Homeschool High School: Creative Writing and Creative Connections

Syd is studying and practicing creative writing more intensely this year, and we are having a LOT of fun with it. Creative writing with a high school student is now officially one of my Top Five subjects from our entire homeschool history together.

In keeping with my tradition of using one textbook as a spine, supplemented heavily, this is our Creative Writing spine:

• Imaginative Writing

Syd completes the daily 10-minute freewrite taught in this book each school day, although she likes to use it for different purposes than the "automatic writing" that Gertrude Stein devised. Currently, I think she's writing a serialized story in her daily 10-minute bursts, a high-interest, low-stakes challenge that's perfect for this study.

Weekly, Syd reads, records, and writes a few sentences of review of at least one novel, one short story, and one poem. I'd originally had high hopes that I could steer her towards some canonical works of my own choosing (will I never have a child who finishes a MENSA reading list?!?), but Syd prefers to make her own choices, which is, of course, better since her choices can fit her interests and aid her engagement and interest. Since she happily completes these assignments every week, I will not protest!

Syd is also working her way through Wordly Wise Book 12 this year, because an extensive vocabulary is the best tool you can have in your creative writing toolbox. This is the last book in the Wordly Wise series, gasp!, so I'll have to think of something new for spelling/vocabulary next year, because I simply cannot have a homeschool that does not include spelling/vocabulary acquisition.

My favorite parts of this Creative Writing study, though, are when we come together to write, play, and make creative connections. While I don't do formal, "school"-style lessons, I like each of our meet-ups to have a warm-up activity, a writing activity that we do together, and a writing activity, ideally inspired by our lesson, that Syd can work on in her own time and turn in later.

Six Degrees of Wikipedia is an uninspired title for a super-fun game that we sometimes play for a warm-up activity. It comes from Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, which Matt and I like to play, and of course from Six Degrees of Separation. 

To play Six Degrees of Wikipedia, you pick your starting point and your ending point, both as random as possible. The other day, Syd and I started with "Walt Disney," and wanted to end with "apricot." So we both went to the Wikipedia page for Walt Disney, then using only the blue links, we tried to get to "apricot." As we went, we wrote down every link we clicked on so we could follow our path later.

We both got from Walt Disney to apricots, but the path that each of us took was completely different. I went from the link to California, then through California's produce exports, then through types of fruit. Syd went through some animation links to get to colors to apricot the color to apricot the fruit.

The lesson, of course, is that there is more than one path from A to B, and the practice is in opening your mind to making creative connections to get you down that path. 

Another creative thinking warm-up activity that we like is Dictionary Definitions (titling is not my strong suit). We each take a dictionary (every home needs multiple dictionaries!), and put five or so abstract terms on index cards, one term per card. Next, we lay them all face-up so we can both see them, and we spend a few minutes writing vividly imagined non-definitions for some of the terms. The "definition" should be a vivid image that defines the term without literally defining the term--think along the lines of "tell me the definition without telling me the definition."

When we've both got a few definitions, we trade cards, and the other person has to try to match our definitions to the correct terms. It's almost always possible! Here are some of my recent favorites:

Syd's definitions are always the funniest.

Our "lesson" the first day we did the Dictionary Definitions warm-up was actually a comparison/contrast of vivid imagery vs. concrete details. We traded these picture books that have vivid imagery back and forth (pro tip: picture books are SO GREAT for illustrating key literary terms and writing concepts without having to devote a ton of time to reading!):

• The Black Book of Colors
• Firebird
• Magnificent Homespun Brown

In each of these books, the author uses vivid imagery in place of concrete details. The Black Book of Colors is particularly interesting because it actually does use concrete details, but it uses them AS vivid imagery to explain an abstract concept.

Next, we read Dreamers, which uses vivid imagery to tell a story. The imagery works well to signal sensory overwhelm and to make scenarios that might ordinarily feel familiar instead feel abstract and foreign. 

The special thing about Dreamers, however, is that there's an author's note afterwards in which the author tells the same story plainly, with concrete details. She couldn't have created a better contrast if she was writing this book solely to my specifications for this lesson!

The activity lent itself perfectly to an assignment asking Syd to write a story two ways, one with primarily vivid, abstract imagery rather than concrete details, and one with primarily concrete details rather than vivid, abstract imagery.

On another day, we talked about writing prompts and how to use them creatively. There are tons of books whose primary purpose is to provide writing prompts and creative writing exercises. Good academic choices are 59 Reasons to Write and What If?, but there are so many highly accessible, open-and-go choices, as well:

• Rip the Page!
• Amazing Story Generator
• Leap Write In!

Of these, Syd and I have had the most fun using the Amazing Story Generator for timed writing exercises. We each generate a story prompt, then spend ten or so minutes just riffing on it. Then we trade and read each other's brilliant pieces!

Inspired by the Amazing Story Generator, Syd made her own writing prompt creator. Here are a couple of my favorite randomly-generated prompts:

I mean, don't you want to read both of those stories?!?

So far, we're happily invested in all kinds of short story writing, but my goal is to drop everything for NaNoWriMo, and then perhaps try our hands at some poetry. Syd doesn't like either of these ideas nearly as much as I do, though, so if I can't convince her, there's nothing wrong with a full year of short stories!

Weeks 5 and 6 with the Foster Kittens: Happy Little Chonkies Find Their Forever Homes

Five baby kittens lived their best baby lives in our family, and in their last week with us, Syd sat them down for their official kitten portraits.

Here is Athena, the best and most superior of all kittens:

This is Socks, the bravest of cats, who wakes up from every nap and chooses violence anew:

This is Taboo, who spends much of his time staring directly into the soul of the human nearest him:

This is Jones, come to see what the fuss is and accidentally get a rainbow caught in his fur:

This is Anchovy who, bless him, never knows what's going on and always looks vaguely baffled and specifically startled:

This is Pickle, who doesn't always prefer pets from her humans but enjoys being the one who grooms them, instead:

Here's the hardworking photographer, who arranged this studio session to take marketing photos for the shelter and keepsakes for us (as well as to complete a step of the Girl Scout Ambassador Photographer badge!):

I love how her photos show all the sweetest, brightest personality traits of each of our babies:

We kept this litter until they were nine weeks old, and from the time they were seven weeks old on, every moment with them was just pure magic. They were old enough and responsible enough to have the run of the house, and they took advantage of it, claiming most of our giant bean bag for their tiny selves:

I do not know why kittens always feel the need to climb straight up to my shoulders and perch there precariously, but it is my favorite kitten thing:

The kittens were even here long enough to join in with some of our favorite Halloween traditions. Here they are helping me make ambrosia for our Edward Scissorhands family movie night:

So, we either kept this litter of fosters too long and I accidentally got attached, or I still have a lot of grief over Gracie that I haven't processed (or why not both?!?), because wow. I am BEREFT without these five messy, feisty, expensive, time-consuming, stressful foster kittens in my life and on my lap!

Like, spontaneously bursting into tears bereft. Listening to my secret Spotify playlist that's all sad songs about kids growing up too quickly bereft. Thank goodness that all the foster kittens were adopted within three days, and my absolute best darling, Athena, was adopted the same day, or I honestly do not know if I could have stopped myself from driving back to the shelter and adopting them for real bereft. 

The kids have been visibly as surprised at my reaction as I am, because I'm always the one coaching them through the foster returns, talking about the amazing families who will cherish each of our babies and how loved and lucky they're all going to be, etc. Now it's the kids who find themselves cheerfully theorizing that I bet right now Athena is eating wet cat food and purring while somebody pets her and watches her adoringly, or right now Anchovy is sitting there with his usual baffled expression on his face while someone coos at him and takes one hundred photos. 

Ugh, I don't even know, you guys. I might have to deep clean the kids' bathroom and then chase the high with another litter of foster kittens. It's seriously that bad.

• Four Weeks Old
• Five Weeks Old
• Six Weeks Old
• Seven Weeks Old

DIY Drapes from Upcycled Sheets and Lining Fabric

This tutorial was originally posted on Crafting a Green World.

Drapes are a surprisingly eco-friendly home furnishing! 

You might think of drapes as those heavy velvet beasts that hide the windows in your grandma's parlor, gathering dust and waiting for Scarlet O'Hara to come along and upcycle them into a dress. 

Drapes, however, do more than just look pretty (if you just want something to look pretty, you want curtains!). Drapes are lined, usually with a specifically light-blocking fabric, but any tightly-woven fabric will do in a pinch. Lined fabric keeps out the light bleed that can negatively affect your sleep, whether that's dawn's early light or your neighbor's *^&%#%&#!!#% end-of-the-driveway beacon that they have no business keeping on all freaking night and not even because it shines directly in your bedroom window. I mean, how about because of light pollution!?! Energy expenditures! Seriously, do they not care about their electric bill AT ALL?!? 

 Anyway, where was I.... oh, right! The lined fabric of drapes makes it great for light-proofing a room, and it also makes it great for insulation. No matter how eco-friendly your windows, they're still less insulated than, say, your walls. The extra layer of insulation that drapes provide is always going to keep indoor temperatures more consistent and allow your climate control to run more efficiently. 

Drapes are surprisingly easy to sew, even for a novice. All you need to know is how to sew a straight line! Here's everything that you need to make your own drapes:

Flat Sheets

There are a billion curtain width calculators online. However, they assume you're either going to buy new curtains or make your own from scratch. 

To use flat sheets for curtains, here's an easy rule of thumb: each flat sheet should be AT LEAST as wide as your window. Since you'll have two for each window, this is an easy way to make sure your curtains are at least double the width of your window. Check out my post on sheet sizes translated to fabric yardage to see the width of standard flat sheets. Remember, though, that sheets aren't always standard. If they're new, they'll probably shrink when you pre-wash them. Thrifted sheets have probably already shrunk. And if they're vintage, who knows? The only way to get an accurate measurement is to pre-wash your sheet and then physically measure it by hand. Drapes look even better when they're more than double the width of the window, so don't be afraid to go up an entire sheet size to get the look that you want. Just remember that you'll have to buy lining fabric to match. 

 Lining Fabric 

 Lining fabric is useful in several ways. It keeps a room darker when the drapes are closed, it adds another layer of insulation, and it prevents direct sunlight from fading the drapes. The bad news is that all readily-available, specifically-marketed-as-such lining or blackout material is essentially plastic. And because all fabric has some sort of weave, you're not going to get a true blackout effect with just fabric alone. 

Fortunately, if you don't need a room to be 100% dark with the curtains closed, you have a ton of out-of-the-box lining options. For instance, I really like the option of simply using another flat sheet as a curtain lining. If you buy two of the exact same flat sheets, one for the drapes and one for the lining, their sizing will match perfectly. Buy them in the same color to blend, or buy them in different colors to look cute! 

 A blanket is another lining option that gives good light blockage and good insulation. It's a little harder to make a blanket blend in and look like anything other than a blanket on your window. However, if it's hidden as the lining on the backside of an otherwise conventional-seeming curtain, it's easier to get away with. 

Curtain Rings

Clip-on rings are the solution with the least sewing required. These are also really handy if you're just evaluating potential looks, because you can clip your wannabe drapes up and then easily take them down again without much fuss. Alas, clip-on rings are super annoying when I want to wash my drapes, because I have to remeasure their placement on the drapes each time. It's only now occurring to me that what I should do is stitch a little x in matching thread where I want each clip to go! Okay, hold on... I'll be back in about an hour. 

 Yeah, that worked great. Do that. Okay, here's how to make your beautiful new drapes!

Step 1: Wash and Dry the Fabrics.

  

 Even if your fabric is new, pre-wash it using the same method you plan to use when you wash your finished drapes. Drying your fabric can be tricky, because that's when fabric gets wrinkled. For wrinkle-free fabric, find a place where you can hang it to dry. Outside on the clothesline is ideal, of course, but I'd rather hang my fabric over the shower rod for an entire day to dry it without wrinkles than throw it in the dryer for an hour then spend three hours ironing.

Step 2: Measure and Cut Any Curtain Fabric.

 If you're using only flat sheets or blankets and therefore don't have to cut anything to size, then you're all set for the next step, you Lucky Duck! 

 Although I used two king-sized sheets for the curtain fabric, I used store-bought fabric for the lining. Above, then, is a photo of my family room after I shoved all the furniture aside and vacuumed the floor. Pretend you don't see the wrinkles, because I'll go live in the chicken coop before I iron all that. Speak this mantra with me: gravity will pull the wrinkles out after the drapes are hung.

Step 3: Sew the Lining Fabric to the Curtain Fabric.

 

Don't forget: we don't see those wrinkles! If you've got enough floor space, backing any large piece of fabric is fairly straightforward. First, tape down the edges of the bottom fabric, pulling it taut as you go. Next, lay the top fabric over it, pulling it taut and lining up the edges with the bottom fabric. Trim to size, then pin together. Finally, remove the tape. 

 I don't usually pin when I'm just sewing a simple, straight seam, but it's more necessary when the two pieces I'm sewing together are so large. It's too easy to get tangled up, otherwise! Here's my secret pro tip for sewing the lining fabric to the curtain fabric: if there are no raw edges (or if the raw edges won't ravel), only sew them together at the top.

Step 4: Clip on the Curtain Rings.

 Drapes are heavy, so they need support every few inches. Clip-on curtain rings are an easy solution, quick to remove and replace and simple to adjust. Eyeball the placement until they look evenly spaced, then clip them onto the drapes and mount the drapes on their curtain rod. 

These DIY drapes are a huge improvement over the vertical blinds that used to live there. During the day, the room is much brighter with drapes that can be completely pushed aside. When I'm asleep, the drapes do a much better job blocking the neighbor's light pollution and the annoyingly early sunrises. Next up, my kid wants her bedroom curtains upgraded to these light-blocking drapes, too. Her window also faces the neighbor's house!

Because My Life Doesn't Have Enough Noise: Rock Tumbling in Progress

 Originally, I just wanted to tumble some of the rocks that the kids and I collected on our Michigan adventure this summer. 

But then when I found the rock tumbler in the garage, I also found a neat little pile of rocks that I set next to it to tumble in some other, long-ago life. 

When did I do such a thing? What distracted me from finishing? 

Honestly, it could have been anytime in the past seven years, and anything from a global pandemic down to a cute cat walking up and asking for pets could have distracted me. Literally yesterday, while digging through my fabric bin searching for Halloween prints, I came across the flat sheet I bought to make bedroom curtains as a pandemic project. I had sewed the curtains for the bigger window, and then a squirrel ran by or I got hungry for a snack or something and I completely forgot about sewing the curtain for the smaller window... EVEN THOUGH I ALREADY HAD ALL THE MATERIALS!!!

So after I found the Halloween prints I was looking for, I sat down and finished sewing the sheet to the blackout fabric. It took maybe ten minutes, and that includes setting up the sewing machine and threading a bobbin. 

Now that that's done, back to rock tumbling!

Here, then, is the combination of Michigan rocks and previously collected rocks that I added to the tumbler barrel:

I added coarse grit and some plastic pellets, then set up the world's noisiest rock tumbler out in the garage:

Just... don't even try rock tumbling if you don't have a garage or basement or someplace VERY far away from the rest of humanity. It. Is. So. NOISY!!!

Here are my nice little rocks two weeks later!

And here they are rinsed off:

They look shinier than they are because they're still wet, but still, I'm very pleased with how much nicer they are already:

I had trouble getting all the grit rinsed out of every rocky little nook, so I put them back in the tumbler with a couple of squirts of dishwashing liquid and some more water--

I'll rinse them again tomorrow and start them with medium grit.

Now I should probably go do that Halloween sewing project before a kitten walks by and I'm distracted until next Halloween...