The Writer’s Garret
for those who just want to write!
Like podcasts? Here are a few I recorded with Lisa Mladinich at Homeschool Connections!
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The Writer’s Garret Blog
Come chat with me here (coming soon)! Some of my posts are refreshed from years past, but new ones are added, too.
Interested in creative writing? Try one of these ideas:
- Consider joining my new writers critique group, Inklings Too!
- The One-Year Adventure Novel, by Daniel Schwabauer
- The Creative Writer, by Boris Fishman
- Cover Story, by Daniel Schwabauer
- Bravewriter classes with Julie Bogart
- Journal Sparks, by Emily K. Neuburger
- Writer’s Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You, by Ralph Fletcher
- Poetry Matters: Writing a Poem from the Inside Out, by Ralph Fletcher
- Live Writing: Breathe Life into Your Words, by Ralph Fletcher
- How Writers Work: Finding a Process that Works for You, Ralph Fletcher
- Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul, by Canfield, Hansen, and Gardner
- The Writer’s Idea Book, by Jack Heffron
- NaNoWriMo Young Writer’s Program: https://ywp.nanowrimo.org/
Here’s some other fun ideas to help feed the creative writer’s soul!
- beautiful notebooks and journals for recording all one’s creative musings, such as those from Rifle Paper Co., Poetic Earth, and Galison. Many people love the Moleskine line, too!
- special pens and colored utensils, such as those from Levenger and art supply stores
- books of inspiration and encouragement, such as Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul
- lap desk, perfect for those who like to write on a chair, their bed, or the ground
- magazines for kids by kids, such as Stone Soup and Teen Ink
- craft ideas for literary buffs, such as bookmaking. Try Handmade Books for Everyday Adventures, by Erin Zamrzla.
So what do you do when you want to spend your life inside your creative mind? Here are a number of careers and jobs just for writers. Take a look…and don’t be afraid to dream a little. The future is waiting just ahead.
- book or magazine writer (of course!)
- journalist
- book or periodical editor
- English professor or teacher (like me!)
- advertising copywriter (You know all those billboards and ads in the newspaper? Someone actually got paid for writing those!)
- copyeditor or proofreader (If you are a grammar buff, these are the jobs for you!)
- Need more ideas? Here you go: Careers for Bookworms and Other Literary Types, by Marjorie Eberts and Margaret Gisler
Interested in learning the art of non-fiction writing?
Try my courses just for teens!
Need a different kind of writing curriculum from the one I offer? Here are others I admire!
- Bravewriter courses from Julie Bogart
- Classical Composition from Memoria Press
- The Lost Tools of Writing from the Circe Institute
- Byline, by Daniel Schwabauer
- Classical Writing series
- The Complete Writer Series from Peace Hill Press
- WriteSource series (classroom resource but homeschool friendly)
What to do about grammar? Try one of these options:
- Try my Grammar Matters course!
- My top favorite textbook program: Warriner’s English Grammar & Composition (out of print but worth the search)
- English Grammar & Recitation series from Memoria Press
- Fix-it! Grammar from Institute of Excellence in Writing (This is useful for applying grammar, usage, and mechanics concepts taught in traditional lessons.)
- The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, by Jane Straus
- The Magic Lens, by Michael Clay Thompson
Spelling instruction is a struggle for many homeschool families, and there was a time that I sought a good spelling program myself. Today, I no longer favor formal spelling programs and would not consider one unless I had a child who really struggled with spelling. For children who have a more natural aptitude for spelling, I suggest another plan that I’ve detailed below. But still…what if you want a formal program anyway? Here are some good possibilities that I came across during my homeschool years:
- Spelling Skills series, by Harcourt (Flash Kids workbooks) — This is the only series I used with my kids, before their natural spelling prowess made it unnecessary. It teaches spelling rules, which are important.
- Spelling Power, by Beverly L. Adams-Gordon
- Natural Speller, by Kathryn Stout
- Spelling Workout series, by Modern Curriculum Press
- My Catholic Speller series, by Nancy Nicholson
- Traditional Spelling series, by Cheryl Lowe
Here’s my favorite method of spelling instruction! Please note that my own kids were all pretty natural spellers, so I don’t know if this would have worked as well if they struggled; however, it might be worth a shot if it helps you condense your curriculum overall.
- First, establish a strong foundation in phonics, both in reading and writing.
- Second, teach the basic rules of English spelling, such as “‘i’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’…”. I found the Harcourt Flashkids Spelling Skills workbook series useful for these skills and used the series for several years; however, I skipped or skimmed anything in the lessons that my kids didn’t need.
- After the above two steps are done–or in tandem with them–set up the “Tissue Box Spelling” method. I didn’t invent it, but I wish I had. It’s easy and almost free! I have used this successfully with two children. Follow these steps:
A. Empty a tissue box and let the student decorate it. Also, buy a pack of 3×5 index cards and cut them in half.
B. Whenever your student misspells a word, write it on a card.
C. Select a set number of words each day for your student to practice. They can be specifically chosen or randomly picked.
D. Every week, quiz the student on a set number of words. You can choose the words for quizzing or let your student choose. Place a checkmark in the top right corner of the card when the student is correct.
E. After 3-5 such successful quizzes, record the word as mastered and let the student have the satisfaction of ripping up the card! (Be sure to record the words mastered, though!) Alternatively, put the card away for a future retention review.
Vocabulary is another sub-discipline that we often feel needs a formal program, but adding one can overwhelm an already packed curriculum. How can you condense if you feel you can’t add another thing?
- Why not do “Tissue Box Vocabulary” too? Here’s how I did it:
A. Empty a tissue box and let the student decorate it. Also, buy a pack of 3×5 index cards and cut them in half.
B. Whenever you come across a word that you feel your student needs to learn, write it on one side of a card. Then have your student practice dictionary skills by looking up the word and copying the part of speech and definition onto the back of the card. If a word has multiple definitions, tell your student choose the one that matches the word’s usage in the book. You may need to simplify the definition for your student.
C. Have the student select a set number of words each day to practice. They can be specifically chosen or randomly picked.
D. Every week, quiz the student on a set number of words that either you or your student selects. The student should spell the words, recite their parts of speech and definitions, and use the words correctly in an original sentence that shows they understand the meaning. Place a checkmark in the top right corner of the card when the student is correct.
E. After 3-5 such successful quizzes, record the word as mastered and let the student have the satisfaction of ripping up the card! (Be sure to record the words mastered, though!) Alternatively, put the card away for a future retention review.
What if you really want or need a formal vocabulary program, though? Perhaps you want to make sure your student knows the roots of English to facilitate faster vocabulary development, or maybe your student is approaching an important standardized test. Here are some programs I admire:
- Vocabulary from Classical Roots series, by Educators Publishing Service (EPS)
- Roots of English, by Memoria Press
- The Book of Roots, by Memoria Press
- Rummy Roots and More Roots games, by Eternal Hearts
Here are some of my top suggestions for books about academic and/or formal writing. These would be good additions to every student-writer’s library!
- The Elements of Style, by William Strunk and E.B. White (most recent edition, as language changes!)
- The Elements of Grammar, by Margaret Shertzer (most recent edition)
- Guide to Rapid Revision, by Daniel D. Pearlman and Paula R. Pearlman (most recent edition)
- The Gregg Reference Manual (more thorough than the previous three), by William A. Sabin (most recent edition)
- The Little Red Writing Book: 20 Powerful Principles of Structure, Style, and Readability, by Brandon Royal
- Writers Inc.: A Student Handbook for Writing and Learning, by Sebranek, Kemper, and Meyer
But you know, sometimes you just want to kick back with someone else and have some fun. Here are some literary games that might be just the thing!
- Literati–vocabulary game that requires players to make up stories about the words they draw (Levenger)
- Orijinz–guessing game about the origins of words, expressions, and quotes
- You’ve Been Sentenced!–a fun, fast, and silly card came that relies on grammar knowledge
- Story Cubes–imagination sparkers for creative writing; roll the cubes and use the images that appear to tell a story
- Balderdash–bluff with words, fool your opponents!
- And of course, the old-fashioned favorite card game, Authors!
Once Upon a Pen 