It's Spring & new ideas are growing! 03/31/2012
It is in the Spring when new things begin to grow - including new ideas. My new idea is a new name & look for my writing curriculum, workshops and tips. Here's a preview...  I'm excited to expand my horizons and get serious as well as more professional with my own domain name. Soon you will only find me at http://www.totallywriting.com Thanks for visiting me here & I hope to see you at Totally Writing! Add Comment New Look! 03/28/2012
 It's Spring Break! Well at least for my husband & I - we're teachers that teach in a different district than our children. So their break was last week and ours is this week. We decided to keep Stitch & Lewis out for 2 days this week so we could enjoy some family time at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
Now it's the last marking period of the school year and I am gearing up for the summer! First, I'm Spring cleaning and cleaned up this site! Then, I'll be looking for ideas to enrich my children's education as well as maintaining their skills during the summer. If you "school" throughout the summer and are looking for a fun way to teach essay writing (has your child learned to write using cupcakes before?) then I have an idea for you - The Write Stuff Workshop in Winter Garden, FL June 18-21, 2012. Find out more here. Enter to win a free tuition here! Summer Dreamin' 03/09/2012
 Yes, I know it's early, but here in Florida Spring has come early and so I am already Summer Dreamin'! I am looking forward to having more time to devote to my blog and other blogs I enjoy. But first, a trip to Disney's Vero Beach Resort! It's become a family tradition that we begin our summers there. The resort has a lovely slower pace with plenty of R & R all around. It's a great way to unwind and spend some soul-calming time with the family.
After that, I will be teaching a four day workshop to students in any grade that would like to learn how to write expository & persuasive essays. It will be from 10am-12pm on June 18-21, 2012 at Lakeview Middle School in Winter Garden, Florida. To find out more, click here. And I am giving away one FREE tuition for this workshop! All you have to do is fill out the entry form located here. 5 Reasons that People Fear Teaching Writing 02/05/2012
 As you may know, I've not been blogging as much recently as I have been putting my time and energy into my new workshops. They are well underway and many 8th grade students are now preparing for the big state assessment.  I regulary cruise the internet for new teaching ideas and stumbled upon this blog that lists "5 Reasons Homeschoolers are Terrified of Teaching Writing" . So naturally, I am wondering - is this true for you? (Almost) Wordless Wednesday 12/28/2011
This is for all the visual learners out there! :)  The Write Stuff Expository Workshop Sign up now for 5 sessions of fun, engaging workshops that will teach you or your child the fundamentals of organizing an expository essay with ample support and a strong focus. Workshop days are Tuesdays from 4-5:30pm at Lakeview Middle School in Winter Garden, Florida. Dates are: Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 7, Feb. 14, Feb. 21- all 2012 Cost is $150 per student and includes a course manual with the copyrighted organizational pattern checklist as well as all instructional materials that include review checklists/ reference guides. The registration form is below. Click here for more information. 
The "Bare Necessities" 12/04/2011
No, I'm not talking about "The Jungle Book" although the song is definitely in my head now.... 
I'm talking about Expository Essay Writing! I have created a "bare necessities" version of my 12 week curriculum that teaches one how to properly focus, organize and write ample support for an expository essay. It will feature DVD lessons and a PowerPoint.   Here's your chance to take my writing curriculum for a FREE test drive! You'll get: *4 days of lessons + 1 quiz in text & on video with ANSWERS *paragraph pre-test *writing process review with powerpoint (on the video) *grammar lessons including subject/predicate, complete sentences, fragments & run-ons *links to appropriate grammar games *a proofreading chart * A table of contents that will show you the contents of the entire curriculum _____________________________________ It's perfect for all students from grade 4 and up who want to learn to write essays. And it's FREE - for a limited time. :) Click here! ENDS Friday 10-7-11 FREE - Coming Soon! 09/10/2011
 Everyone loves a freebie, right? Well I am going out on a limb and offering the first week of my 12 week expository essay curriculum for FREE ! You'll get: *4 days of lessons in text & on video with ANSWERS *paragraph pre-test *writing process review with powerpoint (on the video) *grammar lessons including subject/predicate, complete sentences, fragments & run-ons *links to appropriate grammar games *a proofreading chart * A table of contents that will show you the contents of the entire curriculum It's perfect for all students from grade 4 and up who want to learn to write essays. Watch this space for the date of the big giveaway! :) I'm back in the classroom again... 08/24/2011
 Welcome to the Garden and if your are a musical type, sing the title to the tune for "I'm back in the saddle again" 'cause that's where I am - back in the classroom after the all-too-short summer! :)  I'm happy to join the Thursday Blog Hop & tell you a little bit about writing for students with learning challenges. This is what I teach. The key is to break down everything into small, easy to work with steps. This means you must start with understanding a sentence. This, of course, involves an understanding of subject & predicate. Once that is mastered, then one can move onto a paragraph. Wait! You say. How do I teach subject & predicate to create an understanding of sentences? Well, you could use the resources on Help with the Harvest , or I have been thinking of offering the opportunity to order week one of my curriculum which covers sentences & even basic paragraphs. What do you think? Leave a comment. :) | AuthorThe creator of The Writing Garden curriculum & workshops - Wife, Mom of 2 boys, 17 year certified teaching veteran with an M.Ed, supporter of homeschooling, lover of gardening, Disney & chocolate.    
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