I have a love-hate relationship with writing. While I generally like writing, I have a hard time teaching it to my kids. This past year I realized that what I was using as writing curriculum for my older two children was not going to work for my then 9 year old. I needed to find a curriculum that would be comprehensive so I knew I wasn’t skipping concepts, a curriculum that walked my daughter through the process, and a curriculum that was easy enough to implement and teach. I turned to WriteShop Junior Level D to see if this would work for us. {There is a fun announcement, a freebie, and a giveaway at the end of the post! Scroll down to see}
There are several components that make up this curriculum:
Teacher’s Guide
Student Activity Pack: includes brainstorming sheets, forms, and other worksheets and the Level 1 Fold-N-Go Grammar Pack
Time Saver Pack: ready-made props for many Book D activities. This is optional, but I loved that I didn’t have to stop and make anything for the lesson.
These are all available in either print or e-book versions.
Getting Started with WriteShop Junior Book D:
What is the age-range for WriteShop Junior Book D?
When I received my new curriculum, the first thing I did flip through the teacher’s manual. The front portion of the book explains how to schedule the lesson, various lesson components, and what you will need for each lesson (Don’t skip these pages! They explain what will be going on in future lessons.) I used a Post-It note to highlight pages I would need to refer to often (like the editing page). Once I understood how the lessons were structured, I spent some time gathering and organizing materials.
There are 10 units in the curriculum, which is a full year’s worth of lessons. I made a folder for each lesson and then filed the student pages and any time-save activity pages in the correct folder. This way I’m not searching around for papers when I start the lesson.
I also set up a writing center bag. This houses all the materials needed for my daughter to write plus the Grammar Folders (both the ones we have completed and the ones we still need to complete). You can click on the link above to see exactly what is in our writing center bag.
The Lessons:
Each unit contains an overview, materials needed, and eight activities. A unit can be completed in two weeks or three weeks, depending on which writing schedule you choose. The teacher needs to read through the lesson before starting.You do need to have a general idea of where the lesson is going before starting. I thought the lessons gave me enough information, examples, and verbiage on how to present the topic to my daughter. You can find examples of the lessons here: WriteShop D examples.
What We Thought:
We have completed 2 units so far in WriteShop D. No tears have been shed during the teaching of these units by either me or my daughter. 🙂 My daughter is enjoying writing. Each lesson is broken down into just the right amount of information for her to digest. Having games and brainstorming sheets has helped her not be afraid to write. We both like the approach to grammar via the grammar folders. During each unit a grammar folder is made which then becomes a reference tool.
As the teacher, I thought the curriculum does a great job helping me teach. Once I got everything organized, it was easy to implement. I love the various brainstorming sheets and checklists for the students, games and hands-on examples. WriteShop presents writing as something that can be fun!
WriteShop offers writing curriculum for all ages— kindergarten – highschool. I am planning on having my other children transition to WriteShop for next year.
Some Freebie FUN:
WriteShop is going to be having a Twitter Party and you are invited! Join @WriteShop on Tues. April 17th at 9:00 pm EST for some prizes and fellowship! Follow the hashtag #WriteShopParty
Here’s a special party favor just for you! Print out a 4×6 photo prompt for some creative writing inspiration! (Lego scene created by my son.)
You can collect the other three writing prompts by visiting: In Our Write Minds, Wonderfully Chaotic, and Bowmania.
That’s not all…
We’re hosting a pre-party giveaway! You can win your choice of WriteShop Primary Level Writing Curriculum A, B, or C ( e-book version). Enter via Rafflecopter below.
Disclosure: I was given WriteShop D to review. Opinions in this post are mine.
I find that teaching the editing process is the most difficult to teach…Could this be because it is my own LEAST favorite step in the writing process? Hmmm…:)
I am just beginning to think about teaching writting so for me the challange is finding a curriculum that we like to start out with.
I am very interested in using WriteShop Primary A. I will have a 1st grader and a Kindergartener I think it will work for both of them a good start in writting and the lessons look really fun which is always a plus!
I love love LOVE the writing center idea! Why didn't I think of that?! 😛
…danielle
tanzie213@yahoo.com
I'd get WriteShop Primary A for my budding author. 🙂
…danielle
I love teaching writing. When I was a classroom teacher, this was my strength. However, I have recently been looking at various writing curricula for our homeschool journey so your post is timely. I love how you use 31 bags for organizing homeschool.
I would get either Level A or B. I will have to go look at the samples carefully to see which will fit my daughter better. I'm leaning toward A just to know I haven't missed anything:)
I'm leaning toward getting A, but would have to make sure by looking at the samples that it would fit my daughter.
I would need to begin with Writeshop A for my two girls. One struggles to put ideas to paper and the other doesn't want to write at all!
I would love to get Writeshop Primary and WriteShop 1. I have had this curricula bookmarked for next school year.
I find the hardest thing is to motivate my 13 yo old son. He doesn't want to write, therfore, he makes it more difficult on all of us.
I'm starting to homeschool next year, and I fear teaching writing because I think it would be easy to keep putting it off.
I would love to get Writeshop Primary A since we've got young ones here. I've had my eye on this for a while.
Great giveaway, my friend! Writing {Even though I write daily} is one of the hardest things for me to teach. I think that's due to the subjectivity of writing.
I'd love to try Writeshop — sounds fabulous!
I'd take any product, my friend! Having multiple children means that almost all work. Honestly, though, I'd love to start with the beginning with some of my littles and I'm looking forward to trying this awesome program with them!
I would love to try A. I just don't know where to start with writing. My son doesn't have the dexterity to write yet (to hold a pencil properly) even though he's finishing Kindergarten now. I really would like to try this to see if it will help!
My son told me last night he does not like what we are using this year for Grammar…he is now making his own curriculum using some books we have around the house (which I love)…but just spent an hour looking at Writeshop
I would love to get Writeshop Primary A since that will be the first writing curriculum I will be needing. I had never heard of this curriculum before, but it looks very promising.
We have and LOVE WriteShop A, so I'd really want to get B.
My concerns with teaching writing is being able to get the kids to actually like writing. I love writing and teaching writing, but I am worried that I can't get my kids to love it as much as I do. Fingers crossed that I can make it fun for them.
I am undecided between the A-D….would really need to figure out which one we would need.
I answered both of the questions in one post lol! My challenge is figuring out how to get my left handed kiddo to hold a pencil properly and carefully make the right shapes right now.
Here's a placement guide for WriteShop Primary: http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2010/02/01/writeshop-primary-more-help-with-choosing-a-starting-level/
If I could get any WriteShop product it would it be Level A and then their Write Shop material for grades 6-8.
My concerns or challenges in teaching writing is the grammar part, teaching the nouns, predicates, adjectives…
My 7, almost 8yr old, son HATES to write. It's always a struggle so I haven't done much with him. WriteShop Primary looks like a great program to ease him into writing, and actually enjoying it! 🙂
I would love to get Writeshop Primary A this would be the best to use for my kindergarten kids.
Right now I'm just concerned that my oldest boy ever has the attention span to put pencil to paper long enough to write more than one sentence at a time!
Staying systematic with this, because let's face it, I'm not the most organized person in the world.
oh, and because I don't want to mess up the entries with extra comments, let's hope I'm not doing it this way, but I hit enter too soon.
Love how your organizing this!
Now, see if I'd just finished reading the contest entry rules I'd of saved myself some trouble and seen I had a second reason to comment……..
I think level A, it's almost too easy for my kids right now, but I think it's probably the right level. There's still some skills they haven't covered.
I am SO lost about teaching writing and would LOVE to try this curriculum!!
That's my dd! This program has been a tremendous help.
I'd really want the original "Write Shop" for my 9th grade son 🙂
I would get level C because I already have A and B! 😉
My biggest problem is finding a program that doesn't elicit a lot of complaining from my daughter.
I'd like to get level A so I could use it with my youngest one day.
I am thinking Primary level B or C for my 7yo. Fantastic story-teller, not so much into writing!
My 3rd homeschool student has dyslexia/dysgraphia and teaching writing doesn't seem to be as straight forward with him as it did with my first two. I'm looking to Write Shop.
For my son who hasn't done much writing due to dyslexia/dysgraphia, I'm thinking to start with Level D Junior program.
My daughter hates to write. PERIOD. That's a HUGE obstacle.
I would like to have WriteShop book D. My son struggles with writing and this would be the right fit to help in this area.
I'd love either WriteShop book B, C, D or Wordsmith Apprentice.–I've got a kid in each level 🙂 My oldest did Wordsmith Apprentice this year and LOVED it!
Jasmine sugarplum2526@yahoo.com
We have A now and LOVE it!
My 3rd grader hates to write. I really need something to engage his brain. He gets bored easily and I need something that will keep him interested.
My problem is not being consistent with the writing process. Im afraid Im goint to hurt them and pick enough that the process isn't going to be fun enough…
If I could get any product from writeshop I would choose the new level d… xoxo
I would like Write Shop Primary and A
We are just about ready for Book D. The graphics turned out so well!
Thanks for the Twitter Party.
Blessings,
PK
I would get primary A or B. I have 3 kids I would want to use it on 🙂
I would get primary A or B to use with my soon to be second grader next year!
Always my concern is finding a motivation for writing for my student…
HEATHERLBRANDT (AT) FRONTIER (DOT) COM
I would get the Primary A or B to use.
I have a struggle to get my kids to write anything.:)
I really don't know where to start with teaching writing to my kids.
I can't settle on a curriculum to use to teach writing!
What has been your favorite part of homeschooling?
If I had to pick just one Write Shop item to order, it would be a toss up between the Primary B and the Storybuilders. Both look great!
I have a beginner writer, and although she's very creative, it's tough getting it down on paper. this sounds like a fun approach.
My daughter just turned 7 this Jan., we haven't done any writing yet. I am scared to teach it without a curriculum guide. Writting is not an area I am strong in. This curriculum would be great for me to be able to teach her all the different rules of writing.
I would choose Primary level A, since my daughter is new to writing.
I would buy the primary b Write shop item.
My greatest challenge in teaching writing is with my 7 year old, who has difficulty with fine motor skills.
I am just beginning to teach writing in the primary grades – K. I would love to check out this curriculum. I have no idea where to start.
If I could choose any product… Write Shop Junior would be great!
If I could get anything, right now I would most definitely get Write Shop Primary Book A Teacher Guide. I will begin homeschooling my oldest in Kindergarten this fall and writing is definitely an area I want to encourage and have fun with from the start.
I am just starting out homeschooling my three children, ages 7, 5, & 3, and I would love to start out by trying the WriteShop Primary Book A!
Would love to try this!
My biggest concern is trying to find something that is comprehensive and will cover everything for my kids to be creative and motivated writers!
My biggest worry is encouraging my son to write about something other than Doctor Who!
I am not a great writer, so teaching writing to my daughter intimidates me. I need a thorought program that is very descriptive and laid out step by step. Thank you.
I would choose D for my rising 4th grader.
Writeshop sounds like a great curriculum. I’m anxious to use it, and winning would certainly help! I love the posts on Facebook. They are really helpful.
I definitely need help in this area. Would love to win level A or B.
challenges/concerns in teaching writing…keeping the interest high for my child to stay motivated to write and learn grammar
If I could choose any WriteShop product, I would choose Level A because we’re ready to start at the beginning!
I looked into this ages ago, but went with IEW instead. I’ll have to look at it for older kids, though IEW is amazing! Great site!