Writeguide

One program we have used with success and will probably use in the future is Writeguide.http://www.writeguide.com/  When my older kids got to the age when we were thinking ahead to high school, and indeed, when they were actually working through their high school coursework,  I found it very hard to assess their writing in an objective way.  I either was amazed at how brilliant they were (looking at their written work through proud mama glasses!) or I would focus on everything they did wrong, like spelling and run-on sentences (overlycritical mama glasses!).  And they felt a bit of resentment too, when I tried to constructively give advice or pointed out errors.  So it was best to bring in a third party!  I looked around at lots of options and settled on Writeguide.

The number one reason why I like Writeguide is that you can choose what you want to do.  It isn't signing up for a class where the writing coach becomes a teacher assigning writing projects.  Instead they present different types of writing assignments and you can choose which ones you want to work on and how long you want to work on them.  You can also choose your topics.  I like that so much is left in the hands of the student.  It makes it very easy to design your own course of study.

The daily back and forth of the e-mails felt a little awkward at first but once you get to know your writing mentor and get used to that process, it becomes easier.  I also liked the fact that you have to send an e-mail a day because it made us focus on writing instead of procrastinating (something we are most inclined to do!).  That external structure helped us stick to our work.

My kids have enjoyed Writeguide and I think it helped them to grow and hone their writing skills.

NaNoWriMo

Many people already know about this, but it is fairly new to us.  A couple years ago my middle son and I participated.  We were kind of lame about it though.  This year my three sons and I have decided to participate.  It looks cool! We've got our thinking caps on trying to come up with what we'll write about.

So here's the link.