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.