Our Contest Winner for God & Christian Artists is . . .

Ambre, you are our winner!  

My thanks to all of you who visited and participated in the Curriculum Clean-OUT here at Living & Learning @ Home!

Ambre, I hope you and your family enjoy the book.

Happy Homeschooling,

KathyMarie

Curriculum Clean-OUT: 2 ITHOAC Geography Unit Pack CDs

This contest in now closed.

Congratulations to our winners:

Deanna and Rachell

Homeschool Book Give-away! You could win!

In the Hands of a Child . . . 

International Geography Quest on CD and North America on CD

There's a Curriculum Clean-OUT going on over at Homeschool Creations and I'm offering these two wonderful products in addition to the God & Christian Artists book that could be yours. 

Do you love the idea of notebooking? Or lapbooking? Unit studies have been one of our favorite ways to learn over the years and while we kind of missed the lapbooking craze when it first came out, we've been avid scrap-bookers and book-makers never-the-less. These hands-on, creative unit packs really make learning fun. So, let me suggest that you give these a try and others from . . .

In the Hands of a Child . . .

International Geography Quest on CD:

Learn about the science of Geography in a unique and interesting hands-on way! This CD is jam-packed with information and activities! Includes a 12-day Planning Guide, Related Reading List, 22 Hands-On Activities, 19-page Research Guide, and Answer Key PLUS- Use the 21 additional Hands-On Activities to complete a study on any country.

North America on CD:

With this thematic unit study  pack you will teach your kids (3rd grade and up) about the continent of North America. This pack includes a 14-day Planning Guide, Related Reading List, 23 Hands-On Activities, a 24-page Research Guide, and Answer Key about North American people, geography, climate, economy, wildlife, countries, and more! 

We'll choose two winners—one for each of the unit pack CDs mentioned above.

To enter: Please leave a comment below telling me where in the world you'd love to take your kids on a field trip, or tell me about the best field trip you've ever been on! You'll get a bonus entry if you decide to follow my blog by becoming a member. You don't have to, just let me know that you did. We'll pick a winner at random on Wednesday afternoon 3PM, August 8th. Please make sure in your comment that I have a way to contact you if you win. (Ships free media mail to mainland U.S.)

 Homeschool Creations

You'll want to go to their blog to find the other fabulous giveaways posted. It won't cost you a nickel if you win!

Curriculum Clean-OUT: Win God & Christian Artists

This contest is now closed.

Congratulations to our winner: Ambre

Homeschool Book Give-away!

Anyone who knows me, also knows how much I have loved being a homeschooling Mom to my (now graduated) four sons. I learned along side them and learned from them. What a great blessing learning at home is!

At this stage, I have a lot of books and curriculum that need to find a  new home. I reluctantly sold a few larger items on Ebay (my beloved books, my steady friends!) and set lower prices to move some books at a local used book sale. Then I saw this neat blog hop Curriculum Clean-OUT going on over at Homeschool Creations and thought I'd join in. When you get done here head over to check out the other giveaways posted. There are some interesting items and it won't cost a nickel if you win!

Have you decided what to use for art this year? Let me suggest . . .

 

God & Christian Artists

How Great Thou Art Series by Barry Stebbing

 Win this book!

What a neat art exploration/art history book! This text provides a 69-lesson, one-year art course. Drawing and color theory are covered while exploring artistic periods and artists—Rembrandt, Fra Angelico, Millet, and others—who have used their talents to glorify God. Ages 8 to 13. 102 reproducible pages, spiralbound softcover.

To enter: please leave a comment below telling me what you love most about art, or a funny incident that happened in your homeschool! You'll get a bonus entry if you decide to join my blog by becoming a member. You don't have to, just let me know that you did. We'll pick a winner at random on Sunday, August 5th. Please make sure in your comment that I have a way to contact you if you win. (Ships free media mail to mainland U.S.)

Homeschool Creations

Enjoy these great homeschooling years with your family—they end too quickly.

—KathyMarie

10 Favorite Quotes

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. —William Ward

I love books. I love words and word images. I love and collect quotes. Here are 10 top favorites that I've collected in recent months with a short commentary:

1. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.  —Jack London

This last year my motto has been to seize opportunity when it knocks. As an introvert I don't get out often enough and I find that if I push myself a bit I am rewarded by the experience.

2. I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.      —Stephen Covey 

Whose in charge of my life? I don't have to embrace ill circumstances of what may have happened to me in the past, and the important decisions I've made and accepted regarding them are what shape me.

3. Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.  —Thomas Jefferson

Oooeee.  I'm a peacemaker at heart and I like calm! Guess I'm in the timid category. I'm all for liberty, but I surrender to my hubby most of the time and let him fly with the tempestuous sea part.

4. If you can't get a miracle, become one.  —Nick Vujicic, man born without limbs

I love this quote and greatly admire Nick Vujicic. When I think of Nick I instantly perk up. Listening to him speak gives me goosebumps and makes me further in awe of our Creator who made Nick the way he is, and who gives God glory for all. 

5. Sometimes I think it's better to suffer bitter unhappiness and to fight and to scream out, and even to suffer that terrible pain, than to just be... safe. At least she knows she's living.  —Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was my favorite fiction book I read in the last year (based on the author's true life experiences). Oh wow! I want to write like Betty Smith. I want to live and feel like the characters in her book. Read it!

6. So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.  —Dr. Seuss

I actually took out and replaced two quotes from this original list because of their length, style, and creed. I didn't want to make it a chore for possible readers to read.

7. If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing. —Benjamin Franklin

I have lived a long fulfilling life thus far, but perhaps no one would realize it but me. I should write a memoir!

8. What makes people smart, curious, alert, observant, competent, confident, resourceful, persistent—in the broadest and best sense, intelligent—is not having access to more and more learning places, resources, and specialists, but being able in their lives to do a wide variety of interesting things that matter, things that challenge their ingenuity, skill, and judgment, and that make an obvious difference in their lives and the lives of people around them.  —John Holt, Teach Your Own

I'm going to miss homeschooling my four sons big time! I'm thankful to have been introduced to Mr. John Holt early on in our homeschool. He was a very wise man.

9. . . . We cannot change our past  . . . we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude . . . I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. —Chuck Swindoll

Old, but so true. Attitude is everything, or as Chuck puts it—it comes pretty close! This goes along with #2 above. It must be that these sayings resonate with my life in an important way.

10. We were lucky enough to grow up in a home environment where there was always much encouragement to children to pursue intellectual interests; to investigate whatever aroused their curiosity.  —Orville Wright

Heroes are important to have. The Wright Brothers have inspired us through their writings along with a host of others over the years. Biographies and autobiographies are a pleasure to read and we walk away a better person as a result.

What are your favorites?

It's fun to be linking up to Top Ten Tuesday!

Momma Hugs

This cute little picture put a big smile on my face today. (That's me, on the left.)

How often have I been in a difficult place of mind when something simple changed my focus? A touching incident, or an actual touch.


Out of the blue, my teenage son comes up to me . . . "Can I have a Momma hug?"  or "I haven't had my Momma hug in a while." Then, the best part—he wraps his strong lanky arms around me and squeezes me tight. 

For the brief minute this takes place I am transported to Momma Mountain, that restful place above the clouds where everything is fine and life is at its best. I am loved. I am nestled in God's arms through my son's. I linger there awhile.

I'm overwhelmed 'cause God lovingly chose me to be the Momma to four living wonders—servants of His in a world gone crazy. I realize that we did something right in raising these boys. I'm reminded that they all need hugs too.


Sometimes a hug is all you need. 

Sometimes a hug is all I need.

What Works Wednesday: How I Educated Myself

I already knew how to read when I entered first grade at St. James Elementary. In fact, I don't remember a time not being able to read, or write for that matter. Maybe it's just my poor memory, since I do have what seems to be years of my life that I cannot remember at all, or maybe it's because I'm already half-past the age toward self-destruct. But I don't want to go there . . .

This July 18th post I'm linking up with What Works Wednesday thanks to Upside Down Homeschooling:

 When my first child was born 26 years ago my husband gently brought up the subject of homeschooling—NOT! He matter-of-factly told me that we would homeschool. (It was kind of like the way he announced that we'd have our babies at home the year before.) His desire for homeschooling stemmed from his misadventures in public school education. He did not want his sons to have to go through what he did. I however, loved school, and used to play teacher to my younger sister, the student. I kind of liked the idea!

 My baby—the last of the bunch!

So, I  left nine years of registered nursing behind to embark on this new journey called boys and all that would come with it. My heavenly dreams of having a child finally materialized, but with my mind reeling and my heart skipping, there was a lot I needed to know, and quickly. I had a great desire to learn. I read numerous books. I interviewed people. I took classes. I discussed things with hubby, and the perfect plan ensued.

In time, I found myself as the nurturing Momma hen to four delightful boys (about three years apart in age). Our homeschool journey fascinated me. Having loved books and going to the library as a child, I adored taking the boys to check out books and we read aloud 'til they dropped off to sleep at night. And I discovered the classics that I had missed as a child (pretty much all of them) so I delightedly would read, while the child-in-me clapped at each book's end for an encore.

 Just about all grown up!

It dawned on me down the road, somewhere between consonant blends and algebra, that I was getting much more out of homeschooling than I'd realized. I had been educating myself right along with the boys! 

The history and geography I knew little of and hadn't liked in grade school, now caught my attention through the lively stories we read and fun activities we did. The arithmetic I had forgotten, reappeared with new meaning. Experiments pretty much just happened in our household and my love for nursing and the workings of the human body kept me on my toes fashioning unit studies using living books in many fascinating areas of science. The arts I enjoyed gave me opportunities to share with my sons and we ventured into new crafty areas. The creative writing I adored (needing much polish) opened doors for self-improvement as I learned many of the missing links in my English education. Bible studies came alive as we took from what we learned to make our lives more complete and useful with our new understanding of God's design for our lives and grace through Jesus Christ. 

Of course, parenting, being a homeschool Mom, and attempting to keep a marriage in swing was/is quite an education in itself.

I think there is a point here somewhere . . . You will learn what you have an interest in learning. Force feeding doesn't work. A child needs to be engaged to learn, just like we do as adults. Sure, I learned things and passed tests with As for many years growing up, but that information quickly left me. Last year I studied for four months every day and re-took my RN licensure exams and passed! I was stunned, but you know, I had some interest in the material, but did cram a lot in and that short-term memory study for a test didn't last too long. If I don't use the material much will be lost. We can expect the same from our kids.

Perceptions are important. Writing is not a school subject, it's a necessary life skill. Engaging children in such a way that appeals to them is a worthy goal in all subject areas. Embracing a child's learning style and individual abilities just adds more education to your life! 

Now that all my sons have graduated, homeschool hasn't ended for me, and it hasn't ended for them. In fact, my youngest son wasn't all gung-ho about the graduating aspect completing 12th grade at all. I thought it was a big thing—apparently not for him. He said he doesn't like the way some new grads he knows think that they've arrived somehow. For him the transition toward his future life is just another step in the learning game, as it should be. Every day brings something new and there is so much to learn! I like that mindset. And I admire and respect his perspective, so I didn't make a big deal of graduation (even though I wanted to).

We educate ourselves in our own ways. Just by living, we learn whether we want to or not. Make the most of it!

“I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope” (Psalm 16: 8, 9).

I think I've had a pretty good education thus far—thanks guys, for all you've taught me!  

Happy Homeschooling!

—KathyMarie

Thankful for the Drama in our Lives

Jeremie (as Anthony) and Hannah (as Johanna) 

sing a duet "Kiss Me" in the performance of the musical Sweeney Todd

Our lives are filled with drama! Not a week goes by that something doesn't catch us off guard and throw a wrench into our living-happily-ever-after existence. 

I'm thinking of the last several months . .  . brother-in-law dies an unexpected death; take a sad trip to Florida; local teen brothers die in a car wreck; purchase of new car (how we gonna pay?); homeschooling is officially over; son stays out too late; the nest is almost empty; I feel like a bad mother; diagnosis of an autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's thyroiditis); hubby could lose a second toe from a new infection; the air-conditioner breaks; saying good-bye to my beloved homeschool books on ebay; grasshoppers devour my garden; fires in Colorado . . . you get the picture.

Wouldn't it be cool to assume the identity of someone else—but for an evening, and take a breather? I think it would be very healthy. And it beats having to clear your mind (as in don't think at all) to avoid stress. But I'm not going to talk about the everyday life's drama here. Even though it has given us experiences in which to use while we perform on the big stage—if we choose to do so.

I'm thankful for our local theater, the Lyric Theater, and the wonderful people that make it possible that a starting out nobody kid can get a chance to act on stage, even get a lead role, and have a great time making new friends and exploring the wonders of music and drama, creativity, perseverance, and hard work.

 The Wig Maker (Jeremie, from Sweeney Todd)

While my youngest son Jeremie started out years ago by attending a Children's Workshop, he then got a part as the Grinch in Seusical the Musical (and won an award too), it wasn't until this last homeschool year that he really started to get involved. His 12th grade year encompassed many delight-directed activities including voice lessons, piano and guitar practice, singing duets with his lady friend, and writing songs. With three plays under his belt in the last year, The Wizard of Oz looms ahead in August. Can't wait to see it!

Ben has the best animated voices, and should look for work in that area! He took an acting workshop at age 15 where he wrote his own skit and performed it along with his classmates who had each written their own. He almost quit the class since he shared the stage with mostly older accomplished women, but he hung in there and learned lessons of a job well done and starting what you finish. His humorous and friendly personality shined. He was in South Pacific before he moved to another country (not really—only 1.5 hours away). And surprise! He won an award for young supporting actor for his performance! Bravo I say! 

Sometimes I feel bad in that I discouraged my sons when I should have been encouraging them in past years. I have since learned that mindset is VERY important! You can do what you put forth effort into learning. Simple. My sons have showed me that over and over.

South Pacific was a blast for Ben and Jeremie (the two shirtless sailors)

An on-the-shy-side homeschool kid his whole life, Gideon took a drama class at college his first year and had a blast there. It changed his personality—he lost his fear of people it seems (a good thing) and he just sort of blossomed into who he is today (an outgoing, adventurous, talented, and spontaneous 23 year old). He got the lead role of the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland (a phenomenal production) and seeing his cat-like slithering and mewing on stage was nothing short of delightful. I'm quivering as I remember him . . .

Gideon as Jack Sparrow (complete with accent) just for fun!
 

His love for acting didn't die when he left college. There was a stint when he worked for Olive Garden waiting tables and he'd have fun using different accents with the patrons (Russian, Australian, German, etc.) Most of them thought he was cute, clever, and divine, but at least one co-worker was jealous of the attention he got and complained. 

He was Captain Jack Sparrow on occasion and won two costume contests. He says that he stayed in character the whole time and that is mainly why he won. He had quite a following of smitten teeny boppers too! 

In real life, we often see the results of his theatrical mentality . . . he, his brother, and a number of friends just decided to sit down in the middle of Wal-Mart one night and play cards! What? Why the manager let them, I don't know!

Jeremie as Flute in A Midsummer Night's Dream

This was different. My son dressing up as a woman? Well, it's theater, after all. He played the part of a guy that reluctantly has to dress up and play the part of a woman in a play (sound familiar?) and I tell you, Flute added an element of hilarity that fit perfect among the other comical meanderings. He was hilarious! And gee, I finally got to have a daughter (for a few hours at least).

The benefits of participating in theater are many. Though I did a few small acting things in my early schooling days, I am not in theater at this stage of my life. But I have a love for the arts and grew up as a participant in audiences all over south Florida. I marvel at the way God used drama in our homeschool and am thankful for all its benefits to our family.

Get out of your comfort zone if you have to, but consider the whole array of arts as an adjunct to your homeschool experience. Exchange a little of life's natural drama for a fun experience of cultural characterization. Just run with it and see what happens.

P.S. Here's hubby dramatizing a bit at home in his "V" bike outfit where V frequently stands for vehicle or voracious, but also valiant!

Links to Inspire You and Your Kids to Write and Be Published

Learn More About Writing and Publishing

Looking for places where you or your kids can polish your skills and perhaps get published? Here are a few favorite sources and a few new ones I found to check out:

• WordPlay: Helping Authors Become Writers (A favorite!) Homeschool graduate and author, K. M. Weiland, has this outstanding and informative, award winning website.

• Jody Hedlund - Tips for Aspiring Writers Jody Hedlund, author and speaker, has a heart for encouraging and teaching aspiring authors.

• Mary DeMuth - Write Uncaged: Freebies Free electronic writing helps and get published resources from this Christian author and speaker.

• Homeschool Gazette Though no longer accepting submissions, you can find creative writings from homeschoolers and a lot of ideas to use. (This is our family's older website.)

• WriteShop Kid’s Corner - Writing links for Kids: Check out these links for more help and ideas.

• The Writer Magazine  Learn more about the craft of writing; I like the magazine.

• HSLDA Homeschool Contests  Enter Essay, Art, Photo, and Poetry contests. Read and view past winners for inspiration too.

• Young NanoWriMo Young National Novel Writing Month isn't so much a competition—rather a month long challenge to children to write a novel. If approved and they complete their word count in time, they can get a printed copy of their book.

• One Year Adventure Novel  Student writer’s contest open to licensed users of this program. We have a local homeschool family that highly recommends this creative program.

• Homeschool Writers – Writing Contests and Resources Try entering a writing contest!

• Home-School-Friendly Writing Contests for Students 

• Kids Are Authors Contest  Hosted by Scholastic. Grades K–8. Under the guidance of a project coordinator, children work in teams of three or more students to write and illustrate their own book. Deadline: 3-15-12 

Get Writing—Get Published! 

I was hoping to find many more homeschool  publications but here are a few links to check out:

• Apricot Pie A unique website designed by and for homeschoolers, where young people can post their stories, essays, poems, and photography. For homeschool students and graduates.

• Write Me a Story  A place where children can try their writing skills, share their imagination, read fun stories, and maybe even get published on the Internet! For students (11 and under) and teens (12 and older).

• Writing for Kids  A kid-friendly site that welcomes student writing samples. Send yours in and get published!

• The Kid’s Ark  Children’s Christian magazine - Geared to kids ages 4-12, quarterly 36 page, full-color, interactive magazine.

• PBS Kids Go!  Neat format for sharing stories, poems.

You Have Something Worth Saying—15 Ways to Embark on a Wild Writing Adventure

I had the privilege of sharing my experience with, and love for writing with our local homeschool group this week, along with several published authors. Below, I am sharing part of a handout I prepared (along with some commentary) to help young students.

Do you want to write and publish your work? Where do you begin?

15 Ways to Embark on a Wild Writing Adventure 

1. Believe in yourself, and be the peculiar person that God made you to be

 Everyone is unique. We all come from different backgrounds with special gifts, experiences and talents. Don't try to be someone you aren't—tap into your own creativity and style—making it your own.

2. Possess a growth mindset—you can learn and do what you put effort into

 I wish I had understood this much sooner in life, so I really want to emphasize this. Don't hinder yourself by thinking you cannot learn something—you most certainly can! Even the most talented and experienced people began at the bottom, putting forth a lot of patience and practice. If it's worth doing, don't limit yourself.

3. Think creatively—play with words and sentences and make it FUN

 Writing is hard work, but you can make it more fun if you view it creatively and lightheartedly. Enjoy the process of writing.

4. Write ‘til your hand and wrist hurts—NOT, but write every day you can

 Practice, practice, practice. The best writers got that way by doing what they love: writing.

5. If you have a brain freeze, write anyway, and see what surfaces

It happens sometimes. But there is a type of writing known as freewriting where you just write and see what comes. It could get you started to where you want to go.

6. Finish what you start (or play trashcan basketball with your paper wads)

It's a good idea to give each project your all, and then look toward the final edit where you can change it anyway you want. It just might be that it needs a new twist or a major overhaul, but your diligent attitude will pay off.

7. Keep breathing . . . and save editing until you get your thoughts down 

Spelling, grammar, the hard stuff . . . let it wait till you have something nice to work with. No one writes the perfect paper first time around.

8. Read a lot—including classics, and reach beyond your normal interests too

I did not know about the classics until I was a homeschooling teacher, and then I read aloud with my sons and read also on my own. Becoming well read will add a wonderful element to your overall writing experience, growth and knowledge base.

9. Read how-to books or web sites on the craft of writing

I'm going to do a post following this one with some favorite and new links that will greatly help you.

10. Be brave—share your work with others

Don't be shy, but most beginning writers are. Find a friend, family member, or small group of writers who will join forces to help each other improve and bounce ideas around.

11.  Listen to constructive feedback, even if it’s your mother (you don’t have to agree if you don’t want to)

It's your work, only make changes that you decide, but do listen to and respect your reader's comments.

12.   Be an inspiration to yourself and take a writing course (you might find out a lot more about who you really are)

You may not know what you are capable of until you stretch yourself into a new learning zone. Try it!

13. Enter a contest (you could win $$$) or submit your writing to a friendly market

Just start somewhere. Once you get a small (or big) effort published or known, you'll be spurred on to new writing heights.

14. Set goals, and plan out the steps to get to where you want to be, marking off little achievements as you go

Lists can be your best friends. Decide your plan and make it happen. You'll feel great as you get closer to your big goal, and when you do, celebrate!

15.   In everything, give thanks! (It could be worse you know—think Cinderella)

Attitude is everything. Did you know that God can take something that seems bad and turn it into something good? There are going to be trying days and hard times, but take heart and know that everything will work out in the end. You can do this!

  Think About It . . .  

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

—Philippians 4:8

"If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way."—Napoleon Hill

“Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream.” —Mark Twain

"So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads."  —Dr. Seuss

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself,

instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."
—Judy Garland

Tricks that Encourage Young Writers

I often hear from homeschooling moms who ask me how to motivate their kids to write and to enjoy writing. What is the trick, they want to know. There are a number of things that could contribute to their dilemma and many ways they can begin to implement good habits leading toward inspiring children to enjoy writing.

Writers learn by writing.

Perhaps young students have been pressured into writing before they were ready. Maybe the required writing activities held no real interest or meaning to the child. A lack of a good read-aloud diet and good oral skills could be the cause of immature language development. Kids are not made from a cookie cutter mold but there are some tricks (if you prefer to call them that) that will help your students become more interested and engaged in writing pursuits. Let's look at these closer.

Writers are comfortable writing.

Writing is hard work. Kids need plenty of time to get comfortable with writing—even the use of a crayon or pencil. Aren't most little kids pleased as punch with their new discovery in drawing (writing): You find your child's pictorial portrait on the wall or creative signature on the side of the house, crayon marks on the curtains, and marker stains on clothes and skin, etc. But some kids haven't had enough time to develop before they are suddenly required to make these neat little lines and circles and stay between the lines—and it's simply boring. Boring to those that already have a good grasp on things and boring and frustrating for those just starting to form letters and understand the process. Don't rush the process too soon if met with defiance.

When my guys were small most of them had a great vocabulary but slowly emerging writing skills. We did a lot of oral narration. I would write down what they dictated to me. This could be in the format of a letter to Grandma, a story that we made into a book, or a funny poem to be shared or just a retelling of something they learned or experienced. Oral "writing" is a prelude to the writing process. Once they get good at oral communication, the next step is getting what's in their brain onto their paper. Copywork can be used effectively here, as they copy what you have written down for them.

Writing takes patience and lots of practice. The best writers tell us the more they write the better they write. Give your kids time to practice their wonderful new language skills with plenty of encouragement. Help them brainstorm for ideas when appropriate. Editing is also a major part of writing which they learn as they go, but be careful, too much criticism too soon will only backfire. Let them get those thoughts down without worrying about spelling and correct punctuation just yet. Find positive things to say about a funny word or interesting thought or sentence that they used. Keep the atmosphere a lighthearted one.

Writers are good readers.

I mentioned a read-aloud diet. The avid reader is most always a better writer; they go hand in hand. I found this to be true in my own family. My oldest son learned to read early at age five, was fluent by seven, and adored reading. He was also a natural writer. The two middle boys were late readers who weren't fluent until ages 10 and 11. My last son was sort of average and in between the others but he was slower in language development—it just did not come easily to him. For all the boys, reading aloud offered them the ability to hear the words and gain proper grammar and excellent language syntax in which to base their internal linguistic processes. It all certainly pays off big time in creating a love for the written word and its capabilities. Kids who are not read to often and who may be less than great readers will most certainly be far behind their peers who are.

Writers are curious minded, and good communicators with many interests.

What excites your child and what interests do they have? How can you develop these into a writing passion? You don't want to stifle your child's natural curiosity and many kids get turned off in school subjects by having to digest and spit back endless amounts of information that have no real interest or meaning to them. I don't know who makes up those elementary scope and sequence charts or who writes those snippety texts, but I refused to follow their classroom focus. Instead search out real living exciting books that grab interest. Look for colorful language and stimulating detail about the subject matter. Let them get their hands dirty. It could make a huge difference in how your children view learning and their desire to learn more and to express themselves through words and writing about those interests. Hey, if you haven't given lapbooks a try, I highly encourage you to give it a whirl.

Writers write for a reason.

My boys always wanted to know the relevancy behind what I asked them to do. It wasn't good enough if I said, "because I said so," plus I could see their point. Why not make the things I asked them to do useful? What is relevant? How can I turn this writing assignment into something useful in the real world? After all, isn't that what I was preparing them for—the real world?

Writers need an audience.

Everyone has something to say, in their own unique voice. Keeping a journal is wonderful in and of itself and I certainly encourage kids to do this, however, it makes a big difference when they are able to share their writing and impact an audience other than themselves. Getting feedback on a job well done is important and the encouragement will spur them on to continue writing and consider other projects. There are many ways to do this, from reading a paper to Dad and sending a thank-you note, to getting a poem published in a magazine, or even publishing your own E-Book.

Over the years we made homemade books, wrote book reviews (Amazon.com and the local newspaper), started the Homeschool Gazette and participated in other newsletters for kids, wrote letters to family, sent anonymous Scripture notecards, made scrapbook pages, narrated, participated in homeschool classes, blogged, entered contests, wrote letters to the editor, made up written tests for friends and family, acted out stories, gave oral presentations, participated in a local theater workshop and wrote play scripts, wrote letters to companies about their products, and much more.

Writing is habit forming. 

Make it special, make it fun, and write everyday if possible. Enjoy, and remember that parents should share what they write with their children also. That's one of the best models children can have, to see Mom and Dad enthusiastically engaged in writing.

Writing is not a school activity, it's a lifestyle habit that is necessary, pleasurable, and rewarding.