October 6
Today we began a new writing unit called Picture Writing. Some of you have done this activity before, perhaps. It’s a fun one because you can use your “fiction writing” skills! Also, it’s a tool to help you learn paragraph unity. (You probably don’t care about paragraph unity right now, but I do!)
We looked at a handout called “ball girl”. We talked about how we could use the three pictures to write a little story about it.
Now it’s your turn! I gave you another handout that I call “in the kitchen”. Your job this week is to draft a little story using the three pictures for inspiration.
- Start with the first picture. Write a sentence about what you see.
- Next, think about the background of the picture. What is the lady’s name? Where is she? What is she doing? How did she get there? You don’t need to write sentences…just jot down words to help your ideas.
Now look at the second picture.
- Write a sentence about what you see.
- Think about the background of the picture, and jot words for a rough draft.
Lastly, look at the third picture.
- Write a sentence about what you see.
- Jot down words that explain what’s happening, and how the “story” ends.
Picture writing looks tricky at first, but you’ll get the hang of it! Bring your “draft” next time.
Lastly, memorize the final lines of Oberon’s speech! If you were absent, you can print the document here:
Final Lines of Midsummer Night
September 22
Thank you for your paragraphs! I will read them and get them back to you on October 6.
This week, do two things:
- Write a letter to a real person, explaining how to get to Writing Home from your house!
- Nope, you don’t need to know directions or street names.
- Simply think about what time you leave your house, what you need to bring with you to class, what you see out the window as you drive along, what you see on the trail as you walk through the forest…whatever you remember!
- Begin your letter “Dear Grandma” or “Dear Uncle Fred”, etc.
I typed a quick example letter with you in class today. It is linked, below:
2. Memorize the next lines from A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Here they are, and you can print them from this link.
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite overcanopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet muskroses, and with eglantine.
September 15
Today we noticed the difference between a list of steps and paragraphs which explain steps in a “How To” essay!
Your job is to write new “How To” directions. What else do you know how to do besides the list you turned in today? I bet you know a lot!
This time, though, write in PARAGRAPHS instead of in a list. See my handout on How to Make a PBJ Sandwich for help.
(Moms – younger students may have trouble writing sentences into paragraphs. You are welcome to have them dictate their sentences to you as you write for them.)
Then we learned part of a line from William Shakespeare’s famous play A Midsummer Night’s Dream:
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Remember that “thyme” is pronounced “time”!
Next week you’ll learn more of that line, but for now, memorize just this much.
September 8
Write directions!
Today you gave me directions on how to make a PBJ. Some of your directions weren’t specific enough, and we had a few laughs, didn’t we?
Follow these steps:
- Think of an activity you know how to do well. (Making a cake, washing the dog, milking the cow, cleaning your room, sewing a button on a shirt…anything that you already know how to do!)
- List the steps, in order, so that your reader can do this activity successfully.
The Rules:
- The first step must be a list of materials.
- Number your steps.
- Write a sentence for each step.
Bring your directions to class next time.
August 2026
Hello Parents —
I’m thrilled to have your student in Elementary Language Arts class this year! If he/she was with me last year, welcome back…and if your family is new to Writing Home, thank you for joining us.
Language Arts is the study of communication. Components include writing, reading, speaking, and listening; wrapped up in these are spelling, punctuation, style devices, and grammar. The goal of language arts is to learn to write (and speak) your ideas so that others can understand them.
In class I will cover all these components except spelling, so if you don’t already have a spelling curriculum you may want to find one that works with your home school. I will teach punctuation, just a smidge of grammar, and a few style devices as they come up in context.
At the elementary level I’m focused more on generating thoughtful, original writing than learning standard English rules. You are welcome to “edit” your child’s draft and mark boo-boos; but you can also let those go for now. Best to avoid frustration and tears in favor of creativity and satisfaction, I say!
2026-27 Syllabus*
- Weekly “Freewrites”.
- One “major” paper each month:
- September: Process Paper
- October: Travel Brochure
- November: Picture Writing
- January: Novel Study
- February: Island Chain/Continent
- March: Report Writing
- April: Tall Tales
- Memorize and recite lines from classical works of English, aiming for an end-of-the-year performance. (Reader’s Theater and poetry readings have been a hit the last two years!)
Supplies
- Spiral notebook, either wide ruled or college ruled. If your child was with me last year, he/she is welcome to use the same one.
- A small 3-ring binder. We’ve found that 1.5 – 2 inches is perfect. It should NOT be the same one your student uses for science.
- Notebook paper inside the binder, plus a pencil pouch full of pencils or pens.
- A novel, TBD by November for reading in January.
Your child will always have homework. Find directions for assignments on the “homework blog” by 8 a.m. every Wednesday. Homework is due one week after it is assigned; I allow a one-week “grace period” for late work, but after that I will not accept it.
Thank you again. For questions regarding homework, please reach me BEST via email (rather than text): kimbaum@writinghome.org.
*Syllabus isn’t written in stone, but close. We have room to wiggle if need be.