Are You Using NanoWriMo in Your Classroom?

If you are looking for a great writing experience for your homeschool, then you will want to be sure to check out the NanoWriMo Young Writers Program. This is a free program that is there to encourage the creativity of your child by writing their own novel in thirty days. Yes, I said 30 days!

The event kicks off November 1 and goes through November 30. The purpose of the event is to promote creative writing without the constraints of editing for grammar and spelling. The kids are just encouraged to use their imaginations and WRITE.

In the adult program of NanoWriMo, the expected word goal is 50,000 words. In the Young Writers Program, all participants age 17 and younger, are able to choose an age appropriate and challenging word count goal. This makes it accessible to all school age children, from Kindergarten through High School.

As the parent of a homeschooler, you are invited at the site to create your own log in and register as an educator. When you do this, you will have access to a complete curriculum that is based on the school age level of your child or children. The curriculum will help you to prepare them to write their fictional masterpieces. They will learn how to create plot and characters. But most of all, they will learn how to have fun when they are writing. As the mother of a reluctant writer, I find this to be perhaps the most exciting aspect of all!

You will also have access to a writing workbook. The workbooks are downloadable and are again based on the age of your child. The workbooks have lots of great advice and lots of worksheets that will help your child grasp the concepts that will be needed to write their novel.

We are participating in the NanoWriMo Young Writers Program this year in our homeschool. We are excited to write our own novels and meet the challenge that is before us. Even my reluctant writer is thrilled with the aspect of writing his very own book. He has some really great ideas so far and I can’t wait to see his finished product when the month is over. He loves that we won’t even worry about editing his story until December, because that is when it is time to edit. November is the time to just write, write, write.

I will be participating in the adult version of NanoWriMo. This gives me something else to do with my child and will help to form an even greater bond between us. I will post updates for you on both of our progress through this venture. I invite you to join us and see what we will each create, being limited only by our own unique imaginations!

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Many people think that homeschooling is either all workbooks and stringent learning or that the kids are neglected and do not learn at all. Thankfully, my perception of homeschool has evolved and I have learned that it is so much more than just a completing worksheets and book work. My child is a visual and kinesthetic learner, so book work and worksheets are not his favorite method of learning. I am often found searching for creative ways to help him learn a new concept.

This little video that I am sharing with you today shows the fun that can be had in a homeschool. If you are not engaging in fun activities, then I hope it will inspire you. If you already are, then I hope it will bring a smile to your face as you watch it.

What are some of your favorite homeschool activities? Leave me a comment and share.

If you are in search of a unique ‘field trip’ idea, pack up the kids and head to Home Depot. That’s right, Home Depot! These workshops or ‘how-to-clinics’ are held the first Saturday of every month, at all Home Depot locations, between 9am and noon.

Workshops are geared for children, ages 5 through 12. They must be accompanied by an adult, for the duration of their stay. Kid’s who attend will learn basic building skills and the importance of using tools responsibly.

Besides, coming away with their project, attendees will also receive a miniature, orange, Home Depot apron and an achievement pin.

Gatherings such as this play into the social aspects of homeschooling, as well. Your children will have the opportunity to interact with children, local to the area. Who knows, you may even meet other homeschooling families there.

The clinics have been held since 1997. An estimated 12 million projects have been built since that time. That’s a lot of bird houses… almost 600,000 in fact. Not to mention all of the step stools, tool boxes, bug houses, fire trucks, pencil boxes, mail organizers and picture frames and other educational products that have been created.

Depending how crafty your children are, building the project is just the beginning. They can be painted or stained and then embellished in any number of ways. Woodshop and arts and crafts curriculum, all rolled into one.

These workshops are quite popular. Class size can range from 10 to 200. Chain-wide the average number of children who attend each session is 75. If you belong to a local homeschool group, you might want to suggest that several families attend together.

If you go to work on your goals, your goals will go to work on you. If you go to work on your plan, your plan will go to work on you. Whatever good things we build end up building us. ~ Jim Rohn

Home Depot also holds adult oriented workshops, which seem suitable for older children. There are several gardening-related subjects such as creating an organic garden and container gardening. Contact your local store, for further information.

Have you ever attended a Home Depot or any other type of crafty workshop with your child? If so, what did they like best about it? Is it something that they would enjoy doing again? Inquiring minds want to know… it’s time to spill the nails… I mean beans.

Comments? Questions? Please email me, TODAY!

Photo by: Hugo Corona