Mar. 11, 2009 - Product Review -- Write Shop Story Builders -- Animals and Sports
Write Shop
Story Builders -- World of Animals and World of Sports
What are Story Builders? Story Builders ebooks are each an engaging set of games designed to encourage your reluctant writer. Each book includes four sets of cards in the categories of Character, Character Trait, Plot, and Setting. Students use various game scenarios to draw one card in each category. From these cards, the students can create crazy (or not so crazy) stories. Each ebook is approximately 65 pages in length, and includes instructions, game ideas, and the necessary cards to print in either color or black and white. The price for each e-book is $7.95. Here is an example of a story written with Story Builders World of Animals.
Once upon a time, a small bear lived with his mother and father in a cave at the edge of Farmer Joe's vegetable garden. Each day, the mother and father would wake up early and go help Farmer Joe plant vegetables and work in the garden. Small Bear and his friend Mighty Turtle would go along and play near the edge of a brook that ran through the middle of the garden. Mighty Turtle was a good friend. Small Bear liked to be in charge of every game they played, and sometimes Mighty Turtle got a little frustrated. He thought Small Bear was too bossy. One day as Small Bear and Mighty Turtle played near the brook, dark clouds began to gather on the horizon. No one noticed. The Mighty Turtle was happily obeying each of Small Bears instructions. "Let's jump across the brook on the rocks." "Let's make mudpies." Let's climb this tree." "Let's collect leaves and rocks and pretend to make a campfire." "Let's go wading in the water." The boys took off their shoes, but as they waded into the water's edge; a sudden storm erupted all around them. Gallons of water poured into the brook, splashing on the rocks and creating great waves as lightning struck a tree nearby. Farmer Joe and Small Bear's parents came running to where the boys played in the water. "Get out! Get out!" they cried. But now was revealed a problem. The boys could not walk in the turbulent water and kept falling over into the rising brook. Farmer Joe, who was Mighty Turtle's father, had to wade in after them and help them to safety. Finally, the boys reached the dry ground and the families rushed to the safety of the garden shed to wait the storm out. The End.
What I like: Story Builders are fun and engaging. They will keep your students laughing and writing at the same time. The price is very reasonable, and because the cards can be used in any combination the story ideas are endless.
What I don't like: I'm not a big fan of products I have to print myself and cut; however I can make this work just because my son has so much fun.
My Bottom Line: Story Builders are a great idea for your struggling writer or for any child who needs to put a little laugh in his homeschool.
The bottom line is; We try not to insist on parent-led learning or gravitate toward child-led learning. We try instead to focus on God-led learning and ask for His input and perspective on every aspect of our home school. That way, when others fuss about what Dan and I are doing and make me second guess our decisions -- I can go back to our decision process and find God's fingerprints, reminding me that this is His way.
