New Bravewriter product

[Walking-Iris]

http://www.bravewriter.com/program/home-study-courses/partnership-writing/

 

Partnership Writing just released. Because some of us are addicted to Bravewriter :D

[mommymilkies]

I want...but I have too much on my plate already!!

[Farrar]

I already bought it. :D

 

It's on sale for the first week. Act soon.... ;)

 

We often organically seem to find our own writing projects, but I'm excited about doing these. One thing I realized is that if they take us two years because we also do our own things, then that's fine. We'll be in this stage for awhile and the projects are all things I think my boys will enjoy at some point.

[serendipitous journey]

oh, a quandry. When Bravewriter was on sale at the co-op I passed b/c Partnership is the stage we're at. sigh. My little A. is not 8 yet; it wouldn't hurt to wait until next year, heading into 4th grade, would it? I don't want to rush, or to add more to our plate, but Bravewriter seems ideal to fill the creative gaps left by IEW ...

[llindseymomoffour]

Is this supposed to be the grammar program she is coming out with this summer? I received an email stating...we're putting out our own grammar program hopefully summer of 2013.

[Elfknitter.#]

So this is a kind of schedule which one can use with individual Arrow titles/units?

 

I have to say, this is the most straightforward and instructional sample I've seen so far.

[Walking-Iris]

Is this supposed to be the grammar program she is coming out with this summer? I received an email stating...we're putting out our own grammar program hopefully summer of 2013.

 

 

No it's not a grammar program. It's a schedule of 10 monthly projects and instruction for copywork/dictation/and narration. It has writing ideas that include several subjects.

 

So this is a kind of schedule which one can use with individual Arrow titles/units?

 

I have to say, this is the most straightforward and instructional sample I've seen so far.

 

 

Yes you can use Arrows along with it. It's not a schedule for Arrows, but it does give plenty of advice on schedule vs routine for the writing program. The projects appear really involved from my quick glance through. I think this would easily make a full language arts year---add some read alouds (Arrows) and a spelling program if one chooses and it seems to be enough.

[Walking-Iris]

I want...but I have too much on my plate already!!

 

 

 

No worries ;)

[Farrar]

It does have the schedule for the Arrow in it. But you could use your own as well. I get the Arrow when she has one for the books I want to read and don't bother when she doesn't. It's nice to have the copywork/dictation picked, but I can do it too.

 

I know it says ages 9-10, but my boys are not advanced and I'm sure we could have done this at the start of our school year, when they had just turned 8.

[Walking-Iris]

It does have the schedule for the Arrow in it. But you could use your own as well. I get the Arrow when she has one for the books I want to read and don't bother when she doesn't. It's nice to have the copywork/dictation picked, but I can do it too.

 

I know it says ages 9-10, but my boys are not advanced and I'm sure we could have done this at the start of our school year, when they had just turned 8.

 

 

 

It does? I only glanced through it last night. Need to print it out and read closer. :) I also think from my quick look through that even kids older than 10---say 11 and 12---would enjoy some of the projects.

[Farrar]

 

 

It does? I only glanced through it last night. Need to print it out and read closer. :) I also think from my quick look through that even kids older than 10---say 11 and 12---would enjoy some of the projects.

 

 

The sample schedules I looked at all had Arrow copywork and dictation as well as the literary elements discussions scheduled alongside BW lifestyle things and the projects in Partnership Writing.

 

I agree that this is much more flexible than Jot It Down seemed to be in terms of ages. It seemed like some of the projects in Jot It Down were things a lot of kids could grow out of while the projects in here seem designed to appeal to a larger age range and have more room for the parent to push the level up or down a little.

[Walking-Iris]

 

The sample schedules I looked at all had Arrow copywork and dictation as well as the literary elements discussions scheduled alongside BW lifestyle things and the projects in Partnership Writing.

 

I agree that this is much more flexible than Jot It Down seemed to be in terms of ages. It seemed like some of the projects in Jot It Down were things a lot of kids could grow out of while the projects in here seem designed to appeal to a larger age range and have more room for the parent to push the level up or down a little.

 

 

That's what I thought too. Some of the projects seemed real simple, and some seemed really involved...beyond a month timeframe involved.

[prairiegirl]

_{Thanks for the heads up. We have enjoyed Jot It Down and have been waiting for the next book. I am off to download it.}

[stripe]

Anyone else?

[Farrar]

We actually started the secret codes one and the kids thought it was fun. It will be on the light side for our writing projects and we had done a bunch of stuff about symbolic representation a la Scott McCloud when we did a unit on comic books, but they were super into it.

[ByGrace3]

Does is go into detail of how to use The Arrow? That is one thing I am missing... I need more details.

[stripe]

Okay, I don't get it. When is one supposed to do these projects in the PW book? I mean, she has this schedule in the sample, but it seems to mention The Arrow more than the PW projects. I just don't get it.

(Can you tell I never successfully used Jot it Down?)

 

Second, what would I gain by having my child doing these projects? I am not understanding where the partnership aspect comes in here, more than in any other of her projects.

 

Third, is there really anything new here, aside from 10 projects, that's not in Jot it Down and/or TWJ? Does she clearly articulate the partnership component??

 

I need help.

[ByGrace3]

Okay, I don't get it. When is one supposed to do these projects in the PW book?

 

 

Third, is there really anything new here, aside from 10 projects, that's not in Jot it Down and/or TWJ? Does she clearly articulate the partnership component??

 

I need help.

 

I am curious about this as well. Does PW actually explain HOW to use it in the "partnership writing" way of BW? Or is it just 10 projects?

[Farrar]

Does is go into detail of how to use The Arrow? That is one thing I am missing... I need more details.

 

Not really. It puts Arrow stuff into some sample schedules that also includes time for the writing projects, poetry teatimes and other BW lifestyle stuff. Did you get the Guide to the Arrow that is supposed to come with the Arrow whenever you buy it? I think that is the best details on how to use the Arrow.

 

We only occasionally use the Arrow... I have my own ideas about what I want to be reading aloud and if there happens to be an Arrow for it, I'll buy it... and if not, then oh well. I can choose my own copywork/dictations as I read.

 

Okay, I don't get it. When is one supposed to do these projects in the PW book? I mean, she has this schedule in the sample, but it seems to mention The Arrow more than the PW projects. I just don't get it.

(Can you tell I never successfully used Jot it Down?)

 

There's time in the sample schedules. Honestly, I'm not sure if it would be 100% enough all the time. For some projects it would and for others, I think you might have to make more time. Forgo a poetry tea or something, if you were following it closely.

 

Second, what would I gain by having my child doing these projects? I am not understanding where the partnership aspect comes in here, more than in any other of her projects.

 

I think her concept is just that this is a time when kids still need a lot of parent handholding in writing. As in, some people feel like 9-10 yos should be able to get an assignment like, "write a story about a bird" or something and just do it. But actually, they still need a lot of structuring from the parent. And they need assignments that are really fun and compelling. I think the partnership aspect is just that at this stage you never act like you expect them to be able to do it alone and you always help them with the writing. I mean, she has specific tips in her very Julie Bogarty way in there. But I think the partnership aspect is just that you're expected to help the child along.

 

Third, is there really anything new here, aside from 10 projects, that's not in Jot it Down and/or TWJ? Does she clearly articulate the partnership component??

 

I need help.

 

Nope. Nothing new. Well, the schedule samples are more detailed. And I think it's more laid out than TWJ in a more friendly way and focused on this one stage, but I read the beginning and it was nothing new. By the end, I was skimming... yeah, yeah, poetry teatimes and movie nights, etc. etc. But I did feel like she articulated the partnership aspect in TWJ... I'm not sure what's mysterious about it, actually!

 

Here's the funny thing. I realized that THREE of these were almost exactly the same as assignments I had middle schoolers do when I was teaching. Ha. Though everyone has kids do the imaginary place assignment in some form at some point. It's just a good standard writing assignment.

[ByGrace3]

 

 

Not really. It puts Arrow stuff into some sample schedules that also includes time for the writing projects, poetry teatimes and other BW lifestyle stuff. Did you get the Guide to the Arrow that is supposed to come with the Arrow whenever you buy it? I think that is the best details on how to use the Arrow.

 

 

I didn't get the Arrow guide. I bought a bundle through HSBC...does it not come with those?

[Farrar]

I didn't get the Arrow guide. I bought a bundle through HSBC...does it not come with those?

 

Hm... Yes, it must because I know I had it at some point and I have only ever bought the bundle from HSBC.

 

I am curious about this as well. Does PW actually explain HOW to use it in the "partnership writing" way of BW? Or is it just 10 projects?

 

And this clarifies Stripe's question a little... Yes. It's not just writing projects, but suggests ways to teach and implement them and ways for the parent to guide and help the projects. So I would say it does articulate the partnership aspect.

[stripe]

I think her concept is just that this is a time when kids still need a lot of parent handholding in writing. As in, some people feel like 9-10 yos should be able to get an assignment like, "write a story about a bird" or something and just do it. But actually, they still need a lot of structuring from the parent. And they need assignments that are really fun and compelling. I think the partnership aspect is just that at this stage you never act like you expect them to be able to do it alone and you always help them with the writing. I mean, she has specific tips in her very Julie Bogarty way in there. But I think the partnership aspect is just that you're expected to help the child along.

Hmm. Because I have what some might term a "reluctant" writer, I am trying to do something, but clearly I know not what. Most of my ideas are apparently dull.

[ariasmommy]

 

 

I didn't get the Arrow guide. I bought a bundle through HSBC...does it not come with those?

 

 

I bought an Arrow bundle from HSBC last week. If you look in "My Subscriptions" in your account, under Brave Writer: The Arrow, it should say, "You need: the Arrow Guidlines", with a link to download them. HTH

 

I also downloaded TWJ and am slowly reading and digesting it. Very practical and encouraging so far. :)

[Walking-Iris]

You definitely need the Guidelines to the Arrow. I use that particular piece more than anything else. I recently emailed Julie and asked some specific questions about scheduling PW with JotItDown. And asked how to schedule all the writing components---Arrow writing activity, monthly activity, freewrite etc. This was her reply.

 

Great questions!

 

First, Partnership Writing has monthly schedules broken out by week that account for the material in the Arrow. That will help you know when to do the literary elements and the writing activities (which are usually one day activities - not meant to go through the whole writing process).

 

Freewriting is also mentioned in these schedules. You will use freewriting sometimes for the writing projects themselves (and can do that on a Friday, if you like) and sometimes you will simply have your kids freewrite about whatever they like (also on schedule). Once a month (3rd Friday), the Friday is slated for revision so no freewriting is scheduled. You use that week to work on the writing project in Jot it Down or Partnership Writing.

 

It is totally possible to use Jot It Down for two years. Great plan.

 

Same with PW. Some of the projects can go much longer than a month (like the Imaginary Continent or Island Chain). Some are really short (like the homonym book, wich can be completed in 2 weeks easily).

 

My suggestion to you is to either do a project from one of the two products with both your kids at the same time, or alternate kids (if it feels like too much to supervise). As you will see, I stress attempting many of the projects but only completing some of them. It's difficult to take every project through the whole process, so relax. Pick the ones you are interested in and go as far as you can.

 

The Writer's Jungle helps you execute them—use the Topic funnel if you need to narrow a topic. Use Keen Observation if you want descriptive writing about an island or an item in nature. Use freewriting to draft any project. Use the revision section to help you give meaningful feedback to the drafts, and so on.

[stripe]

I wish she would rewrite TWJ.

[tammyw]

My fun news is you will see loads of my pictures in the new product!

[Farrar]

I wish she would rewrite TWJ.

 

What have you tried for BW that hasn't worked?

 

I feel like you want to be nudged, Stripe. ;)

 

Maybe you should do one of her online classes, where they basically coach you personally with your kid's writing.

[warneral]

After getting through all of the prologue of TWJ, I'm now in chp 3 and find it to be an enjoyable read. I do wish she offered a condensed version to go over before reading the full version!

 

I purchased 5 arrow issues as well as partnership writing for next year. I've been on the WWE path with the goal of WWS but don't think my oldest is ready for it. I'm willing to give BW a try and hope that we can grow our writing voice this year.

[deannajo]

I purchased this too, while it was on sale. I've been reading TWJ and am excited to start Parntership Writing with two of my girls next school year - I'll be doing it with my 8yo (9 next week! Yikes!) and my 11yo who will be 12 in Sept. I think it will be perfect for them and since I'm new to Brave Writer, perfect for me too! The projects look great, and the schedule is very helpful - I bought a few older arrows on sale on the homeschoolbuyerscoop too, and am excited about it all. I may also try to talk my upcoming 9th grader into taking an online class with them - she doesn't respond well to me working with her, or I'd suggest the Slingshot for her.

[Five More Minutes]

I wish she would rewrite TWJ.

Or that she'd let Farrar rewrite it. :001_smile: So many times I've followed questions about BraveWriter, and have found that usually Farrar can explain what was really meant in a clear, concise, useable format.

[Sue G in PA]

Could Partnership Writing be used with a 12yo who has not had much formal writing instruction and really struggles getting pen on paper? I know it is intended for the 9-10yo age group, but my 12yo is not an "academic" 12. Esp. in writing...I'd say he would fit the 10yo "proflle" best. Thanks. And does anyone know how long the sale is going on? I don't want to miss it while I am trying to decide.

[TraceyS/FL]

Could Partnership Writing be used with a 12yo who has not had much formal writing instruction and really struggles getting pen on paper? I know it is intended for the 9-10yo age group, but my 12yo is not an "academic" 12. Esp. in writing...I'd say he would fit the 10yo "proflle" best. Thanks. And does anyone know how long the sale is going on? I don't want to miss it while I am trying to decide.

Sue - I'm planning on trying it with my 13yo that struggles and has various issues/special needs. I think from the sample it looks like "fun" - and it certainly cannot HURT them at all!

[deannajo]

I'm using it with my daughter who will be 12 at the time we start - she enjoys writing, but has no formal instruction in it - I think it will be fine and fun!

[stripe]

I feel like you want to be nudged, Stripe. ;)

 

Oh, totally. Something about BW reminds me of BFSU.

[Farrar]

Or that she'd let Farrar rewrite it. :001_smile: So many times I've followed questions about BraveWriter, and have found that usually Farrar can explain what was really meant in a clear, concise, useable format.

 

Ha. I might be misinterpreting it terribly!

 

Brave Writer sometimes aligns so well with how I've always done things that it's crazy. Like the timeline assignment in PW is nigh on identical to one I gave my middle school students a decade ago. And all her little language play things... Like when my kids were younger, our reading practice most days was "Reading Treasure Hunt" where you had to read single word clues (and earlier, picture clues, and later on, multi-word clues) to get all over the house. That's not a BW thing, but it's totally the kind of thing I think Julie Bogart would suggest - making language arts fun and light.

 

But then other times, BW is totally pulling on me to be different. Like with correcting grammar and so forth. I have trouble revising and helping the kids revise when they're trying to fit new thoughts into sentences that don't make any sense to start with. But she would say - I'm sure - to save it for the end. And with dictations. Her dictations, even if you're doing them fill in the blanks style, really push kids hard, IMO. So I feel like that's pushing my thinking, since copywork and dictations were something I really had to be sold on - I didn't buy it at all when we first started homeschooling. And most of her stuff about oral language just has never worked in my house. My kids simply cannot do oral narrations. End of story. They stutter over them. If I try to write them down or type them, they really lose focus and freak out and cry. We do our narrations written and we started the moment they were able to write them at all. I've started to see it really pay off (Mushroom writes narrations that are just beautiful to me for a third grader writer - at least in style - his spelling and mechanics are a mess, but that's not the point so we don't fuss with it much if at all), but it feels like that's not at all what BW would say to do.

[Farrar]

Could Partnership Writing be used with a 12yo who has not had much formal writing instruction and really struggles getting pen on paper? I know it is intended for the 9-10yo age group, but my 12yo is not an "academic" 12. Esp. in writing...I'd say he would fit the 10yo "proflle" best. Thanks. And does anyone know how long the sale is going on? I don't want to miss it while I am trying to decide.

 

Another vote for yes, I think so. No clue about the sale time though... IIRC, the Jot It Down sale went for about a week, which means this one may end very soon.

[deannajo]

I thought I heard that it was on sale for its first week only, but I have no idea where I heard that, so I could be pulling that from thin air - it may have been on their facebook though or in an email - wherever I heard it, its what prompted me to buy it now rather than waiting until Aug/Sept.

[crazyforlatin]

 

Oh, totally. Something about BW reminds me of BFSU.

 

Ah, that's it Stripe! I think that's why I've been hesitant. But Farrar's enthusiasm is seeping in....

 

 

[Farrar]

BFSU never hooked me though. I read it... sort of. And there were bits I liked. But it seemed like too much trouble to implement. Then again, I DIY science and am really happy with that. I keep playing with writing a science guide actually. Maybe one year when I have oodles of free time.

[jar7709]

I am a BFSU and BW fangirl! I do think they both often appeal to the same people, those who aren't afraid to do the legwork themselves, but who would like to have a map, iykwim.

[StephanieF]

Does anyone have a list of the arrow books for 2012-2013? I'm not sure whether to get all of them or select back issues since the price difference isn't very much. However the site only has the 2013-2014 list up there now.

Thanks

Stephanie

[TraceyS/FL]

Does anyone have a list of the arrow books for 2012-2013? I'm not sure whether to get all of them or select back issues since the price difference isn't very much. However the site only has the 2013-2014 list up there now.

Thanks

Stephanie

Are you picking them at the HSBC? They are 1/2 price there until Friday night!! And, they no longer have a list of 12-13 there either. One of the ones I wanted to get must have been then because it isn't on the list. For me personally, I know that there wasn't very many in the 12-13 year grouping I would have bought - which doesn't help you at all! :p

[StephanieF]

That's what concerns me, am I better off picking them from the past issues list as that way at least I will get the ones I know I will use!

Stephanie

[ByGrace3]

 

Are you picking them at the HSBC? They are 1/2 price there until Friday night!! And, they no longer have a list of 12-13 there either. One of the ones I wanted to get must have been then because it isn't on the list. For me personally, I know that there wasn't very many in the 12-13 year grouping I would have bought - which doesn't help you at all! :p

 

They will no longer be at HSBC after Friday? How did I miss that? If so I need to get some more....

[stripe]

http://blog.bravewriter.com/2012/06/19/04-partnership-writing-stage-of-development/

 

I found this podcast, linked from the PW page, about this stage.

 

I had no clue she had podcasts on her site!

[Walking-Iris]

 

And with dictations. Her dictations, even if you're doing them fill in the blanks style, really push kids hard, IMO. So I feel like that's pushing my thinking, since copywork and dictations were something I really had to be sold on - I didn't buy it at all when we first started homeschooling.

 

When I started searching for a writing program that was NOT Writing Strands, nothing appealed to me. I looked at WWW and Classical Writing. I didn't like any of them. I wasn't interested in figuring out all the parts of IEW. So I jumped into using WWE. And I liked that well enough, but still felt something was missing (mainly writing!)

 

Bravewriter was an instant love the moment I read TWJ. Just like you I was not sold on the ideas of copywork/dictation. Reading TWJ and following the tips in Arrows really sold me on the skills of dictation!

 

That's what concerns me, am I better off picking them from the past issues list as that way at least I will get the ones I know I will use!

Stephanie

 

I just pick back issues from books I want to read. Or books we have already read and loved, but wanted to go further into. I didn't subscribe because I'd rather choose my own books. And sometimes what we decide to read aloud doesn't have an Arrow guide. And that's okay. I don't try to *do* school type stuff with every thing we read. Sometimes we just enjoy the book and leave it at that without any dictations or projects etc.

 

I like the looks of Bravewriter, but I don't know where to start with it. Can anyone help me!?

 

I know I can get the basic stuff from Homeschool Buyers Co-op. But what else should I consider?

 

Just start with getting and reading The Writer's Jungle. https://www.facebook.com/bravewriter/posts/10152205686331677 You may also want to subscribe to the Writing Tip for the day. That and the free ebook about Freewriting can help you get started. If you have trouble getting these, email Julie on the Bravewriter site. She gets back to you promptly, and she's very helpful.

 

Then just spend some time looking over the www.bravewriter.com site and learning about the Bravewriter Lifestyle---freewrites will be the big one. If you sign up at this yahoo group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bravewritermoms/ You will get daily schedule notifications. It isn't a discussion group, but it will send you reminders about how to plan your week. They repeat, so you really only need sign up for a week or two and then unsubscribe and you've got a good idea of how to plan out a week BW style.

 

All of those will help with getting started, and then eventually if you like this writing approach you will begin to make it your own.

[stripe]

I just gave up and ordered it. If I don't like it, I will know to sit on my hands for any future JB products. Hopefully.

[TraceyS/FL]

I just gave up and ordered it. If I don't like it, I will know to sit on my hands for any future JB products. Hopefully.

 

Well, I'm trying to order it - but paypal is researching some issue with *my* account so right now.... I can't buy :p

[Stef03]

They will no longer be at HSBC after Friday? How did I miss that? If so I need to get some more....

 

 

It might just be the additional 600 points offer which ends. I haven't seen a post about HSBC no longer providing BW products - is it written somewhere?

[TraceyS/FL]

 

It might just be the additional 600 points offer which ends. I haven't seen a post about HSBC no longer providing BW products - is it written somewhere?

 

It says the offer ends on 5/31 - I'm not going to assume that it will hang around, especially since the person I am working with at HSBC was not happy to hear the paypal "investigation" may not finish until next week.