WRITESHOP will be exhibiting at a number of homeschool conventions around the country this spring and summer. Will you be attending any of these events? If you’ll be there in person, please stop by our booth in the exhibit hall and say hello!
April 25-27 SHEM – Southwest Home Education Ministry
Springfield, MO www.shemonline.org/Convention.aspx Workshop: Inspiring Successful Writers
April 25-27 MassHOPE
Worcester, MA www.masshope.us Kim Kautzer is a featured speaker:
* Inspiring Successful Writers, Part 1 (K-6)
* Inspiring Successful Writers, Part 2 (7-12)
* Effective Tips for Teaching Timed Essays
* Growing Your Child’s Writing Vocabulary
* Writing Strategies for Special Needs Kids
May 2-4 Teach Them Diligently
Spartanburg, SC www.teachthemdiligently.net Workshops:Building Dynamic Essays in Middle and High School, Secrets to Making Writing Fun!
May 16-18 Teach Them Diligently
Nashville, TN www.teachthemdiligently.net Workshops:Building Dynamic Essays in Middle and High School, Secrets to Making Writing Fun!
May 23-25 NCHE – North Carolinians for Home Education
Winston-Salem, NC www.nche.com/conference
May 30-June 1 Teach Them Diligently
Omaha, NE www.teachthemdiligently.net Workshops:Writing Games, Tips and Ideas to Motivate Young Writers
June 14-15 AFHE – Arizona Families for Home Education
Phoenix, AZ www.afhe.org/convention.html Workshop:Ten Stumbling Blocks to Writing
June 29 TEACH AV – Antelope Valley
Lancaster, CA www.teachav.com Kim Kautzer is a featured speaker.
* Inspiring Successful Writers, Part 1 (K-6)
* Inspiring Successful Writers, Part 2 (7-12)
July 16-17 H.I.N.T.S. Book Fair
Charlotte, NC www.hintsonline.org/bookfair.htm Workshops:Building Dynamic Essays in Middle and High School, Secrets to Making Writing Fun!
When I Am Weak: Homeschooling Through Crisis or Depression
Homeschooling can be challenging enough when the sea is smooth and calm. But what do you do when depression, a wayward teen, or some other personal crisis blows in the dark clouds and stirs up a few towering waves? Is it even possible to navigate the waters of homeschooling when you can barely stay in the boat yourself?
During my 15 years of homeschooling, I’ve experienced the ups and downs of life and faith … and I know what it’s like to homeschool during bleak times. Though each mom’s trials are unique, God is constant and unwavering. I’m looking forward to sharing my personal story and offering tips for staying on course in rough waters. My prayer is to bring light and hope to your situation and reassurance that you can finish well.
Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 Attire: Jammies! Twitter party: 8:00 p.m. ET #UHExpo Kim’s talk: 9:00 p.m. ET Join the session: Click the “Listen Live” button at Mommy Jammies Night
About Mommy Jammies Night
Mommy Jammies Night offers FREE monthly online sessions where moms can talk about things that really matter: family, faith, and life! Share your heart with people who listen and really care. Cozy up with a cup of tea and listen live from the comfort of your own home. Stay up late, laugh and giggle, meet new friends, and be energized and ready to face new daily challenges.
Join me at March’s Mommy Jammies Night. I would love to encourage you to press into God as you weather your own storms.
While many shoppers are fighting crowds, others prefer taking advantage of online specials from the comfort of home. How about you?
We love our customers, so we’re offering a rare 20% discount on WriteShop products, valid through December 2, 2012. If you’re looking for the next WriteShop level for the new semester, or you’re thinking ahead to next year, now’s your chance to get those books at a great price!
In honor of my recent birthday, I invited friends and blog readers to join me in celebrating my special day by doing Random Acts of Kindness toward others. The response was overwhelming! Not only was I blessed, but many friends and strangers received gifts of encouragement, friendship, food, and money.
I loved celebrating my birthday this way!
RAK fun … all around the town
First, let me report on my own day of RAK adventures!
Before I left home, I made up and printed a couple dozen small cards explaining the gift I handed out, hid, or left in plain sight. These came in handy as I zig-zagged around town, having more fun than any 58-year-old should be allowed.
1. Dollar Tree Hide-and-Seek! My first stop was the Dollar Tree, where I wrapped dollar bills around a “You’ve Been RAKed” note and hid them under items at the Dollar Tree: a bag of pinto beans, bottle of laundry detergent, a box of candy, etc. I also gave some $5 bills to random shoppers. Loved the expressions on their faces!
2. Pass It Back. Between other errands, I bought gift cards at several locations for the people in line behind me. At McD’s I ordered a $1 Diet Coke and a gift card. When I picked up my gift card at the drive-thru window, I tucked in one of my RAK cards and asked the attendant to hand it to the car behind me. At Wendy’s, I bought myself a $1 burger and repeated the gift-card fun.
I also visited Starbucks and Juice It Up, where I bought gift cards inside and handed them to the next person in line.)
3. Bake and Take. I delivered homemade brownies to two different city fire stations. As a bonus, I was greeted by an old friend from our former church, and he gave me a personal tour of the beautiful Jersey fire station.
4. Brighten a Child’s Day. I took a few minutes to write a letter to our sponsored Compassion child, Mercy. I love the option of sending her letters online. She gets them right away, and I can attach photos of the grandkids and us.
5. More Hide-and-Seek Fun! I hid a few $1 bills around Walmart. It was pretty funny watching some of the “hot spots.” Several people picked the box or can right next to the hidden dollar. Another picked up the box and didn’t even see the little treasure hiding underneath! I love that, because it reminds me of how God chose each person who was meant to find it!
6. Just Because. I handed Walmart gift cards to two random (and very surprised!) shoppers. One lucky mama got her card because I heard her little preschooler singing “Happy Birthday” two aisles away. I hurried toward that sweet voice and told her, “Thank you for singing that song. Today is my birthday!” As the little girl beamed, I handed her surprised mom the gift card.
7. Washing Away the Blues. At the laundromat, I left piles of quarters on the dryers. I haven’t been to the laundromat in a long time. Man, it’s expensive to dry a load!
8. Lift Spirits. I took a moment to compliment a store worker who was tidying up seriously messy shelves at Walmart. Her eyes absolutely lit up!
9. You’ve Got Mail. We shipped a free book to someone in dire financial need. Coincidence that we chatted with this mom on my RAK birthday? I think not!
10. It’s On Me! Taped quarters to a vending machine. I loved watching people walk by as if the coins were invisible. They were just sitting there waiting for the right person to discover them!
11. Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella! I smiled at a sad person. How easy is that?
12. Hold it! I stood at the exit and just held doors for people. And smiled.
13. I Can Use the Exercise! I parked in spots that were farther away or less convenient. Besides, I was in such a lighthearted mood that even the extra walking made me happy!
14. Gas Gift. I tried buying gas gift cards at a couple of gas stations, but they didn’t sell them in smaller denominations. I had already planned out my cash, so instead of skipping the gas station altogether, I got the idea of stuffing a RAK note and some cash in the credit-card slot at a gas station.
15. Cheer Up! I wrote a note of encouragement to a friend.
16. Look, Mom! What child doesn’t love to find money? So I went to the park and dropped some quarters under the play equipment for surprised children to discover. My daughter told me this was her favorite of all my RAKs!
The gift that keeps on giving…
I wasn’t the only one doing Random Acts of Kindness! Exactly 58 of my friends joined me to do a RAK in honor of my birthday! Here are just a few of their stories:
The lady in front of me at Wal*Mart kept having her ATM card rejected … I paid her grocery bill. ~Erin
My daughter bought food for the animal shelter in honor of your birthday. ~Sharra
Surprised some folks with $5 bills at Sprouts this evening in your honor. Big, wide-eyed looks, then smiles and laughs when I said, “Happy birthday to my friend… she said to give it to you!” ~Arleen
I am taking an Anatomy and Physiology course and our professor posts lecture notes online. There are always several students that didn’t have time to print out the notes. In anticipation of that, I made 3 extra copies and handed them out to 3 that forgot to do it. ~Denise
Helping someone move. We were not asked, but we are jumping in. ~Teri
…and more…
McDonald’s cards for a some special ladies and helped one lady sew a purse. ~Susan
The Lord put it on my heart to purchase a bunch of socks and t-shirts at Costco. I wrapped each gift with a bow and a RAK note that said, “You are important to this life and massively loved by God. He wanted you to know that today.” Then I drove to different areas with and distributed the little gifts. ~Debbie
My husband picked up In-N-Out for dinner and got a gift card for the car behind him. He could hear the guy loudly exclaiming, “What, no way!!” So fun! ~Christen
I collected the carts in the 99 Cent Store parking lot. ~Barb
…and more…
Is anyone/everyone else feeling as I am–why don’t I do this more often, every day? The homeless guy with the sign, when I handed him $20 and the peaches I had cut up for my snack: “Hey! That’s a h*** of a lot of money!” ~Jenni
Today we helped pay for care packages being sent to our troops! Love you Kim, happy birthday!! ~Laurel
Cookies delivered to the neighbors! ~Janel
Three bags of books packed up to donate to a local church library. ~Heidi
Sent 2 encouraging notes this morning to friends going through difficult times. This afternoon I will serve with “Big Brothers/Big Sisters” at Camp Pendleton. ~Mary
…and more!
I got a $15 gas card, then spun around and handed it to the guy behind us. He couldn’t believe it. Even came out a few mins later as I was buckling her in to check that I really was giving it to him and asked why. I said it was for my friends birthday. He loved it! That was fun! ~Christie
Got a meal prepared and in fridge for pick up tomorrow for a stressed friend. ~Maggie
I paid a friend’s overdue gas bill before their gas was turned off. ~Rachel
At the airport … personally thanked some brave soldiers for their service! ~Pam
I was the recipient of one of those RAK’s. I was at Taco Bell and the person in front of me in the drive-thru paid for my order. It really made me feel good for the rest of the day. My bill wasn’t even $3, but it did a lot for my attitude! ~Gail
And we have a winner!
I’m sorry it took so long to post the winner of the RAK Birthday Giveaway. When I didn’t hear back from the first winner by the end of last week, I drew a new name. Congratulations to Lisa G!
A special thanks to each one of you who not only entered the drawing, but who took time to do a Random Act of Kindness as well. The results blew me away! It was the best birthday in recent memory.
Now through Sunday, save $14on everything you need to get started with WriteShop for grades 6-10—including this cool 8 1/2″ x 11″ poster featuring the 5 Steps of the Writing Process!
Just visit our virtual booth at HomeschoolConvention.com and click the red Convention Special sign!
Hurry!! Sale ends September 2, 2012 (midnight EST).
Just $79.90 ($93.85 value) ::: Offer ends August 15, 2012
Visit WriteShop at the Virtual Homeschool Convention to take advantage of this great deal! In our booth you can also browse our other products, download samples, and chat with us regarding any questions you may have. The convention is open 24/7; if we have stepped away from our booth, shoot us an email.
Get familiar with WriteShop and learn what our writing curriculum has to offer your homeschool.
May also be used with reluctant 5th graders (and even some 6th graders).
Parents also appreciate being able to use the program with struggling learners.
Start with Book D if your child has not learned punctuation or grammar skills and still needs help planning, organizing, and adding details to a story.
special spring savings for our spectacular supporters
Have you been thinking about ordering for next year? From now until April 30th, 2012, you can save 15% on your order from the WriteShop store using the coupon code SPRING15 at checkout.
The last week in April is going to be busy yet rewarding! If you are attending the SHEM homeschool convention in Springfield, Missouri, I’ll have six sessions packed with tips and encouragement for teaching writing. Please stop by and say hello!
Did you know that WriteShop has a booth at the Virtual Homeschool Convention? Unlike other conventions, this one is open 24/7, and you can attend without leaving home. Peruse the shelves and learn what our writing curriculum has to offer your homeschool.
#WriteShopParty Fast-paced, fun Sharing, linking, chatting Twitter, friends … Virtual chocolate, real prizes Celebrating, learning, writing Festivity, merriment #WriteShopParty
You’re invited to a WriteShop Twitter Party on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 9:00 p.m. EST. We’ll have lots of door prizes and virtual chocolate too! Prizes include WriteShop goodies valued up to $100!
Twitter parties can move a little fast, so the easiest way to participate is by using www.tweetchat, www.tweetgrid, or www.tweetdeck. Follow the hashtag #WriteShopParty and @WriteShop to keep up with the questions and prizes.
To start the celebration off, here’s a party favor just for you!
December 26, 2011 through January 6, 2012 mark the Twelve Days of Christmas. Celebrate with us by receiving a gift for the season!
WriteShop is partnering with Homeschooling Today magazine to bring you a special gift on December 31, the Sixth Day of Christmas.
I can’t tell you what the gift is (don’t you love surprises?), but I can tell you that it’s something brand-new, and I promise you’ll be thrilled. Plus, we’re throwing in a terrific WriteShop discount coupon too.
How to Get Your Gifts
Go to www.HomeschoolingToday.com now to sign up on the home page for the Homeschooling Helper e-newsletter to receive our offer on the above date.
Homeschooling Today will send a special discount or gift from a different vendor each day of the Twelve Days of Christmas – that’s 12 different goodies — but only to their readers. Get your new year off right! Sign up now so you don’t miss a single one of these special offers.
And if you’re unfamiliar with the traditions of the Twelve Days of Christmas, check out Marilyn Rockett’s excellent article. It will help you make sense of what “four calling birds,” “six geese a-laying,” and “eight maids a-milking” really mean.
Wishing you the richest blessings of the season,
Kim
Hi, I'm Kim--curriculum author, speaker, retired homeschooler, and grandma to seven. Welcome to my little corner of the blogosphere. My heart is to equip and inspire you to teach writing, even when it seems like it's always an uphill battle. I invite you to poke around the blog, where you'll find writing and poetry activities, grammar tips, and hope for reluctant writers. Thanks for stopping by!
~Jenni
A special thanks to each one of you who not only entered the drawing, but who 
