FINDING “EDUCATIONAL” OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MIDST OF UNCERTANITY

In this world of cyber everything, we welcome you to our community – The Write Journey Community. Together we explore life. In particular, we explore “education”, and all that education encompasses: academics, character, critical thinking, creativity, inclusion, etc. Education encompasses ALL aspects of life because education is about learning. Consider this definition of education: “the imparting and acquiring of knowledge through teaching and learning . . . “.

Perhaps we’ve come to think of education as something that happens “at school” – with “experts” “teaching” children and youth. But the past couple of years have challenged many to rethink the meaning of education, or at least to question the high calling of education, including who is best equipped to oversee your child’s educational experience. The world of education has been shaken up. I venture to say it’s still shaking for many individuals – adults and children alike. As a result, we choose to see new opportunities:

•  Thinking outside the norms

•  Pursuing balance

•  Engaging a variety of platforms

•  Validating the individual

 Perhaps most importantly: Finding our voice

These represent just a few of the opportunities we can choose to explore, as a result of the shaking . . . and even the breaking. We are here for you and your children. We are a part of the solution. We affirm your choices. We strive to show up responsibly for our children – your children.

At TWJ, we find excitement in the possibilities, as we partner with parents and educators to bring the absolute best language arts education to all children. With spring in the air, we plant the seeds of compassion, collaboration, and community as we consider defining “education” anew. Let the planting begin.

Educating together, Kris

WHAT DO I HEAR WHEN I LISTEN?

Spring is officially here. Spring often speaks of “new life”, “longer days”, “warmer temperatures”, and “planting”.

What does spring speak to you of? Whatever it is, take a few minutes to validate it. Perhaps you’ll even take a few minutes to write down your thoughts and feelings about spring. That may sound like a silly proposition, but it’s not. Your first response may be to tell yourself:

•  My life is so busy, I don’t have 15 minutes to write about how I feel or what I think.

•  It seems silly, or juvenile, or wasteful, or . . . (fill in the blank) to write about “What spring speaks to me of”.

 I have no clue what “spring speaks to me of”. (Thanks for your honesty!)

And while I place zero amount of pressure upon anyone to do so, I’m wondering if there might be something therapeutic in saying, “Okay. I’m going to sit down for 15 minutes and write down my reflections about ‘What spring speaks to me of.’” If you’d like an audience to share your thoughts with, I’d be honored to listen. Just listen. Not judge. Just listen.

Spring speaks to me of warmer days, but the reality is, today, as I write this piece (3/12), I’m sitting here in Virginia looking out the window at a snowstorm! It’s beautiful, but it’s nowhere near “warmer days”. Last week on the other hand did usher in warmer days. So, spring reminds me that each day brings surprises of its own, and I do well to welcome the surprises and not impatiently wish the snowstorms away, because those warmer days lead to “hot” days – melting hot. And then I’ll be anticipating the cooler days of fall.

So, on this almost spring day, I am grateful:

•  For seasons that change

•  For feeling warm and feeling cool

•  For some things to come to an end, so new things can sprout up

•  For 15 minutes to still my body and let my mind reflect

  Here’s to spring. Speaking life,
  Kris krisspeakslife@gmail.com

REAL CONNECTION WITH REAL PEOPLE

Connecting is one of life’s most important and meaningful endeavors, and I love connecting with the parents who are participating in our Adult Training Program. While this program is in its infancy, it has been birthed, and it is growing. Do you, like me, recall the days of cradling your infant in your arms and feeling intense joy . . . and overwhelming uncertainty? In some ways, that’s how I feel about this Adult Training Program: intense joy and overwhelming uncertainty. But just like my four babies grew to be beautiful independent humans, I have complete confidence that our Adult Training Program will mature into a program that will bless many families.

I am grateful to the moms who joined me this month on zoom to chat about how the writing methods they learned through our pilot training program are blessing them and their children. Amen! That’s what matters: equipping and empowering parents to support their children as they learn how to think well and write well. As we explore many options for moving forward with this program, I know one thing: connecting with these adults will be a priority. I need to know what you need to know. In this way we work together to bring quality language arts instruction to your family and to your educational community.

Let’s connect so I can answer your questions. With convention season upon us, I plan to host several Q & A zoom sessions to give parents more than a glimpse of this program. I know you need details, so I’ll do my best to provide those details when I meet with you. You have two options in April:

•  Tuesday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. EST

• Thursday, April 14 at 4:00 p.m. EST

  (IMPORTANT: Always pay close attention to the time zone because we have families from every time zone participating in our online meetings and classes.)

  Simply send me an email (kriscordell@thewritejourney.net) to let me know you’d like to be included in one or both of the scheduled meetings. We’ll connect using zoom, so I’ll send a zoom link about 30 minutes before the meeting time. Feel free to send me your questions in advance, or simply show up and join in the conversation as it occurs. I can’t wait to see you in April!

  On journey together, Kris

SNEAK PEAK OF WHAT LIES AHEAD

Enjoying Today/Anticipating Tomorrow

At TWJ we have been busy getting ready for . . . the future!

•  Convention season and meeting many new families

•  Enrichment classes starting in April - so much fun

•  Our brand new Writing Foundations Student Workbook!! (Coming in April)

•  More great handbooks (Early Writer’s Handbook, Blending Literature with Writing

  Handbook, Multi-paragraph Essay Writing Handbook, etc) to support our

  community

•  The lazy days of summer - making memories

•  And yes, we are even getting ready for the best start to the new school year this

  fall!

That is just a glimpse of what’s coming, and you don’t want to miss a thing, so I’m glad you’re staying informed by reading our newsletter. In addition, I hope you are following us on Instagram and Facebook too. We want to include everyone.

If you plan to attend one of the following homeschool conventions, be sure to stop by and say “Hi”:

•  GHC Greenville, SC 3/17-19

•  TTD Pigeon Forge, TN 5/5-7

•  Thrive Winston/Salem, NC 5/26-28

•  HEAV Richmond, VA 6/9-11

Perhaps we’ll see you in person, but if not, we love connecting with you in whatever way works best for you.

Here’s to the future! Kris C.

ENRICHMENT CLASSES 2022

In the last several weeks of the school year, students feel the tug of the change of seasons from dismal to pleasant weather. Spring fever hits, and the desire to enjoy the warm sunshine grows. However, we still want to make the most of our final weeks of classes. We designed our 2022 Enrichment Classes to help you finish the year with a flourish!

We offer classes for all ages and stages, most of which meet once weekly for five weeks. While our regular classes focus on formal academic writing and literature, our Enrichment Classes explore other types of writing, which allows students to find an adventure in a new writing pursuit.

Below you will find a list of our Enrichment Classes. If you would like more information on dates, times & cost ( charter funds accepted ) click the button below to head over to our class schedule!

Primary Level Students ( Grades TK-2)

• Storytime Live

• Nature Journaling

Elementary Level Students ( Grades 3-6)

• Nature Journaling

• Grammer Basics A

• Creative Writing

• Accelerated Writing Foundations

Intermediate Level Students ( Grades 7-8)

• Grammer Basics B

• Creative Writing

• Novel Writing Workshop

• Accelerated Writing Foundations

Advanced Level Students ( 9-12)

• Grammer Basics B

• Creative Writing

• Novel Writing Workshop

• Accelerated Writing Foundations

We are always available to walk you through any questions you may have regarding TWJ. Please feel free to contact us at the home office to answer any of your questions!