Parent Writers-Training Class

Parents can teach their children to write! Using the best writing curriculum (in my opinion the Institute for Excellence in Writing) they can teach an 8 year old or an 18 year old (the only difference is the speed it's taught). But the learning curve when using IEW can be steep. 

I recommend you be trained in the program before you teach. In my experience, although the writing pattern is clear, to teach it successfully you need to see it done. I enjoyed Andrew Pudewa's training dvds, but they cost $169 (although I heard Diane Hopkins at Love To Learn might be willing to rent her set out). So, I teach a class for $20 and in 4 hours take parents through the text explaining and demonstrating how to teach using the IEW method. 

The next Parent Writers-Training Class is:
Date: Saturday August 17 2013
Time: 10am-2pm
Location: Chris Jones Conference Room, 680 E. State St. Lehi, UT
Cost: $20.00
Bring: A copy of All Things Fun And Fascinating (you can buy at www.ldfr.com, use the code "Valerie" for free shipping). And bring a lunch!

~Valerie Harmon

Essay Writing Camp

I've been concerned that students who haven't taken Introduction To Writing before, that they will have a more difficult time jumping right into the Intermediate Writing. I want my writing classes to be a positive experience!

So, I've set up a "Cram Course" AKA Essay Writing Camp. This is my Intro to Writing class crammed into three weeks. It's only for teens 13 and up and students must attend every class and commit to doing the writing homework, since we'll be whirling through the book. But by the end you'll be familiar with the IEW pattern and writing 3 paragraph essays (and be more prepared for Intermediate writing)! 


CRAM COURSE/Essay Writing Camp DETAILS:

Text needed: All Things Fun and Fascinating (buy at www.iew.com or www.ldfr.com (Free Shipping if you use the code "Valerie")Dates: August 12-August 29 Mondays 11am-1pmThursdays 10:30-12:30amCost $85Location: Chris Jones Group conference room 680 E. State St. Lehi, UTAges: 13 and up

~Valerie Harmon

Highland Classes FULL

I have room in my Provo writing classes, but my Highland classes are FULL. Here are the Provo classes information:

BEGINNING WRITING 

This class begins with a one paragraph essay and finishes with research papers and three paragraph essays.

Ages: 10-17 (must know how to type)
Dates: Mondays from September 9-November 18
Cost: $150 if you bring your own text, $185 if I provide the text
Text: All Things Fun And Fascinating student manual  FREE Shipping if you use "Valerie" as your code at checkout.

Time: 9:00-10:30 in Provo
Location: Provo, The Grow House


INTERMEDIATE WRITING (two classes, two locations)

This class teaches essay writing with a US History theme, from the Explorers to the Gold Rush. Pre-requisite: Students should take Intro to Writing first, since this class begins where Intro to Writing ends.

Ages: 13-18
Dates: Mondays from September 9-November 18
Cost: $150 if you bring your own text, $185 if I provide the text
Text: US History-Based Writing Lessons, Volume 1 student manual FREE Shipping if you use "Valerie" as your code at checkout.

Time: 10:30am-12:00pm in Provo
Location: Provo, The Grow House

Essay Writing Classes for Fall 2013

BEGINNING WRITING (two classes, two locations)

This class begins with a one paragraph essay and finishes with research papers and three paragraph essays.

Ages: 10-17 (must know how to type)
Dates: Mondays from September 9-November 18
Cost: $150 if you bring your own text, $185 if I provide the text
Text: All Things Fun And Fascinating student manual  FREE Shipping if you use "Valerie" as your code at checkout.

Time: 2:30-4:00 in Highland
Location: Highland, George Mueller Academy

Time: 9:00-10:30 in Provo
Location: Provo, The Grow House


INTERMEDIATE WRITING (two classes, two locations)

This class teaches essay writing with a US History theme, from the Explorers to the Gold Rush. Pre-requisite: Students should take Intro to Writing first, since this class begins where Intro to Writing ends.

Ages: 13-18
Dates: Mondays from September 9-November 18
Cost: $150 if you bring your own text, $185 if I provide the text
Text: US History-Based Writing Lessons, Volume 1 student manual FREE Shipping if you use "Valerie" as your code at checkout.

Time: 1:00-2:30pm in Highland
Location: Highland, George Mueller Academy 

Time: 10:30am-12:00pm in Provo
Location: Provo, The Grow House

Two Math Classes from HarmonyPen

Normally the classes I offer are writing classes. But now that I've found the perfect writing curriculum and am teaching that, I'm looking for a way to lift the weakness I see with students in Math. And it's not so easy to find a good Math teacher. A group class would be useful, because there'd be accountability, and a group setting really helps the accountability factor. So I am putting together 2 classes: Math 7 and Algebra 1.

I've researched and chewed over so many different math curriculum. Since my classes are once a week, I'm going to need a math text that assists the student with every problem, but isn't so boring they want to pull their hair out. I would also like part of the class to be inspiring about math, so that my students can catch the vision from someone who is a math enthusiast. If possible, I also want to come at math from several different directions so that students who learn in different ways can still catch on to Pre-Algebra.

So I've found the curriculum I want to incorporate into my teaching:

Curriculum: For on-their-own math study: Teaching Textbooks (which has a teacher on dvd demonstrating every lesson AND every problem if needed). We've tried Saxon. We've tried all kinds of patched together curriculum. Teaching Textbooks has been approved by my two eldest children. Yay!

I found a Math teacher named Barbara to help with the math classes. She has 30 years experience, patience and willingness to use manipulatives to explain concepts. She will be available to answer math questions with an inspiring love of mathematics!

Accountability: Students will be required to complete (and grade their own, fixing their errors and coming with questions to class) five math assignments a week from Teaching Textbooks.

Assessment: Have your student take these assessment tests to know if he/she should take the class: Is your student ready for Math 7? Is your student ready for Algebra 1?

Class will cost: $300 includes everything
Location: The Harmon Schoolroom in Lehi
Times: Math 7 from 2:45-3:45pm, Algebra 1 from 3:45-4:45pm
Dates: Thursdays, September 5-December 12. No class Nov. 28.
Number of students: 1 spot left in Math 7, Algebra 1 FULL

Email me with your questions and if you are interested in registering!

Welcome to Harmony Pen!

Welcome to my blog, Harmony Pen!

My name is Valerie Harmon, and I teach writing classes in Utah County. I started this blog as a way to collect the best writing from my students and to make my writing class information more accessible.

First, you must know that I believe the Institute for Excellence in Writing has created the best essay writing curriculum I've ever seen! I wish I had learned the pattern as a Freshman in college--then it wouldn't have taken me a year and a half to figure out an "A" essay pattern on my own. And yet the pattern is so clear, I can teach it to an 8 year old. I am a HUGE fan of IEW and that is what I use in my essay writing classes.

Second, which IEW books (out of the many) do I recommend? I recommend All Things Fun and Fascinating for an Introductory Writing class and U.S. History Volume 1 Student Manual for an Intermediate Writing class.

I've taught the Medieval-themed text and really enjoyed it. It's a good follow up book to ATFF but easier than the more intermediate US History text.  I did not enjoy and cannot recommend the Bible Writing-themed text (the IEW pattern encourages re-writing and "dressing up" a text, and I did NOT feel comfortable re-writing the Bible).

Third, if you want to use the IEW curriculum, I highly encourage you to watch Andrew Pudewa's parent training dvds (you can buy the set or rent it from Love To Learn) or come to one of my parent trainings ($20 for a four hour session). Although the pattern is clear and fabulous, there's a learning curve to know how to teach it, and you'll be far more successful if you take some training. Don't skip the training!

Fourth, if you order All Things Fun and Fascinating, or U.S. History from Love to Learn, use the code "Valerie" and you'll get FREE SHIPPING (I don't earn any money off the sale, I'm just letting you know of a good deal)!

Fifth, I have taught novel writing from IEW before, and I found the text How To Write A Story

useful as a teaching supplement but not as a student text. Instead, my formula was a short 10 minute lecture on an aspect from How To Write A Story, and then Writing Races (write for 15 minutes, count up the words, the winner gets a sweet). My students also set writing goals for the week that they get a sweet if they accomplish. The most important thing I teach my students is to Finish The Story. Each of my students has novel ideas that are publishable. The biggest difference between them and a published author is a finished story. I'm not saying it has to be polished yet. But it has to be written all the way to the end (and then edited), and yet that is the biggest obstacle for a novelist.

I wasn't going to teach Novel Writing this coming year, but my 12 year old son wants to finish his novel, and he's so encouraged by a writing group that I just changed my mind.

Best writing wishes to you and enjoy my blog!
~Valerie Harmon

An Essay Winner!!

One of my students, Abbie C. just won the prestigious Freedom Festival Essay Contest. I'd like to take full credit, since she'd just finished one of my essay classes. But I know better! I added to her skills, but she did all the work and I am SO PROUD of her!

This is what she said:
Just wanted to share with you. Utah recently held an essay contest as part of their Freedom Festival, and high school students were encouraged to submit an essay on the topic of "How Does the Constitution Ensure the Values of Family, Freedom, God, and Country for Our Everyday Lives?"

Of all the thousands of students that participated - public, private, charter, homeschool - I WON! This includes a cash prize, excerpts of my essay being published, and getting to ride on a float for Utah's Freedom Festival Parade!  Thanks to all my family, friends, and amazing teacher (my mother and +Valerie Harmon who taught an essay writing class) for their support.

Go Abbie!
~Valerie Harmon