changer. It’s one of the things we got right in our homeschool. I can say this with confidence because I see in my adult children today that same love for learning that was cultivated through narration early in our homeschool—a love for learning that has carried them through their college studies and… Continue reading Narration: A Homeschool Game Changer
