The Power in Your Hands : Writing Nonfiction in High School by Sharon Watson

      Writing.  You can look at it several different ways.  Whether you are writing a note, list, or letter, writing is important.  That is unless you are a boy who hates to write!  That has been the story since the beginning at our house.  I am pretty sure that at times, if I gave my boys the choice to write or bang their head on the wall they would choose to bang their head on the wall in a second.  Good thing I haven’t given them the option, huh!  What is it about boys and writing?  I do not know.  It has always amazed me that they can play for hours with Legos or farm toys (or whatever) creating this life or adventure, for it to fall apart and turn to a blank face when you say those two little words of “let’s write!”
     I think that this skill is a very important one for any student, regardless if they are going to college or not or what profession they plan on going into.  Trying to find a good fit, we have changed our writing curriculum several times in the past.  Can you tell how unpopular this subject is in our house?  We have tried so many things from story starters to Institute for Excellence in Writing, webbing to listing to outlining.  All of them have been dreaded.  So when I found out that I had the opportunity to review The power in Your Hands: Writing Nonfiction in High School by Sharon Watson I was so excited!  I wish I could say my high schooler shared the same enthusiasm however that wouldn’t be true.  I told him that he needed writing and that we should at least give it a try.  He slowly warmed up to the idea, however, when the UPS truck delivered it he wasn’t doing the happy dance along side me.
     So, how did it work out?  He absolutely positively loved it!  I was so relieved when he said that he liked it, as you can imagine.  Why is this one so different?  Honestly I don’t know.  I thought that the Institute was well written and laid out. I thought it was only a bonus that it was on DVD. I loved the story starters that we used in the past also.  The thing is is that is me.  Just because I like it doesn’t  mean that he will.  When I asked what was different with this book he said “she writes it like she is talking to me”,  “the lessons are quick and to the point, not too long”.  These two statements were once again a relief to me.  I thought it won’t last too long.  Happily he is still working through the book!  I love the fact that he is excited about it.  I have even heard a laugh or two as he has been working on his writing.  This is something I thought I would never hear when if came to writing.  The thing is is that Sharon has a clever little way to relate to those using her curriculum.  She has things like, cheesy analogy alert grab the chips, or when explaining the “fog index” she makes a point to make sure the student knows it isn’t the weather she is referring to.  I think these things help draw the student in and make it an easier and fun task. Sharon also starts off slowly and progresses.  It doesn’t matter if you are a beginning, intermediate or advanced writer.  She has added in some “Digging Deeper” areas that will challenge more advanced writers, making this perfect for almost anyone!
    Sharon can relate to homeschoolers being a fellow homeschool  mom who has homeschooled her 3 children for 18 years.  She also teaches high school composition, fiction writing and literature to homeschool high school students in her hometown of Indianapolis Indiana.  
     I got the pleasure of actually meeting Sharon at the Midwest Homeschool Convention this past year!  She is really a sweet person!  I haven’t had to contact her with any questions or problems that have come up here, however I believe that if you had any issue she would eagerly work with you to help your student.  Her friendly, gentle spirit is very war and welcoming.                     
    So what do you get? 

     With “The Power in Your Hands: Writing Nonfiction in High School”, you get the teachers manual  as well as the student book.  The books are very informative and easy to read.  She has designed the course for you as the parent to be involved as little or as much as you would like.  Not sure how to grade your child’s work?  Not a problem!  She even explains how to grade\score  it.  This curriculum is recommended for grades 9-12 and covers topics like persuasion, narratives, the SAT essay and more. 

How much does it cost? 
  I feel that that this is very reasonably priced at Teacher’s Manual $14.98 and the Student Manual $39.98. 



  What else does she offer? 

                                 

Where can you find The Power in Your Hands: Writing Nonfiction in High School? Or either of these other courses?
                                                                                                                                                                    Check out:
                                                                                                                                                                       Website
                                                                                                                                                                      Facebook
                                                                                                                                                                    Sharon's Blog
  You can check out what my friends are saying at Home & School Mosaics  here.    

  Thank you to Home & School Mosaics for the opportunity to review this curriculum!  I received this curriculum in exchange for my honest opinion.  A positive review is not guaranteed.
                     

Body & Soul A girl’s Guide to a Fit, Fun, and Fabulous Life By Bethany Hamilton with Dustin Dillberg

     I was given a copy of this book from Zondervan in exchange for my honest opinion.


     Body & Soul A Girl’s Guide to Fit, Fun and Fabulous by Bethany Hamilton with her trainer Dustin Dillberg is an inspiring book for any preteen or teen.  Bethany talks about nutrition, exercise and overall being good to your body.  She shares her spiritual walk and encourages girls to be the best they can be!  What an inspiration and message.  All too many times I have seen where your sports have become too competitive with others and not enough about self competition.  You are always as good as God made you to be.  You shouldn’t compare yourself with others, instead you should set goals against yourself.  She emphasizes this including kicking it up a notch with yourself!
     Bethany has the book laid out in and easy to read, colorful and fun way.  Perfect for that preteen-teen in your life.  She uses her experience and determination as an example to express how you should eat and exercise as well as the importance of it.  Included in the second half of the book is a chapter on nutrition and a second one on exercises.  Tucked in the back are some of her delicious recipes that my daughter wanted to try as soon as she saw them.  The flavored waters are really delicious and what a great way to get children in general drinking more water.
     I am not a fan of emphasizing the way that we look so much as the idea of being healthy.  Bethany stresses that your body is a gift and explains how and why we need to take care of it.  I think that this is a great way to talk to our young daughters/nieces/granddaughters or whoever the special young lady is in our lives and start a healthy approach to taking care of our selves.  There is so much negative media out there that has caused trouble for so many of our children.  I feel that this book is a excellent resource that was tastefully written in an easy to read and understand format.  I would recommend this book for anyone’s little lady.
     You can purchase this book from Zondervan here.
    

Raising the Bar~Gabrielle Douglas

  I received a copy of this book from Zondervan in exchange for my honest opinion.

        Raising the Bar by Gabrielle Douglas is a great book for any young girl, especially a gymnast.  The book is over sized and laid out in a memory book/scrapbook fashion.  It has vibrant colors drawing the reader into the book.  Gabrielle starts out by introducing her family and explaining how she started her career when she was only 6 years old.  She shares her inspirational story, including sacrifices she and her family went thru for her to live her dream/God given calling.  She emphasizes her faith in God and expresses how she gives glory to God for bringing her to this place, the Olympics.  She discusses the heartache she felt when she had to move across the country to train for her challenge of a lifetime, how God brought her through that and placed her with a family who became her second family.
       Through out the book there are biblical stories or verses that Gabrielle draws her strengths from when she is away from home or training.   She discusses lots of different things about her like what she likes to eat, what she does to relax or who has inspired her showing that she is a grounded real person, not a character.  I think this is something that girls, preteens especially,  can really relate to.  This book is recommended for 8 year olds, the perfect age to be influenced by a good role mode.  In a world where there are few good role models Gabrielle's story is a refreshing one of faith, determination and hard work.
     
You can check out this book at Zondervan as well as her other book, Grace Gold and Glory.

Father's Day craft

Father's Day is quickly approaching.  
  The day that we set aside to make sure that the special men/fathers in our lives feel a bit more special. 
Check out this craft idea using a poem and a picture frame over at Home & School Mosaics.  It is inexpensive, adorable and can be personalized!

Hope you enjoy!