Brave Writer questions

[RobinL in Canada]

Could anyone give me an idea of what BW courses are like? What is the approach to teaching writing? I have used adaptations of IEW and other classical elements for years in writing classes I teach, but l'm wondering how BW may differ from those approaches. Thanks for any thoughts.

[serendipitous journey]

bump. board member farrarwilliams has posted a good deal about Bravewriter, you could look for her posts or perhaps PM her.

[siloam]

I love her book on writing (Jungle Writier I think), changed how I think on teaching writing. When I tired to use the LA it was a little unstructured and lite for me. But I only used it at the lower levels...The Arrow I think it is called. If you are aware of different philosophies, it is Ruth Beechick in style. She basically was very focued on reading and immitating language and covering things as they came up naturally. All my kids are pretty concrete thinkers, by that I mean we need to see the big picture, then coveer things one step at a time to mastery. The random feeling of not covering the same thing till it was mastered is what I think did us in.

[RobinL in Canada]

I love her book on writing (Jungle Writier I think), changed how I think on teaching writing. When I tired to use the LA it was a little unstructured and lite for me. But I only used it at the lower levels...The Arrow I think it is called. If you are aware of different philosophies, it is Ruth Beechick in style. She basically was very focued on reading and immitating language and covering things as they came up naturally. All my kids are pretty concrete thinkers, by that I mean we need to see the big picture, then coveer things one step at a time to mastery. The random feeling of not covering the same thing till it was mastered is what I think did us in.

 

 

Thanks. Could you give me some idea of how the program proceeds, or some idea of assignments?

[Walking-Iris]

Bravewriter doesn't give assignments. The idea is that you would incorporate the Bravewriter Lifestyle into your week. So Freewriting is the big one. Usually on a Friday your child would freewrite. And then you would perhaps pick one or two of those a month to take through the writing process. A big chunk of TWJ is about the editing/revision process. The rest of the week you would focus on the copywork/dictation/narration method. Arrow guides give a long weekly dictation to work with from a read aloud for that month. So the Arrows somewhat function as little lit study guides, as there are discussions of the literary elements and grammar from that book in them. It concludes with a writing activity.

 

The idea is to do one main writing project a month going through the writing process, instead of a lot of disjointed assignments. The weekly freewrite helps your child write without pressure and to find their writer's voice and experiment with different writing forms. Grammar and spelling can be learned through dictation (she gives ideas on how to pick your own, I just use WWE and the Arrow for that), but she writes that it is totally acceptable to use a separate grammar and spelling program.

 

There are plenty of examples for writing projects (not assignments--there's even a chapter titled Dumb Assignments) in the appendix of TWJ and in JotItDown (for younger kids). You can use TWJ in conjunction with another writing program. There's tips in how to make an assignment in another program better. Topic Funneling is what she calls it.

 

I can't speak for the online courses, as I haven't done one.

 

The program proceeds by writing development as a child grows. BW calls the phases Jot it Down (5-8), Partnership Writing(9-10),Faltering Ownership(11-12),transition to Ownership(13-14),The Great Conversation(15-18) and Fluency (college-adult). There are examples of activities appropriate for each age.

 

I wouldn't agree that the approach is Beechick. I've read a bit of Ruth Beechick's stuff and it doesn't really feel like that. I would say it's more definitely Charlotte Mason and a lot of Peter Elbow. But it's also it's own approach since I haven't seen anything else that speaks of writing as developmental phases and a lifestyle. I like it because it's natural. It takes writing out of the realm of some school-ish subject needing to be taught and into the realm of just regular life. I don't feel it's random. It's a very organized book and program. You just have to read TWJ and let it sink in to see how organized it is. Routine is stressed over schedules and assignments or grade level.

[RobinL in Canada]

Thank you. I'm still unclear about how it would teach essay writing --ie, what's in the high school-level book. My youngest is 14/ going into gr 9 and is a natural writer who loves words (sometimes a little too much ;) ) He's working on essay writing at present and has a pretty good grasp of it. I was wondering what might be different/ unique re BW's approach to teaching the essay to see if there's anything I would like to incorporate in my writing instruction.

 

The younger writing levels don't sound as if they would work all that well with many of the kids I teach--they have a tough time with spelling/ slow handwriting, so free writing would frustrate them as they don't like to write without knowing how to spell words. Also, asking them to write off the top of their heads seems too challenging too--that's why IEW has worked quite well. I just wish I could find something that *would* inspire *some* writing without source texts.

[Walking-Iris]

Well Bravewriter is supposedly good for the reluctant writer. I don't have one of those, so I can't say how it works with a kid who doesn't like to write. Freewriting isn't "off the top of their heads". You use writing prompts. But they are free to get the words down in any way they choose. So instead of saying write a 5 sentence paragraph about xyz, they are free to write about that particular prompt in list format, as a story, as a descriptive paragraph, as a persuasive paragraph, as a poem...whatever. I let my ds write as long as he likes. But BW suggests setting a timer for the reluctant writer. Just pencils moving until then and then praise and finding something great about that writing. She even suggests that the student doesn't even have to read it or show you if they don't want to. And then have them pick one or two after some weeks of writing to take through the revision process. The thing is it's *their* writing, not an assignment. And I have seen my ds have a sense of pride and love of ownership with his writing since starting this.

 

About spelling or handwriting ,you could type it instead. Also working on dictation and copywork throughout the week will encourage handwriting practice. She suggests that you can use a separate spelling program, I do. But the point of freewriting is to NOT get it right the first time. Or to even ever make it right. And I feel that it is a very good learning opportunity to teach kids that all writing need not be spotless and perfect. That not all writing deserves the editing/revision process. Just take these forums as an example. Some of the posts would hardly make the grade. But that is the secret of BW. Writing as a natural part of a lifestyle. And I agree that when kids feel that writing is a school subject and needs to be a certain way, perfect, to be considered good...then yeah it kills the interest and joy.

 

About reports and essays. Well there's where your 1 writing project a month comes into play. Instead of a bunch of mediocre assignments, BW has them exploring their writer's voice in freewriting, honing their skills with copywork and dictation, and then each month focusing on one writing project. (Creative or otherwise). There is advice in how to take a dull writing prompt such as "describe life in the frontier" or some other boring school-ish thing, and then learning how to topic funnel, to zero in on a specific interest in that topic. To narrow it. And then they research, write, revise/edit, revise/edit again, add some of their creative writer's voice, and so on. To work to take it through the writing process and even into a typed final product. If you dedicate yourself to 1 assignment this way, you'll have had 10 completed projects at the end of the year. Not to mention all the weekly freewrites. That's a lot of writing done nearly effortlessly.

 

I can't say what is in the Help for High School book because I'm not there yet. But if you're looking for a step by step formulaic plan for essay writing, BW won't have that. But TWJ is a parent guide, it can teach anyone how to make their current writing program even better. BW can be (but isn't necessarily set up to be) a stand alone writing program.

[RobinL in Canada]

Thanks for all the information. In terms of some classes I teach to younger children (ages 10-14), their parents really want them to learn about more formal writing, but it's possible they might be open to these sorts of ideas. It's the kids themselves who get uptight about bad spelling,etc, but for some reason their parents have held off on spelling and grammar instruction. My older co-op class students (gr 9-12) would be beyond such approaches as dictation and copywork and need formal essay writing instruction. I've used / adapted The Elegant Essay but am not fond of the author's tone and some of her (dry as dust) exercises, so I've altered those. Was hoping someone would have experience with BW's high school level program to see how that compares.

[Walking-Iris]

Well since BW is set up to be a lifestyle, it may not work for just a tutoring situation. It could be an inspirational read for you, but as a program for tutoring, I'm not sure how it would work since you wouldn't be living the day to day writing lifestyle with those children, kwim?

 

I would ask in the high school section if any have used BW with their high school students.

[RobinL in Canada]

Yes, I do see the point you are making. I did post on the high school board but received no replies.

[MtnTeaching]

Yes, I do see the point you are making. I did post on the high school board but received no replies.

 

 

I replied on the high school board for you Robin, before I saw this.

 

In addition to what I said over there, I believe the thoughts and techniques behind Brave Writer can be incorporated into any writing course (we mixed it with IEW). It definitely adds something that was missing in pretty much every other writing course I saw out there.

 

The Writer's Jungle can be a bit pricey, but if you teach writing, I would highly recommend reading it. It is eye-opening.

[Walking-Iris]

 

I replied on the high school board for you Robin, before I saw this.

 

In addition to what I said over there, I believe the thoughts and techniques behind Brave Writer can be incorporated into any writing course (we mixed it with IEW). It definitely adds something that was missing in pretty much every other writing course I saw out there.

 

The Writer's Jungle can be a bit pricey, but if you teach writing, I would highly recommend reading it. It is eye-opening.

 

 

 

This. It adds so much. It can be used alone or used to enhance anything. I use it along with WWE, but BW definitely is my spine.

[RobinL in Canada]

Thank you all for the input. I think I'll go ahead and order WJ and HfHS. Even though my own kids are high school/ graduated, I still teach other students, so fresh ideas will be welcome.