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Summer is just around the corner and along with it comes vacations, summer camps, and lots of other things that should keep us busy and away from our computers. So the Homeschool Kids Write blog will be taking a break from giving assignments. But if you come back in late August, there will be new writing projects to kick off the school year.

If you stumbled upon this blog during the summer or would like to do assignments you haven't already done (or even do some of the assignments again), feel free to do so. Author keeps tabs on Mr. Linky and tries her best to visit all her classmates.

It has been a super fun year and I have really enjoyed reading all your posts. I look forward to "seeing" you all again at summer's end. Until then, have a wonderfully blessed summer and keep on writing.

For a lot of students, the school year is winding down. Think back on your year of learning. What is something new that you learn this year that you found interesting and want to learn more about? What is something new that you learned that you thought was boring? What was your easiest subject and what was the hardest? Explain why you feel this way.

Come back and sign Mr. Linky after posting your assignment.

Yesterday, May 10th, 2009, we celebrated mothers. Taking the idea from the movie "Freaky Friday", for this week's assignment, pretend that you woke up one morning and realize that you have switched places with your mother. Write about your adventures as your mom.

After posting your assignment, come back and sign Mr. Linky so we can read your story.

Clichés are phrases that have been over-used and become commonplace. You may have heard such phrases as “when pigs fly”, “ants in his pants”, “just like riding a bike”, and “if I told you once, I told you twice”. There are hundreds more. First make a list of all the clichés you can think of. Then your challenge this week is to write a story and use as many clichés as you can. If you need some help thinking of clichés you can search the web for help, but be careful because some clichés do not use appropriate words. (ask your parents to help).

After posting your assignment please come back and sign Mr. Linky.

A lot of people are planting gardens this year. This week pretend that you have special seeds that grow into anything that you want. What kind of seeds would you plant? How would you tend to your special garden? What would you do with your crops? Use your imagination.

"Oh my ears and whiskers, how late it's getting!" (from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll)

In Lewis Carroll's book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice follows a white rabbit right down into his hole and has many strange adventures as she enters into Wonderland. 

Pretend that you have followed your own white rabbit down into his hole. Write about one of the adventures you might have in Wonderland.

Don't foget to come back and sign Mr. Linky.

Spring Break. A lot of schools take a break from their studies in the spring. Does your family take a Spring Break?

After posting your assignment, please come back and sign Mr. Linky.

On Sunday we will celebrate Easter, the day the Jesus rose from the grave and defeated death once and for all.

In Matthew 26-28, read the story of the sacrifice Jesus made so that the gates of Heaven would be open to those who believe.

Although we cannot compare ourselves to Him or what He did for us, write about a time you sacrificed something for the benefit of others. For example, you gave up a play date to babysit so someone could go out or you gave away your favorite toy to someone who did not have.

After posting your assignment come back and sign Mr. Linky.

In 1867 on March 30th, Secretary of State, William H. Seward purchased Alaska for $7.2 million, which was about 2 cents per acre. At the time it was called “Seward's Folly” because people believed it was foolish to buy such a remote and frozen piece of property. It has since been proved to be a valuable natural resource and strategic benefit.

Have you ever bought something that others thought was a foolish purchase? What did you buy and what were the reasons others thought it was foolish? After your purchase, were the others right or did you enjoy the benefits of your purchase? Did you learn something from the experience?

After posting your assignment, please come back and sign Mr. Linky. And don't forget to visit your classmates. They would love to hear your positive thoughts.

Spring officially arrived March 20th. Try your hand at an acrostic poem.
In acrostic poems the letters of a word are written vertically down the side of the page and then a sentence is written beginning with each letter. The lines don’t have to rhyme. For example:

Sweet sounds of birds call
Pretty flowers peak their heads
Rain awakens buds on the trees
Interesting animals come out of their homes
Nests of all kinds appear
God paints the world with newness

Now it’s your turn. Write your own acrostic poem about spring. You don’t have to use the word “spring” but please use a word that reminds you of spring.

After posting your assignment please come back and add you link to Mr. Linky so others can see what you have written.

On March 17th St. Patrick, one of the patron saints of Ireland, is remembered. There are a lot of stories that surround St. Patrick one being that he drove the snakes out of Ireland which my refer to driving out of the Druids or unsound doctrines of the time. Another story speaks of him teaching about Trinity using the shamrock as a reference. Many people wear green on St. Patrick’s Day in remembrance of him.

Pretend that the color green has been outlawed. Think about all the things that would have to be changed if the color green was not allowed. Write about what you think it would be like if the color green was illegal.

After posting, please come back and sign Mr. Linky. Don't forget to take time to visit your classmates blogs and encourage them.

Dialogue is used to show that two or more characters are having a conversation. The words that are spoken are usually enclosed in quotation marks and usually there is an indication of who said what.
For example:

“Good morning, Writers,” said Author.
The writers replied, “Good morning, Author. How are you today?”
“Very well, thank you. I hope you have fun with this week’s assignment.”

This week try your hand at writing a dialogue. Pretend that your lunch can speak to you and write a conversation between your sandwich and yourself.

After posting your assignment, please come back and sign Mr. Linky.

Snow. This week, many of us received a covering of snow.  Pretend you are a snowflake and write the story of your life. Describe your journey from the sky to the ground and tell what happened to you after you had landed.

After you have posted your entry please come back and sign Mr. Linky.

February 22, 2009, the 81st Academy Awards were presented.  Also known as the Oscars, the Academy is given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recognition of the people who work in the film industry. In addition to awards for best director, best writer and other behind the scene professionals, the most popular categories are for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Picture.

Pretend that you can give out your own Oscar for the Best Movie. What movie would that be and why do you think it is worthy of such a prestigious award? The movie does not have to be a new movie, but any movie you have ever seen.

On the third Monday in February, Americans celebrated President’s Day. Originally it was meant to honor George Washington’s birthday (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 11) but it has been come to be known as a day to recognize all the U.S. Presidents.

Saturday, February 14th, is Valentine’s Day. This day is traditionally observed with the giving of cards, flowers and/or candy.

This week, make a list of things you can do to express your love for someone without buying something. Also, write about some ways you can show how much you love God. Challenge yourself to do some or all of the things on your list.

After posting your assignment, please come back and sign Mr. Linky.

Do your relatives share stories with you about their lives? Everyone has a story from their lives that they like to tell. This is one way that family history is passed down. Think about a story that someone in your family has told you. Write that story in your own words. If you can’t think of one, ask someone to tell you about something they remember well from their lives.

Come back and sign Mr. Linky. Don't forget to put the link to where your assignment is so others can read what you have written.

Wow! We now have 50 assignments, Before I give you this week's assignment I want to thank all those who have been participating with us. I have read all kinds of wonderful stories and enjoyed every one. Keep up the great work!

This week, in recognition of our 50th assignment, try to write a short paragraph about anything you like. The trick is to say what you want with exactly 50 words, no more no less. Not as easy as you might think.

After you have posted your assignment, come back and sign Mr. Linky. Remember to add the link to where you have your assignment posted so we can enjoy what you have written.

History will be made this week with the inauguration of Barrack Obama. We also celebrate an American hero this week, Martin Luther King, Jr. After doing a little research about the effect Martin Luther King had on America, write about how you think the events of his life has had an influence on the events of this week.

Don’t forget to come back and sign Mr. Linky.

Adjectives and adverbs add life to a story. 

An adjective is a word that modifies (describes) a noun or pronoun and usually answers the questions: Which one? How many? What kind?

For more information about adjectives check out these sites:
The Guide to Grammar and Writing

Chomp Chomp

Enchanted Learning

Or watch this Grammar Rock Video

An adverb is used to modify (describe) a verb, an adjective, or another adverb and usually answers these questions:  How? When? Where? To what extent?

For more information about adverbs check out these sites:
The Guide to Grammar and Writing

Chomp Chomp

Enchanted Learning
Or watch this Grammar Rock Video

For this assignment write a short paragraph about something you did last week but do not use any adjectives or adverbs.  Then rewrite the same paragraph but add lots of adjectives and adverbs. Which one do you think tells your story better?