SHARING HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

This holiday season offers so many opportunities:

• Reading fun holiday stories

• Watching classic holiday movies

• Listening to sounds of the season

• Creating gifts and decorations

• Tasting favorite family holiday cuisine

• Sleeping in a little

• Relaxing by a warm fire with a hot drink

These activities provide opportunities to capture solid holiday snapshots, and we’d love to see some of yours. Would you be willing to share some of your fun moments this holiday season?

We are a community of individuals journeying together to bring quality education--with a focus on communication--to our families. Even as we take a break and relax our academic routine for the holidays, we never cease to practice communication skills: reading, writing, and discussing. We always love to see pictures of your family’s educational journey, but there’s no time like the holidays to capture your unique journey.

We are not looking for picture-perfect shots. We’re looking for REAL LIFE! Whatever that looks like for your family, we would love a glimpse. Your picture(s) may or may not have people in them. Creations, decorations, actions (both work and play), disasters, etc. These all reflect real life. The holiday season naturally offers unique, engaging scenes of the raw beauty of family life.

Visit our social media platforms to share your holiday happenings with The Write Journey community. In this way, we build connections, and connections will result in support and encouragement for all.

Written by: Kris Cordell

WRITING STRATEGIES BEYOND THE PAGE

We did it! You did it! Our first Adult Training Program class was a huge success. We ALL learned so much, and we are excited for “next steps”. We’ll be offering some ongoing training modules for the adults who completed the Foundations class this semester, and we’ll be offering the Foundations class to a whole new group of adults. We hope you’ll join us. Contact our home office (916-696-1759) for more information about this opportunity.

For those who understand the writing methods that we teach, we have some suggestions as to how you might work with your students to practice these writing steps and strategies in creative ways during the holiday season:

Brainstorm creative topics:

•  What should we bake today?

•  What fun holiday movie should we watch tonight?

•  Who do you want to take a plate of goodies to?

•  Where might we take our family holiday picture this year?

•  What gift would you like to get for your dad, mom, sister, etc?

Remember brainstorming requires a thorough exploration of all possible ideas, so don’t let your children off the hook with only their first ideas.

Outlining is all about organization, so try some fun organizing opportunities:

•  Craft containers, drawers: pencils, crayons, paper, glue sticks, etc.

•  Baking ingredients: dry, wet, utensils and pans

•  Mail: holiday cards, junk mail, important mail

•  Games or game closet

•  Closets and clothes drawers, pulling out those items that can be given

  away to organizations who assist needy families

Journal:

Some of your favorite holiday experiences, sights, sounds, smells

Write stories:
Include holiday themes of giving, winter, family time together

Write poetry:
Short writing with rhythm and rhyme

Send a letter to a relative or special friend
Make sure your children use their best penmanship

Rewrite:
You get to decide how much assessing, correcting, and rewriting are beneficial during this season. You may decide that rewriting is only necessary for special projects that will be shared with others. Encourage writing and feel free to omit the work of rewriting for a short season.

I bet you can’t wait to have fun helping your children practice our writing steps and strategies in creative ways this holiday season . . . even I’m excited for you and your children. Let the fun begin.

Written by: Kris Cordell

HOLIDAY FUN: WE CALL IT SCHOOL

Years ago, as a parent, and now, as a grandparent, I love the opportunity to create an educational environment in my home. And what better time of year to do that than the holidays?!

Since the time I began teaching our classes (over 17 years ago), we have always wrapped up our final class days just prior to Thanksgiving. Then we begin again in January of the new year. But for two months we take a break from many of the school routines that have kept us in check over the fall months. Perhaps you feel the need for some change in your routines. Or maybe you’re just settling into your routines, and that’s fine too. Whichever the case for you, now is a time to create memories and give yourself and your children permission to think outside the box. What might that look like? You tell me. I know you and your children have great ideas and opportunities to create, engage, enjoy, give . . . all the while learning. Here are some ideas to get your creative mental ball rolling:

• Baking, building, sewing - all these (and more) require reading and mathematics

• Painting, sketching, coloring, stitching - all these (and more) develop fine motor skills and an eye for beauty

• Singing, playing instruments, listening to holiday tunes - all these (and more) lift spirits and energize or relax bodies

• Decorating, making gifts, playing with friends/siblings, cleaning and organizing, serving the needy - all these (and more) promote productive life skills and moral character.

For a few weeks in late November and December, my children and I enjoyed a later start to our school days, and we focused on holiday themed reading and writing along with a math lesson. That simple plan left hours each day for creative learning and memory making. I know how heavy all of life can feel, especially the years of overseeing the educational needs of young (even teen) children. Trust me when I say it’s okay to take it easy for a bit. Education includes so much more than formal curriculum. It includes new experiences and opportunities to enjoy life and serve others.

Whatever your family beliefs, the holiday season holds deep meaning and abundant opportunities for you to connect with each other in meaningful ways, imparting your values to your children. We all know this season is not about the gifts, but we sometimes get caught up in the demands and expectations anyway. Remember to speak life to yourself, your family, your friends, and even strangers.

•  Let’s take some time to write down ideas about how we can enjoy this season.

•  Let’s invest in relationships before spending on purchases.

•  As we make plans, we will hold our plans loosely knowing that flexibility often limits stress.

• We’ll model joy as we reflect on the true meaning of the holiday season, and we’ll recognize and affirm our families as they do the same . . . in small ways.

• We’ll end each day thankful for something and/or someone.

That’s a good start. Perhaps you’ll add to the list of affirmations and choose what speaks life into your soul. Then you’ll be ready to jump into the holiday season with both feet.

Speaking life, Kris

Written by: Kris Cordell

CONTAGIOUS GRATITUDE IN SMALL BLESSINGS

November always begins with a whirlwind and flurry of activity for me. Plans and good intentions fall to the reality that my commitment plate is full, which means my energy tank feels depleted. However, one sure-fire way to bring a healthy perspective back into focus in my life involves a great conversation with friends or family about my MANY blessings. Two weeks ago, my daughter and I had the privilege of attending the opening night of our local symphony orchestra in our new hometown of Charleston, WV. My all-time favorite symphony, Scherezade, was on the playbill. Both of us had tears streaming down our faces at the sheer beauty of the music artfully and masterfully played. However, my most cherished memory comes out of the conversation of my daughter’s awe and wonder that we would be so blessed to be able to attend the event, sitting in the presence of such skillful musicians. I must admit, I had missed the magnitude of the blessing until that moment. I vowed to pay better attention right then.

I know I could write pages about my needs, struggles, or complaints. But I could write VOLUMES about my blessings. My life overflows with the blessings of living in this nation and sharing life with my family and friends. In particular, I often reflect on the blessing of a quality education. Do you know the difference between a first world country and a third world country? Education. The main question is: Can the majority of a nation’s citizens afford to purchase a book that they have the education to read? WOW!

A book. I have shelves and shelves. So many in fact that my cross-country move involved the calculation of multiple boxes of books, and the reality that leaving many behind meant re-purchasing later. Perhaps you have vast amounts of books as well. In every story I read, I find specific instances to feel grateful. If the main character has a serious conflict, I may feel grateful that I don’t have the same problems. If I read a happy conclusion in a story, I think about the joyful ways some of my experiences turned out.

How can we practice an attitude of gratitude with reading? We can be intentional. We can decide to look for opportunities to notice the blessings. As you read together this month, you might want to answer a few questions centered around a thankful heart. Here are some examples:

•  What happened in the story that you are glad you didn’t have to experience?

• What blessings did the character have in his/her life? Can you relate?

• What about that story/article makes you feel thankful?

  Additionally, your family can practice creating your own gratitude literature . . . establishing a rhythm of noticing the blessings. Here are some ideas:

• Write thank you notes to family members.

• Make a gratitude tree, where each leaf lists something for which a person feels grateful.

• Write simple poetry expressing thankfulness.

• Sit over a warm beverage, recalling your fondest memories of each family

  member, including those present and those who have passed.

• Create a journal of gratitude.

• Fill a “gratefulness jar” with slips of paper containing your cherished blessings.

  This month, I pray your family has fun expressing joy and thankfulness, and truly experiencing a heart of gratitude.

  Written by: Julie Snyder

SPRING SEMESTER CLASSES- REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!

We selected the Spring Semester theme and novels for each class! Follow this link for all of the details by Learning Level and grade.

Pioneering and Adventure Stories

Primary Grades:
TK/K Class (pre-writers): Mrs. Audra Sterrett Various books and stories

First Writers
(1st & 2nd grade):Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 am PST Ms. Gina Jacobs
Twister on Tuesday (Magic Tree House, No 23) by Mary Pope Osborne

Elementary Grades:

Intro to Writing Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:30-11:30 am (3rd & 4th grade): Mrs. Lauren Elmendorf
Little House in the Big Woods
by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Beginning Writing Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 (5th & 6th grade) Mrs. Sheila Bradley

Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 am PST
Sign of the Beaver
by Elizabeth George Speare

OR

Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 am PST Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

Intermediate Grades:
Intermediate Writing Tuesdays 12:30-2:30, Wednesdays & Thursdays (7th & 8th grade):

Tuesdays 12:30-2:30 pm PST
Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen  with Mrs. Sheila Bradley
OR

Wednesdays & Thursdays 9:30-11:30 am PST Hattie Big Sky
by Kirby Larson  with Mrs. Meagan Stanley

High School and College Prep grades: 

Advanced Writing: Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 am PST (9th-12th grade): Ms. Cathy Austefjord
The Pioneers by David McCullough

College Prep Thursdays 9:30-11:30
(Honors 11th & 12th grade): Ms. Cathy Austefjord  The Pioneers
by David McCullough
‘Various Historical Documents’
mentioned in the text

Basic Writing Courses: Some late semester dates/times may vary

Basic Writing Level 1 Feb 3-24, Mar 3-24, or April 5- May 3

Basic Writing Level 2 Mar 3-24, Mar 31- Apr 28, or May 5-26

Basic Writing Level 3 Mar 31-April 28, or May 5-26

Basic Writing Level 4 (High School Academic Essay) Jan 18-Apr 5

Head over to the website to see the days and times for each class!