Bravewriter classes - thoughts?

[momsuz123]

I just bought the Bravewriter The Writer's Jungle. I started reading it all today - I love what I am reading so far!! I have been looking at the Bravewriter blog, forum, etc. Have any of you done the classes before? What do you think? I am thinking about it for my 9 y/o dd.

 

Thanks!

[Annie Laurie]

I have been wondering about this too. The thing that keeps stopping me is the price for a 6 weeks or so workshop.I understand that many are supposed to teach the parent too, and provide tools you can use forever, but my kid wants interaction and feedback from someone besides me, so it seems like we need to sign up for semester long courses.

[MerryAtHope]

About 5 or so years ago I took a Copywork/Dictation class for $99, and it was very worthwhile for me. I don't see it on the current list, so I'm not sure if it's still offered. (I know it changed names and the price increased--and that would have put it above my price range, as $99 was really pushing it for me). In the class I took, I asked a lot of questions and received a lot of answers; however, a friend took the same class the next year and the instructor had started having some people contact her for private consultations (for a fee) instead. That particular instructor (Rita) was very helpful for students with learning disabilities, and it may be that questions went beyond the scope of the class...still, I was disappointed to hear that and it's made me more hesitant to recommend that class, though again it really helped me in teaching my children.

 

I also sat in on a kidswrite class once for free (I was considering becoming an instructor). It was a quality class (it covers a lot of the same material that is in the Writer's Jungle). Both the parent and the child will receive feedback--when you post your child's writing, the feedback will be on that, and when you post questions, you'll get responses as well. You also get to read other parents' questions and the responses. I think the Intermediate and Advanced classes are directed more toward the student.

 

I'd probably consider a class if I had that kind of budget. I just need more than a 6 week class for $200. My husband is disabled and I work part time, so it's just not really feasible for our budget. But I thought the instructors were very helpful and that the feedback was good.

 

Not sure if this helps! Merry :-)

[LLMom]

I love Bravewriter! I have taken several of the classes for parents: copywork/dictation, freewriting, nature study. I have had two children take the Kid's write basic class. I was impressed, and they like it as well. They are a bit pricey, though.

[momsuz123]

Thanks all. I did sign her up now for the Kids Write Basic class. I agree it is a little pricey, but I am looking at it as a class for myself and my oldest dd. Maybe, I can learn enough from it then to teach my other kids. I really like the Bravewriter style that I am reading/learning about.

[Vida Winter]

We have been pleased with Bravewriter classes. No experience with the beginning courses but my older dd has taken a few of the high school level courses (Expository essay, SAT prep, Research paper). Depending on the topic the classes are very different, all short and intense, on the expensive side, but worthwhile.

[tammyw]

My daughter took the Just So Stories class and I thought it was really good. It was four weeks at $200, with basically one assignment per week. It is expensive, yes. At approximately $50/week, it's very pricey. But maybe you will get a better idea of how to teach future lessons if you take one and learn that way. I do plan to have her take more in the future, but at the cost of them, it will definitely won't be on a regular basis. Hope that helps.