“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”

~Mark Twain

Words Matter Week Is Coming!

A whole week devoted to the written word . . . and I’m excited!

I confess that I’m a word geek. From playing word games like Scrabble, Boggle, and crossword puzzles to highlighting a passage of breathtaking prose, I have a thing for words (though if you’ve visited my blog more than once, you’ve probably figured that out).

The more I read and write, the more conscious I become of the power of words. Words really do matter.

• Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind. ~Rudyard Kipling
• Death and life are in the power of the tongue. ~Proverbs 18:21a
• A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. ~Proverbs 25:11
• Poorly chosen words can kill enthusiasm, impact self-esteem, lower expectations and hold people back. Well chosen ones can motivate, offer hope, create vision, impact thinking and alter results. ~Nan S. Russell

Yep. Words matter.

And that’s why I’m looking forward to celebrating National Words Matter Week. Sponsored by the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE), this event focuses on the importance of words, particularly the written word.

How To Participate

Anyone with an interest in words and writing will enjoy participating in Words Matter Week, including educators, bloggers, writers, libraries, and homeschoolers nationwide. There are many creative ways to get involved. Here are just a few:

• In Our Write Minds: Check my blog every day during Words Matter Week for vocabulary-building and word game ideas, activities for parents and kids, helpful links, a contest or two—and some thoughts on why words matter.
• Words Matter blog: During March 1-7, you’ll find a daily blog challenge.
• Words Matter Week: Ideas that encourage participation from homeschoolers, schools, bloggers, libraries, churches, bookstores, and more.
• Words Matter Week on Facebook
• Communication FUNdamentals is running a weeklong contest March 1-5, 2010

So I hope you’ll join me next week as we have some fun together exploring why words matter!

Congrats to the 14 winners of our Black Friday drawing. It was such fun reaching into the bowl and pulling out names!

Grand Prize

Two lucky homeschool moms won the Illuminations, Year 1 program from Bright Ideas Press, a $165 value! Way to go, ladies!

• Kari O.
• Carla S.

Gift Bundles

The following ladies won a gift bundle containing products donated by Media Angels, A Journey Through Learning, Art of Eloquence, Raising Real Men, and Beloved Books.

• Valorie B.
• Holli B.
• Liz K.
• Candee B.
• Patti H.
• Mary O.
• Lori A.
• Lee S.
• Jennifer O.
• Deborah R.

Bonus Gifts

And here are the winners of our bonus gifts!

• Natalie N. (Activity-Pak from Home School in the Woods)
• Kathy S. (How to Make a Web Page from Motherboard Books)

Congrats again to the winners. Also, thanks to these great homeschool companies for their generous donations. Please take a moment to visit their web sites and browse around!

www.writeshop.com

Homeschooler’s Notebook is a great e-resource that offers tips, advice, and encouragement for homeschooling families. In their October 22 newsletter, Homeschooler’s Notebook named In Our Write Minds their “Winning Website.” Thanks to Heather and Homeschooler’s Notebook for the kudos!

At long last, we’re excited to announce the release of the final book of our WriteShop Primary series. Yes—WriteShop Primary Book C has arrived!

About WriteShop Primary

WriteShop Primary introduces young children to the steps of the writing process using engaging activities, crafts, and picture books. The program creates an environment that promotes a joy of learning in young students and helps them experience success as they develop the ability to write. Whether you have a more advanced child or one who is just beginning, this program is flexible so children can work at their own level.

Who can use Book C?

Book C is recommended for second and third grade, but many of our test families also used it successfully with reluctant fourth, fifth, and even sixth graders. Parents also appreciated being able to use the book with children who learn with difficulty.

In Book C, children learn to:

• Plan, create, and publish simple stories, articles, and reports with parent help.
• Choose the main ingredients of a story before beginning to write.
• Learn to ask who, what, when, where, why?
• Use different graphic organizers to plan a story.
• Write entries in a personal journal.
• Describe an object, a person, and a place.
• Write a nonfiction article.
• Write a book report.
• Learn to use research to write a short report.
• “Publish” stories through projects or crafts.

Other skills introduced in Book C

• Using standard spelling
• Identifying describing words
• Using a simple self-editing checklist
• Summarizing contents of familiar books
• Collecting research facts about a specific topic
• Using computer publishing software

Here’s what parents have been saying about Book C

“The lessons were simple enough to build my son’s confidence,
yet challenging enough that he was always learning something new.” –Tammy, Florida

“I appreciate that I could teach three of my children at the same time and see each one’s writing improve. It’s beneficial for students with a wide variety of writing skills—non-writers, reluctant writers, disorganized writers—even enthusiastically prolific writers!” –Beth, South Carolina

“I am amazed at the progress my son made in such a short time. His ability to put his thoughts together in an organized way has improved dramatically. WriteShop Primary was very easy to teach. I loved that the lessons were easy to adapt to different learning styles.” –Bonnie, TX

Exclusive Introductory Offer for Blog Readers Only

Between October 20-31, you can order Book C, purchasing either a physical copy or the e-book version—and get 10% off!

Just leave a comment below and we’ll send you a coupon code by email entitling you to a 10% discount on Book C and the accompanying Activity Pack for Book C! (Good only at WriteShop. Offer ends October 31. )

Buy the physical book (print version)

• WriteShop Primary Book C - Teacher’s Guide  $32.95
• Activity Set Worksheet Pack – Book C  $4.95

Buy the e-book (PDF download)

• WriteShop Primary Book C - Teacher’s Guide  $28.95
• Activity Set Worksheet Pack – Book C  $4.50

I’m honored to announce that OnlineEducation.net has included In Our Write Minds among its 100 Best Blogs for Homeschooling Moms. You’ll find us under the category of  “Tips and Advice for Homeschooling.” Check out their other categories as well:

Blogs from Homeschooling Moms

Blogs from Homeschooling Dads

Tips and Advice on College for Homeschooling Students

Blogs on Getting Cheap Educational Resources

Blogs from Homeschooled Kids

Tips and Advice for Homeschooling Kids with Special Needs

Explore In Our Write Minds! Start by browsing the categories in the right sidebar, or type a word into the search box. You’ll find writing tips and ideas for all ages.

Book B

WriteShop Primary Book B is coming!

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted any WriteShop Primary news. (Actually, I’m embarrassed to say it’s been over a month since I posted just about anything. Read on and you’ll soon see why!)

We’re getting ready to begin an official countdown on the release of WriteShop Primary Book B, and we’re quite excited around here!

First, we’ve had an amazing group of homeschoolers beta testing the Book B lessons for us. We wrapped up the test period last month. Here’s what these moms are saying about the lessons:

“[My daughter] went from painfully writing 3-5 sentences to writing whole stories complete with beginning, middle, and ending. It even helped me not to be scared of writing.” –Andrea, CA

“Spelling improved. CONFIDENCE was a huge improvement. I had been dealing with the dreaded ‘I can’t’ and this program has helped them see ‘I CAN’! …A fantastic experience! –Cheryl, ON

“The difference in the length and complexity of [my son's] stories was astounding.” –Rebecca, CA 

Last-minute frenzy!

Right now we’re in the final editing and revising stage as we work with our dear editor friend, Sallie Borrink. As we polish up each lesson, we whisk it off to Sallie’s husband David, who did an absolutely fabulous job with the layout of WriteShop Primary Book A. He’s got a few new tricks up his sleeve for Book B, which has a few surprise components.

Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for Deborah Thomson, our talented illustrator, as she turns our worksheet concepts into adorable, kid-friendly activity pages.

If all goes well and we don’t have too many wrenches tossed into the mix, we should be able to go to press by the first of June. Do I hear an amen?

What can you look forward to?

Here are some of the lessons you’ll enjoy with your first and second graders in Book B (though many of our test moms loved using the lessons with their reluctant older ones as well):

• Writing a Friendly Letter
• Standard Spelling
• Acrostics
• Poems and Nursery Rhymes
• Fairy Tales and Predictable Stories
• In the News
• Writing with Humor
• Problem and Solution
• Character and Setting
• Story Organizers

Keep watching for more info to come. Book B is just around the corner! In the meantime, visit our website for more about WriteShop Primary.

Happy 11th Anniversary to HomeschoolChristian.com, a website dedicated to encouraging and supporting Christian homeschoolers. This special day will be marked by an equally special RAFFLE to be held Tuesday, March 24.

Today is the VERY LAST DAY you can buy your tickets.

Among the offerings? WriteShop is donating a copy of WriteShop Primary Book A and Activity Worksheet Pack, a $32.90 value! This fantastic resource helps you teach early writing skills to your K-2nd grader in a gentle, hands-on way.

The raffle includes many other great items, including:

• Curriculum for all ages and subjects
• Books and literature
• Gift certificates
• Hand-quilted items
• A horse (yes, a real horse!)

How to Enter

You can enter the raffle (which supports the ministry of HomeschoolChristian.com) for as little as $5 using PayPal. Remember that today (March 23) is the LAST DAY to enter.

• Click here to see all the raffle gifts (WriteShop Primary is item #12).
• Click here to download the entry form and choose the products you’re interested in winning.

Enter the raffle in one of two ways:

1. Print the entry form, fill it in, scan it, and email it with your PayPal. Send to homeschoolchristian @gmail.com
2. Type in the item number and quantity of tickets for each item and include that with your PayPal. Send to homeschoolchristian @gmail.com

The drawings will be held in the chat room at HomeschoolChristian.com on March 24 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

We pray you enjoy the holiday wth your family and dear friends. We’ll be back to blogging around December 29—see you then!

Peace,

Kim and Debbie

www.writeshop.com

Photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com Creative Commons license 3.0.

Congratulations to our winners in WriteShop’s diamante poetry contest. With approximately 70 students submitting a total of 116 entries, it was really hard to select just four winners. My hand went into that bowl with much prayer!

The task of choosing my favorite of the four was even tougher! After all, I had to deliberate between fabulous adjectives such as blustery and timid; strong nouns like tusks, igloos, and frost; and amazing participles including shimmering, lumbering, and crackling. Wow!

In the end, though, I decided on Vincent’s Arctic/Desert diamante. First, I love his topic. It lends itself beautifully to a descriptive diamante. And not only did he choose each word with great care, he painted a dazzling word picture as well. So congratulations to Vincent, our Grand Prize winner, and to our runners-up: Gabriella, Hannah M., and Levi. Well done!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

Arctic
Blustery, desolate
Swirling, screaming, freezing
Caribou, igloos . . . Camels, tents
Burning, blinding, whistling
Barren, dry
Desert

 Vincent, age 13 (Indiana)

RUNNERS-UP

Elephant
Heavy, strong
Lumbering, trumpeting, spraying
Trunk, tusks . . . Whiskers, cheese
Scurrying, trembling, gnawing
Tiny, timid
Mouse

Hannah, age 13 (New York)

. . . . .

Sunrise
Pink, purple
Shining, shimmering, brightening
Dawn, light . . . Dusk,shadows
Changing, glowing, darkening
Red, orange
Sunset

Gabriella, age 13 (Washington)

. . . . .

Fire
Red, hot
Scorching, burning, boiling
Ember, flame . . . Frost, glacier
Freezing, crackling, chilling
Blue, cold
Ice

Levi, age 10 (Colorado)

. . . . .

Vincent has won a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card for himself and a $10 WriteShop gift certificate for his mom. Congratulations!

Runners-up will receive our brand-new poster! 

I hope you take a few minutes to read some of the other entries as well, for all our contestants gave their best. You’ll find some true gems, evidence of creativity, hard work, and time spent with The Synonym Finder! As a matter of fact, one mom emailed us to say:

“Thanks for having these contests. I love seeing [my kids] writing for someone other than myself and digging through the thesaurus!” —Theresa