I’ve discovered that as I have more kids to teach (you know, differing ages at the same time) I have less time available to plan lessons and complete various projects; I sometimes lack the creativity and the time!  So, I was happy to receive another product to review from WriteShop, their Primary Book A (B and C to follow soon), a creative writing program for K-3.  This is a great help in guiding your child so each story is really their story, even from a young age!

I like the versatility of WriteShop Primary.  The themes of the lessons (animals, friends, rhyming) were fun for the kids and easy for me to tie in with other lessons (science, devotions).  I’m always looking for ways to double up around here!  Also, even though there are actual handwriting pages, Mom can write what the child dictates for the stories, then have the younger child use that for copywork.  I just love that about homeschooling:  We can meet our kids where they’re at, and we wouldn’t want handwriting struggles interfering with their creativity.  I used this with my 6- and 8-year-olds, and they both enjoyed it and impressed me!

WriteShop Primary is available in both print and E-book format. You need the Teacher’s Guide ($26.95, or $24.25 E-book), but I highly recommend the Activity Set Workbook Pack ($4.95, or $4.50 E-book) which has an activity page and a writing practice page that corresponds to that lesson’s theme.  I particulary like the e-book version for this instead of buying a workbook for each of my kids.  I can include the almost-4-year-old, yet not feel a book is wasted because she doesn’t do every lesson that the two older kids do.  There are 10 lessons which would provide 30 weeks of lessons for a K or first grader, whereas an older child could do the program more quickly.

This program is laid out with all of the details for the parent (read: saves time).  A scheduling plan, where to shop for needed materials and tips on creating a writing center are all so helpful; they didn’t leave anything out!  The children are guided in their story telling but also have a hands-on activity or project for each lesson.  For example, one lesson is on Story structure, with the focus being constructing a beginning, middle, and end; the theme is trains and the kids actually assemble a paper train with a beginning, middle and end that their story is written on.

I’ve really enjoyed the WriteShop products we’ve reviewed this year.  Their website is full of helpful information including determining placement level, scope and sequence, and sample lessons.  WriteShop actually began with creative writing curriculum for high school, and they’re obviously expanding these days! You should check out their Family Tree book, too.  Your kids could write historical fiction about your own family!  I’ve never seen anything like it!

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Posted by rjdjohn316

I thought I would answer your comment(s) now. :)

Glad you liked the bunny photos. I thought your kitties were very cute. Did you know our cat just had about six kitties herself? She had them in the old tree - the one the cats' always had their babies in. It's like the birthing tree or something! LOL

Oh and glad I was able to post the tortilla recipe for you. I have a lot of fun making them. We should get together and make some together, the kids and me, hm? :) that would be fun!

Love,
Rachel

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