WriteShop review and a Contest too!
This past winter the kids and I were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be a test family for WriteShop’s Primary Book B. What a fantastic experience that was, we had a great time! I was familiar with their other products and felt that while they looked good it was more of a down the road option for us. You know something to keep in mind when the kids are a bit older. I received an email saying they were looking for test families for their new Primary Books, I thought we would apply and see what happened. A short time later we heard back that we were in the test group. I decided I would give a quick review for those that might be interested.
What I didn’t like; ( let’s take care of the negative first)
Well in all honesty there really wasn’t much I didn’t like. As a test family they wanted us to complete a lesson in a week, which we did. In the book they have a planning schedule where you can work through the lesson in one week or two. As they needed to get their feedback in a timely fashion we did it in the one week but if I was to do the book on my own I would definitely take the two weeks and go a little deeper. This is under what I didn’t like but for those buying the book this would not be a concern as you can go at your own pace, so it isn’t really a legit complaint.
What I did like;
Hmm where to begin. The whole program was great and we had a ton of fun with it. To me if the kids are learning and don’t realize that they are even learning we are on to something. When I would say, “”Okay kids time to start school”” and they would ask if we could start with writing I got excited. Each day we would start with what they called Guided Writing Practice, basically this is a time to model writing techniques with your children. Each lesson has a theme and so the Guided Writing Practice would be of a similar theme. Each week we would read the suggestions and come up with our own as well. Then we would write a short paragraph together. This is only suppose to take about ten minutes and if you are working with only one child that is probably true. However I was working with three children so this would last more like a half an hour- to an hour. I found it hard to say no we need to move on when they were having such a good time.
As you work through the lesson there is a day with a Pre- writing activity that helps to set the stage for what you are working on that week.
Then comes the brainstorming day. I thought the ideas they used to help the kids come up with an idea, pick a setting, a character, look at the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of things, even how to have a problem and solution in their stories was amazing. So many of these ideas I’m not sure if I would have thought to teach them to a young child.
Next, they would begin their Writing Project with no corrections happening at this point because the next day they would have Editing and Revising. I think this was our favorite day in the week. How could correcting ones mistakes be fun? Well just ask the clever people at WriteShop they had the fun idea of having the kids use editing buddies – smart!!!
Here is a picture of our editing buddies Frog and Toad from one of our favorite series Frog and Toad are Friends, and a little Lego Rock Monster guy. (on frogs leg)
Next there was an Activity set Worksheet again an activity that ties into the theme of the week.
Finally, the last day they work on Publishing the Project, I don’t want to go into too much detail here as I want to leave some surprises for those of you who decide to give WriteShop Primary Books a try.
My kids with their Editing Buddies
Really I can’t say enough positive things about this book, as a parent I found the lessons to be clearly laid out. There are lots of examples and sample text for when you are instructing the kids, they have removed all the guesswork for you. I enjoyed this program so much that I thought I would do a giveaway. Primary Book B is not available just yet so I am going to give away a copy of the first book Primary Book A and a set of worksheets to go with it.
So what do you need to do to have a chance at winning this great book, just leave me a comment and I will enter your name. If you would like to enter your name a second time you can make a link from your blog to here and leave another comment telling me. Lastly, you can add my button to your site or become a follower for two more chances to win, again just leave a comment that you added the button to your site. Contest open till Friday April 3rd at midnight EST I will announce the winner on Saturday April 4th. Have fun!!
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11 Comments
homemom1001
I loved the review! Thanks Cheryl! I tried to be a test family too – but was too late! Thanks for the generosity in having a contest, add me please!Charity
Blessed Mommy
Thanks for the review, and the opportunity to win it through your contest! Blessings,Tracisk8inghunny@yahoo.com
Kathy Eller
I am so excited to find your site! (did so via your post on the Above Rubies yahoo group) I looked around quickly wnating to come back and wnated to become a follower. How exciting to find that I am now entered too! Nice to make your acwuaintance AND I will be baack!
Nancy I. Sanders
Ooh, Cheryl, I'm so excited that your family has had such fun and such a great learning experience with WriteShop Primary! I'm the author of the book and was so blessed to read your review–it knocked my socks off! You don't need to put my name in your contest, but I'm going to add a link and a button on my site, plus get the word out about your very generous contest. And your blog is so beautiful, too! Hugs, Nancy I. Sanders
Elizabeth
I love your site! A friend of mine sent me a link to your blog this morning. I would love to be entered for the Write Shop.As I'm typing, ""All That I Can Say"" is washing over me again. I'm headed to itunes next to buy it :)I'm also signing up as a follower. I definitely want to visit again!Thanks,Elizabethcewharton@gmail.com
Stultzmomma
Some of my favorite pictures of my sweeties are when they are sleeping. Oh God is good to us isn't he! It is precious when they are eating and fall asleep. Thanks for offering this contest my little homeschooler(Boy Caleb 6yrs) has such a hard time with reading and writing. I am actually spending friday as a Reading, phonics, and writing only day to try and help him. Angelina Stultz abcstultz@yahoo.com
Stultzmomma
Oh children are such a sweet blessing, I love it when they fall asleep doing things like eating! My favorite pics are sleeping sweeties. Thanks for the contest. I have a 6 yr boy that struggles with reading and writing, Friday we are designating it a reading,phonics,writing day to try and help him. He cries and I just need help with him. Thanks abcstultz@yahoo.com
Christi
Oh, I love reviews of curriculum – thanks so much!!
memoriesmama
Thanks for the review. I am all for anything that my kids would be excited about doing in school! Thanks for the chance to win!Darcy in MI
Janet
I love your site! I visited it once before (from AR)when you posted about the homemade soap. I always thought I learned well from the written word, but those photos just made it so easy to understand. (I have yet to try the soap, though.)I never won a contest before, but there is always a first time!~Jan
Tina
Thank you for the review on the material! I appreciate being able to hear from someone who really used the product. I found your blog through your post in Above Rubies as well. I was wondering how a person has a chance to be a tester for new curriculm like you did. That sounds like a neat opportunity. Thank you for a chance to win in this contest and I look forward to reading more on your blog~it looks great 🙂