Holmes is our fourth child to be homeschooled from birth to college. His SAT score was OK (4th place in our family of five), and he admittedly at one point was not our most 'academic' child; but now he's a journalist in DC and went from UNT Honors to University of Texas (Austin) with excellent grades. We take nothing from him as to drive and commitment, but he would admit our approach to education (and writing) helped him become the man he is today. Here are few highlights---

• Made a 98% on a 14 page paper in Honors Communication (25% of his grade)
• Made a 100% on every Political Science essay (usually took him about 45 minutes compared to his friends who took up to 2 hours and with lower grades).
• Said to us, "After never being in a school of any kind, I found that I could write a 5 page college essay in a couple of hours without dread or frustration. My friends would labor for days or pull all-nighters with great emotional pain and fear. I wish I could put in their heads my dad's Writing Course ...what it could mean to their success in college! Also, to my surprise, I usually made 100s on all my papers (and never below a 95)
  
• Became a full-time journalist with a major news organization

Hint: The Methods used by most schools only heightens the fear of writing (which is the core issue in how to teach kids to write)

There is a Simple Secret teachers aren't taught in most schools, but that instantly helps almost every student (especially most LD or Reluctant Writers); and it all begins with understanding what scares them the most about writing.

When the SECOND FEAR goes away the Writing begins

Dear Homeschool Moms & Dads, Students, and Co-op Leaders, and Parents Who Know Traditional Methods Aren't Working, 

Honestly, do you really think that they will suddenly wake up and like to write by doing the exact same thing you've been doing so far? Really? Your child is scared of one BIG thing, which you already know...she is scared of upsetting you. But you are already upset, so both of you are TRAPPED! You know that it's all about learning by writing...but what is in the way of children writing to begin with? It is the SECOND FEAR that is the problem. Once the SECOND FEAR is slayed, no dragons remain between writing and your child. What is this SECOND FEAR? I'll get to that... Do you really want to send them to college (or high school) with a hatred and (often) morbid fear of writing words on paper? Is there any chance they can graduate without being decent at writing? Have you noticed that a lot of what you are trying just seems to make things worse? It's not your fault...most methods secretly produce fear and failure so the teachers can look like they are 'really' teaching. . Sometimes they just aren't motivated. Sometimes it's something even more challenging. I get the struggle. I get the frustration. I have spent a lifetime figuring out how to go from reluctance and tears to racing to win--- all as it concerns writing. Writing is its own special issue, but when your student learns the 12 Principles I've uncovered through education, trial-and-error, and the grace of God...everything will change. They will immediately discover what learning by writing is all about. In many ways you are going to get to look over my shoulder and show you the exact ways we have taught our own children (and hundreds and hundreds of children all over the world). Here's what I think you're wondering about our homeschool writing course in order to make a decision:

* The simple three step process that cures most forms of perfectionism with writing* How to know his grammar is correct without having to know all the rules* How to quit worrying about what others think* How to help mom or dad give feedback that helps* How to know his punctuation is correct without having to know all the rules* How to come up with what to write about on the spot* How to make what he writes interesting to read* How to develop the little known single habit that turns anyone into a fine speller* How to enjoy writing* How to pick the right words* How to easily practice and improve* How to use language as music* How to start writing anytime (instead of just thinking about writing)* How to find his own voice as he writes.*

The Homeschool Writing Course System - You don't have to train yourself. The Course is 21 audio lessons, plus a workbook, plus a transcript of the course. Print the workbook, play the audios, look at their notes and exercises...and watch the transformation! It also comes with the Essay Course (for older students...around 14 and up), which has 18 lessons and a number of instant templates to use to create an outline in under 2 minutes. These should be used yearly with each student. And, because of the design of the course, it's a new experience every year as the principles settle into the student's heart and habits. It is clearly about learning by writing, but it is also about how to think about writing for a lifetime of confidence.The Online Videos - You will have access to 14 videos that explain all of the principles involved in curing reluctance in young writers (and old ones too!). We also have included our popular 'over the shoulder look' at EXACTLY how to give feedback / grade a student's writing to give the most help. Instant Access and Backup - You will have both courses fully down-loadable for your immediate use. You can make CDs or put the lessons on your iPod. Sometimes stuff happens and things get lost...no problem, we will renew your link to your writing courses whenever you need it. 6 Full Hours of Live Call in Sessions - These sessions were live and included a short lesson along with Q&A from other owners of The Writing Course. You will have complete access to the archive of these live sessions. Occasionally we have a live call-in session to add to these lessons...but, most of your questions are answered by using the course itself. Nonetheless, these sessions help clarify, refine, and encourage you. The Guarantee - Can an online course really guarantee that it will show you how to teach kids to write (and like it)? No one else we know of dares to guarantee a writing course. You will have 100 days to decide if The Writing Course is right for you. All we ask is that your student actually go through the 21 powerful lessons (about 1/2 hour per lesson), fill in the workbook & exercises (easy), and send us a copy—which is only fair. You'll have your refund process within 48 hours. The Price - NOT $127 for everything, including the right to use it with the whole family, is still a bargain. When we say we will show you how to teach kids to write, we mean all of your kids, but with the one-time purchase of our course for the whole family. As a parent myself, I know how costly it can be to buy material for each child for each year...which can really add up. I want to make this as easy as possible—one price for the whole family, forever. There are no additional purchases necessary, and you probably won't need to pay your tutor anymore. If you do the math per child...or the math per year (of most curriculum)...or the cost of a tutor. So, we hope you see our Writing Course on how to teach kids to write is a bargain. Plus, since it is fully online and down-loadable, we've been able to reduce the price from our original price of $299. Here are a few comments from appreciative homeschool Writing Course families. I look forward to adding your successes here soon.

The SECOND FEAR is the secret (less apparent) fear. Of course your child wants to please you (not upset you), but it is the HOW she upsets you that is the issue. 

The SECOND FEAR is that she just can't write perfect. I mean face it...if she could write something perfect, you'd never get upset. True? Honestly, it's not your fault. Schools have been messing this writing business up for many years...mostly because they are trying to teach writing instead of showing the student how to teach himself :-)

The theory in your child's head is that perfect is possible...and...it is possible on the first try. Of course, once you are committed to write perfectly on the first try, then you can't even form a couple of words! Now, add to this SECOND FEAR the realities of some learning challenges, lack of experience, and a swirling number of rules about grammar, spelling, punctuation, and story...and you'll see that she just feels hopeless. Learning by writing cannot happen when hopelessness reigns. I know you don't know me, but our homeschool Writing Course is specifically designed to cure these EXACT FEARS and more. It shows you how to teach kids to write, but it will also show them how to teach themselves to write as well.

So...How Much?

Special Note: Oddly enough, our course on how to teach kids to write often shows the most dramatic improvement is for students who struggle because the way in which they process language isn't 'normal' (whatever that actually means). Learning Disabilities are often mislabeled...they are more often just learning challenges. Jody is dyslexic (but made a 4.0 in her masters program) and two of our own kids had some challenges with reading comprehension and writing...but they are doing great now. Better tactics and growing confidence can overcome almost anything. Here is a recent letter on this very issue:

P.S. TYPOS: Any typos, etc., are free of charge (my gift to you). The whole point of writing is that we start where we start…then get help…then we make it great. If you see a problem or mistake, please drop us a note and we'll get it fixed! contact@advanced-writing-resources.com

AGAIN- INCLUDES BOTH THE WRITING COURSE AND ESSAY COURSE ...Plus 13 additional videos AND much more, so your student can 'know the teacher' too

It's really simple. Print a workbook...play the lessons...learn our easy method of giving the right kind of feedback (5 minutes a day)...and watch your child become a better writer than you are

Jody and I have been helping families make sense of their family and homeschooling strategies for decades. Now, we want to include you in that family. Having successfully gotten all five of our kids from homeschool (18 years each) to college (all graduated with excellent grades while working part time) to jobs  to church involvement to marriage (all 5 are married).  

Here's what you get: