Just Write!


If you’re looking for a jumpstart into writing, JUST WRITE! is the perfect fit!

Whether your child is a reluctant writer needing a boost or a gifted writer needing fresh challenges, this DVD delivers an interactive approach that is unique to any other writing program. There is no workbook or textbook spinning a new twist on the same approaches you’ve already tried. There is no need for you, the parent, to critique or evaluate the writing. In fact, you may want to experience the writing adventures right along with your student! This multi-level DVD has adventures for any age of person who knows how to read and operate a DVD player. And the writing adventures are designed so that the student can go back and do them again with a slightly different perspective.

Here’s how JUST WRITE! works:

The instructor begins at a “home base,” which may be her home, the lake, the entrance to a Victorian mansion, in the driver’s seat of a sports car, or many other settings. In each setting, the writing concept is explained very briefly. From there, the student is transported to another setting where the writing concept will be put into effect. (Examples are given below, adventure by adventure). JUST WRITE! takes the writer from the blank page to a wide variety of activities and locations.

Having home schooled my own children for twelve years, I have tailored this DVD to the things that home school parents and students are interested in. Yes, there are even horses (even though I’m afraid of them, which you’ll discover by watching)! I have combined my writing experience and solid writing concepts with character-building settings to entice students into the wonderful world of writing! Further, almost all of the participants in the DVD have either been home schooled or are being home schooled now! Even the filming and editing was done by former home school students (and former students of my writing courses as well) and is of the highest professional quality. This is the only writing program of its kind and it’s brand new!

The program can be used as a supplement to any language program and can easily be used for a semester course. Please read the descriptions of the chapters below.

WRITING ADVENTURES INCLUDED ON DVD
Chapter 1: Making Sense of Your Writing
This chapter begins with the instructor gathered outdoors in the summer with a small group of students (yep, home schooled!), a litter of puppies, and a large picture on an easel. The concept being explored is using the fives senses to enhance writing. Join the outdoor classroom as they use their senses to describe a scene in detail. Then view various still shots (a puppy, fireworks video, etc.) to write your own descriptions, using your senses to bring them to life.

Chapter 2: The Rest of the Story
In this chapter, the importance of description is stressed through four story-starter adventures. Of course, the student may pick and choose which story-starters to choose, but some students will, no doubt, do them all!
1. Gone Fishing! In this adventure, the instructor takes the writer to an inviting, creaky, splintery dock at a lake where a whopping fish story is started. Just when the fish is about to be caught by the kid fishing (yep, a home school kid), the action freezes and an onscreen invitation is given for the writer to take up the story and finish it.
2. Drive! In this adventure, the instructor pulls up in a black Miata convertible, explaining briefly some instructions regarding writing good description. From there, the student is invited to drive. The camera’s eye is behind the driver so that the student can actually imagine being in the driver’s seat. Along the drive are cues across the screen giving the writer hints of things to include in the writing adventure. Cues like What’s that smell? as they go by an out house.
3. No Playing Around This adventure is set in an elegant restored hotel where a piano recital is taking place. The story starts with a student (yep, a home school student) walking up to take her place, nervously, at the piano. The beginning of the story is given onscreen briefly and then freezes, inviting the writer to take over the story from there. This is an experience many students can relate to and now they have a chance to write it!
4. This Old House In this adventure, the writer is taken to the outside of an old, stone mansion. This is the setting for the story, which is given onscreen, of a young person going to stay for a while with an eccentric aunt. Some alluring description is given of the old place, but just enough to entice the student to take over the story. This is an opportunity for great creativity, especially for the student who loves history or mystery.

Chapter 3: But I Think
This chapter stresses the crucial concept of persuasive writing.
1. Letter to Mom and Dad This is an example of persuasive writing, given by the instructor, asking Mom and Dad for a pet.
2. Get Back On that Horse, Mrs. Simmons! Here the student will be given the task (a huge one) of persuading the instructor to enjoy horseback riding, even though she is not enjoying the brief intro done while seated on the horse.
3. Letter to the Editor Here, an example of writing a letter to the editor is used to show persuasion. Then the student is encouraged to do the same, choosing from a list of given topics or from his/her own choice.

Chapter 4: Sew What?
This chapter focuses on keeping the "thread" (the main idea, that is) unbroken. This concept is illustrated by the instructor at a sewing machine and then practiced by writing how-to pieces from provided topics that are of common interest to students.

Chapter 5: You Said It!
This chapter focuses on writing dialogue that is not only easy to follow, but believable and natural.
1. Chit Chat at the Pet Shop This is one of the favorite adventures of both students and parents. After a brief explanation of the concept of writing dialogue, the student is taken to a pet shop. On screen are various animals such as a fish, a kitten, a snake, a gerbil, horses, a dog… The adventure is for the writer to write dialogue for the animal, which could be talking to another animal, to the student, or maybe to itself! The instructor provides dialogue for a fat, sleeping cat as an example.
2. Observing and Collecting Conversations The student is asked to observe the dialogue of those around him/her for the day (without eavesdropping on any private conversations, of course) and then write them down. This is a practical discovery of the way people “really” speak. Thus, believable dialogue is created.
3. Making Dialogue Live Here, the use of “tags” being added to a given mediocre dialogue shows how it comes to life.

Chapter 6: Point of View
This chapter uses several unique adventures to take the student to settings of writing from the perspective of other people.
1. The Band In this adventure, the instructor gives a brief intro in writing from various points of view (perspective). Then, the writer is taken to an actual summer outdoor band concert in an Iowa community. First, the writer will write from the point of view of the band director. Then he/she will write from the point of view of a band member, and then from the point of view of a spectator. Along the screen, cues will appear to keep the student writing. Cues like Does your band sound as good tonight as it did at practice last night? Or Is your deodorant working? These writing adventures take place while actually “being” at the outdoor concert.

2. It’s Your House This adventure finds the instructor giving a tour of a Victorian mansion while reinforcing point of view. The writer is taken to various rooms of the house and then asked to BE one of the people who lived in the house when it was new. Various writing settings are provided such as the sunroom, the bedrooms, and the fireplace.

Chapter 7: Glorifying God with Your Writing
This final chapter emphasizes the ability in every person to write for God in some way. The instructor begins by illustrating that the Gospels were not written by professional writers, but by common people who wanted to spread the Word. The instructor emphasizes that the Gospel writers wrote because they had something to say. And so can the writing student. From there, various young people are interviewed, and projects ideas are shared.
1. College-bound for God Listen to an interview with a college-bound home school student who is headed for a writing career to bless others.
2. Card Ministry Take a look at the card ministry of another home school student.
3. Song-writing Take a shot at writing song lyrics as you listen to an original guitar composition.
4. More Ideas! See a list of other suggestions for using writing to bring glory to God.

JUST WRITE! is unique, fresh, and unlike any other writing program. All of these adventures are included on one convenient DVD. This program is designed to be easily used by one individual or by many at the same time. So, as the parent, you have the option of leaving your student to work independently or to include other students (and yourself) together.

JUST WRITE! is an excellent resource for some learning challenges as it uses audio/visual instruction along with writing which can easily be divided into short sessions.

JUST WRITE! The perfect choice for the gifted, the reluctant, or challenged writer!

Just Write Sample Clip.


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