Susan Wise Bauer's Blog, page 11

The Unplugged Mom interview

A couple of weeks ago I had a very entertaining conversation on Unplugged Mom. One of us is playing devil's advocate. Curious as to your reactions.

You can find the conversation here.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-12-18

Have just spent far too long figuring out how to spell CAMOUFLAGE. Kept sticking in unnecessary U vowels. #
CAMOUFLAGE. Impossible to spell. "To escape the notice of predators." This is, naturally, French. #
Thinking of updating your Mac to OS X Lion? Go ahead. Just be aware that NOTHING will work after you install it. NOTHING AT ALL. #

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Thank you, Washington Post

Thanks to the Washington Post for this shout-out:

Susan Wise Bauer's The Art of the Public Grovel: Sexual Sin and Public Confession in America (2008) should be required reading. (In fact, anyone seeking public office might want to order a copy pronto.)

Whenever I check the news and find that yet another politician has been forced to own up to stepping out, I brace myself for the phone to ring. If you want job security, turn into an expert on public scandal.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-12-11

I need a metaphor. What's a thing that draws different things together to make one thing? Answer can't use word "thing." #
OK, you guys are close, but I need actual THING that draws them together. Like the ring on a spindle that draws strands together into yarn. #
Editing, this morning. As soon as I'm finished with the Crusades, I can go have a hot bath. The Crusaders probably said the same thing. #
If the Crusaders could have kicked back at end of day with a glass of red wine & Top Chef, the 13th century would have been a nicer place. #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-12-04

Writing in fingerless gloves for the first time this year. Think fall has finally hit. #
Em and Dan home alone, Pete and I heading home from W'burg now, where t u?? #
It's just depressing when the closest copy of a primary source I need is in…Wales. #

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Coming in February…

We just put this information up at the Well-Trained Mind site, so I thought I'd post it here as well…for anyone who might be interested.

The Complete Writer Weekend Workshop

A seminar for parents and students

Peace Hill

18021 The Glebe Lane

Charles City, Virginia

Friday, Feb. 10, 4 PM – Saturday, Feb. 11, 5:30 PM

Registration opens 11AM, Monday, December 5th.

Sponsored by Peace Hill Press

Registration fee: $35 per family

These sessions are intended for both parents and students. If you'd like us to consider including your student in one of the hands-on sessions taught by Susan, please contact us with the student's name, age, overall grade level (more or less), and a brief explanation of the student's writing ability, including any particular challenges.

Sessions will be taped for inclusion in a DVD lecture series. Attendees will be asked to sign a release form allowing them to appear on the DVD. If you register, we ask that you be willing to sign this form.

Local lodging options and information here. Williamsburg lodging options and information here.  (25-40 minutes away)

A list of local restaurants can be found here (Charles City) and here (Providence Forge). (The options are few. This is farm country.)

Picnic dinners for Friday and box lunches for Saturday are available for an additional fee; please contact us for details.

SPACE IS LIMITED!

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

FRIDAY

4-5:30 PM Overview: Why Writing Programs Fail

An overall plan for producing good writers at home.  We will cover how to teach the skills of writing  sequentially, by guiding your student through a simple progression (copying, dictation, narration, summarizing, outlining, short critical essays, long critical essays, research paper) that develops both writing and thinking skills in a systematic manner.  Includes suggestions on how to use these writing and thinking skills in every area of the curriculum.

5:30-7 Dinner break

7-8:30 Writing With Ease: The First Stage

Elementary Writing

This workshop focuses on the most foundational skills of writing: putting ideas into words, putting words on the page, and how to bring those two skills together.  Includes a specific plan for developing these skills through copywork, dictation, and narration across the curriculum, as well as step-by-step guidance in how to dictate/narrate. Common (and not so common) difficulties are also addressed.  Recommended for those teaching all K-6 students, as well as for those teaching older students who are reluctant writers.

SATURDAY

9-9:45 AM Dictation and Narration: A Demonstration

Susan will demonstrate dictatation and narration with elementary students. If you'd like your student to participate, please contact us.

9:45-10 AM Coffee Break

10-11:30 Writing With Skill: The Second Stage

Logic-Stage Writing

Expanding on the principles presented in "A Plan for Teaching Writing," this workshop offers very specific guidance in how to teach middle grade (logic-stage) students the skills of constructing an argument, outlining and writing from an outline.  Includes training in outlining, writing from an outline, basic  Socratic dialogue, and evaluation and grading.  Essential for those teaching all 5th to 8th grade students; since written argumentation is the basis of high school writing, this seminar is also highly recommended for those teaching high school students.  Students in grades 5-12 are encouraged to attend.

11:30-11:45 Break

11:45-12:45 Middle Grade Master Class

Susan will walk middle-grade students through the process of organizing, writing, and proofreading a brief composition.  If you'd like your student to participate, please contact us.  Students must be willing to prepare ahead of time.

12:45-2 Lunch Break

2-3:30 Writing With Style: The Third Stage

High School Writing

Expanding on the principles presented in "A Plan for Teaching Writing," this seminar covers all of the types of writing that high school students should learn before entering the freshman year of college: response papers, summaries, and critical essays across the curriculum.  Attendance at "Focus on the Middle Grades" seminar is highly recommended.  Students in grades 8-12 are encouraged to attend.

3:30-4 Tea Break

4-5:30 High School Master Class

Susan will teach a selected topic to high school students and help them to form a response paper.  If you'd like your student to participate, please contact us.  Students must be willing to prepare ahead of time.

5:30 Closing Thoughts (And Coffee for the Road)

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-11-27

Although I should be worrying about more momentous things, I want to know how to cook fennel. I grew it. I like to eat it. What do I do now? #
2 new horses now at farm. Draft horse, eclipsed by newcomers, in permanent snit. A ton of Belgian draft horse in a snit: not a pretty sight. #
Browning floured beef in bacon drippings. All is right with the world. #

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2012 Speaking Schedule

I've just posted my 2012 speaking schedule online right here. So if you'd like to come say hello in person any time over the next year, maybe you can choose one of these fine venues.

I'm contemplating taking a break from speaking in 2013, by the way, so THIS MIGHT BE YOUR LAST CHANCE for a while. (Experimenting here to find out if creating scarcity will produce a huge swell of additional interest and activity. Well…okay, a swell. Or a bump.)

As you've probably noticed from the paucity of blog entries, I've been writing hard; most of my creative energy at the moment is going into the History of the Renaissance World. But I should have some interesting updates for you before too long.

Promise.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-11-13

Post-meeting and pre-lunch, hanging out at a spare desk in the Norton production offices and working on timelines. #
Home-school-mom dilemma: Do I shake11yo dd, engrossed in Martin the Warrior, off sofa to do much-needed math lesson? #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-11-06

Sick, watching I Am Legend for comfort. Nothing like huge global catastrophe to make cough/itty-bitty fever completely irrelevant. OR IS IT? #
Turns out that when a medieval chronicler ascribes someone's death to "colic and infected piles" he probably means "amoebic dysentery." Eww. #
‎101-degree fever and still writing. Medieval church law makes a LOT more sense when enhanced with a few extra degrees of heat. #
Listening to Vaughan Williams while sucking down hydrocodone-chlorpheniram cough syrup. Whoaaah, dude. I can see the universe breathing. #
I am now unfollowing anyone who posts more than 10 X-Factor related tweets within an hour. People, if I cared, I'd watch it. #

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