Homeschooler's Writing Club - Field Assignment

The new Homeschooler's Writing Club assignment begins January 30, 2007! Get your pencils sharpened!

I've received the first few submissions so I have some sample projects for you:

• Life in Miami, Florida, by David C.
• Life in Asheville, North Carolina, by Madison Smith
• Life in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, by Fidel Gomes

I love these project and would love to have submissions from all 50 states and beyond, so forget the deadline...this is an open ended project. Your project will live on the State Unit Study page and children from all over will be able to get a taste of what it's like to live in your neck of the woods. You'll be famous! After your project is posted, you can expect to receive a special prize package in a couple of weeks.

So, go out and about in your community and take some pictures of interesting things. Can you capture a picture of your state bird or tree? Can you take a picture of your state capital building? Other ideas:

• Something unique to your area
• Something your state/province/country is well known for
• State/national symbol
• Historical landmark
• Famous person from your area

Then… Either choose one picture and write an essay about it. Include history, interesting facts, how it relates to your area. Make sure your essay has an introduction, body and conclusion. Younger students (grades K-2) can write a short paragraph about the picture with parent's help. Or… Choose up to 10 pictures and write a photo caption about each one, including brief history, interesting facts, etc.

The only cost for the writing club is a $.63 stamp to cover postage.

• If new to the Writing Club, sign your children up (K-12 Homeschooled) - If you have problems signing up in the forum, you can sign up by emailing the information to me.
• Have student do research and write the first draft.
• Parents help proofread and correct spelling and grammatical errors.
• Student writes final draft.
• Submit your project following the submission process (below).
• The projects will be posted on the homeschooling site.
• Your child will receive a certificate, stickers and a couple prizes in the mail within 4 weeks of receiving submission.
• Deadline: Open ended project!

Submission Process:

The writing club submissions is a 2-step process (or 3-step when including pictures). You will be sending in the student's work via the User Submission Form - this prevents me from having to type all the entries. You will then, print, fill out and mail the Club Awards Form with a $.63 stamp - this covers the cost of postage and gives me the proper name and address to mail the awards package to your student. You will send any pictures or drawings by email if possible, or include with the club award request.

1. Submit your student's poem, story or essay using the User Submission Form. Please include a title for the poem.
2. To receive the award/prize package, send the Homeschooling Clubs Award Request Form and a $.63 stamp to the address on the form. (Please do not send a stamped envelope unless it is a 6" x 9" envelope)
3. Email any pictures or drawings to me. Be sure to identify who it's from and the title of the submission so I can match it up with your student's work.

If you have trouble submitting with the User Submission Form, feel free to send the submission by email. If you want to send in any pictures or drawings, you'll have to send them by email also. Be sure to identify who it's from and the title of the submission so I can match it up with your student's work. Of course, the whole project can be sent to me in the mail if need be.

Additional help for your project:

• Writing Resources
• The Five Paragraph Essay