I am teaching a creative writing class in our Homeschool Co-op.
For those that don’t know a Homeschool Cooperative is a group of homeschooling families that get together to have classes for their children. Each parent in the Co-op volunteers to help out or teach a class. This co-op I volunteered to teach Creative Writing for 6-12 grades and Creative Reading for 1st – 5th grades.
I called the second class Creative Reading because it is basically a Creative Writing class with less writing. I didn’t know what level of writers I would have in the 1st – 5th grades.
I am covering several genres of writing styles in my class and so I invited several of my Tribe Writer friends to contribute to my class.
This week I introduced the subject of writing with a wonderful book by Joan Hall entitled “Dare to Dream”.
This book was a perfect start for teaching Creative Writing in that she talks about Dreams. Although she focuses on the dream of writing her book is applicable for any dream.
Joan’s book really resonated with me. She talks about the start of her dreams. She describes the steps she took to fulfill them.
Like me she wanted to be a writer as a child. And also myself Joan didn’t really start seeing herself as a writer until she was grown.
Joan challenges us to Dare to Dream. If we work at it, one day we will see those dreams come true.
Joan Hall is an amazing photographer as well as writer. Her book is complemented with beautiful photography and inspirational quotes through out.
And to top it all off Dare to Dream is free to subscribers of Joan’s blog.
Go check it out and let me know what you think!
This was a great book to kick start my co-op classes. I want the children in my classes to reach for their dreams while they are still young. Sometimes we just need to have someone come alongside us and say, “Hey! This is how you get there.”
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What a great idea, to share Joan’s beautiful book with beginning writers! If only I had had a resource like this when I was their age. The photos really are beautiful. It won’t surprise me if some of the kids respond with great stories of their own!
Thanks, Kathleen! The kids really did like her book. It opened up some great discussion.
Such a valid point–Through active steps, realize your dreams.
Thx for the review (just subscribed to Joan’s blog) and details about teaching your Creative Reading/Writing classes, Anastacia.
The day you taught, I thought of & prayed for you (yep, while in the laundry room).
Proud of you! 🙂
Thanks for the prayers, Shannon! I really do appreciate it.
Thank you for sharing this. I’ll go to Joan’s blog no! I am sure you are an amazing teacher! As well as an amazing writer! 🙂
Thanks, Lotta! You are so kind. 🙂
Anastacia – thank you so much for reviewing the book. And I’m delighted that you are using it in teaching young writers. I wished I had that type of encouragement when I was young. Blessings!
It was my pleasure, Joan! Your book really opened up a lot of great discussions. Thanks for letting me use it. 🙂
A couple of thoughts:
I love that you are committed to homeschooling your children. Vanessa and I (Jacob) think we may go that route. I just can’t stomach handing my child over to the state for half their growing lives…
Also, looks like a great book we need to check out. We’re all about encouraging one another to dream big!
Thanks, Jacob! Homeschooling can be hard at times but it is very rewarding. I get to be the person that hears my children read their first words. I should write a blog post specifically about homeschooling. 🙂