The Write Shop Primary Review & Giveaway

Looking for some help teaching your children how to write? In preparation for next year, this one was thing on my mind! I don’t consider myself a great writer. I never even journal. I talk a lot. But I don’t think that counts. So the thought of teaching my children to write was freaking me out a bit. Oooh! Write Shop Primary, thank you so much for relieving my stress!

After 2 years of another curriculum, I was starting to notice that what I was using wasn’t really teaching my children “how” to write. It would give them words to use then say “okay now write a story”. It seemed logical to me, but for little guys it was too open ended. They didn’t even know where to start.

Write Shop is different. It is a teacher directed program that literally shows your children the “how to” of writing through examples, brainstorming, working together, and editing. No longer are they just trying to come up with something creative out of thin air. I know that seems simple, and it is, but its works!

What’s the Cost? (By the way, for what you get, the prices are definitely a bargain!)

• Book A e-book: $24.25
• Book A print book: $26.95
• Book B e-book: $26.95
• Book B print book: $29.95
• Book C e-book: $29.95
• Book C print book: $32.95
• Book A, B, or C Activity Set Worksheet Pack e-book: $4.50
• Book A, B, or C Activity Set Worksheet Pack print book: $4.95

With Write Shop Primary, you go through 8 sets per lesson. Now, I will say that it really pays to read the Teacher’s Manual on this one. Kim explains to you how to teach your children, and the curriculum gives step by step instructions of what to say. Without it, I think it would be somewhat complicated to just jump into, so be prepared for a little bit of prep work, but I think is definitely worth it.

It’s also fun! Most writing programs seem kind of boring to me, but Write Shop Primary includes fun games, visuals, activities, crafts and books that help to enhance the writing experience.

What Level Do I Need?

• Help with choosing a starting level
• Placement Chart
• Click here for sample lessons
• To get help and more fun ideas be sure to visit Writeshop on Facebook! Let Kim know that Erica @ Confessions sent you if you stop by!

There are also different schedules to pick from so you can customize the program to your schedule and your child’s ability level as well. There’s also a list of things to prepare so you’re not scrambling at the last minute along with a list of materials to help create a successful writing center.

For each lesson, there are 8 sets of activities that you will go through. Each one is explained in detail as you go. Each lesson starts with samples of pre-written things so your children can see what you’re looking for. I find this extremely helpful! Not only for them, but for me as well. I was previously unsure of how to grade writing, and how to positively show them how to fix things.

Here’s how each lesson is organized:

• Activity Set 1: Guided Writing Practice only
• Activity Set 2: Pre-writing Activities and Picture Book
• Activity Set 3: Brainstorming
• Activity Set 4: The Writing Project
• Activity Set 5: Editing and Revising
• Activity Set 6: Activity Set Worksheet
• Activity Set 7: Publishing the Project
• Activity Set 8: Want To Do More?

One of my favorite things (and my kids’ favorite) is that we do it together. In the beginning lessons, I’m doing most of the writing and they’re doing the brainstorming. I typically use large chart paper to write their ideas so that I can keep it to show them later when they’re writing.

As you progress through the activities, your child finally has the chance to write the story you’ve been creating on their own paper. But it doesn’t end there like my old curriculum did. The next day they’ll take that story, and revise, edit and finally publish their final draft. Once that’s done, they get to publish their work in a variety of fun ways! They absolutely LOVE to display their work! Though we just started trying it out, I have to say that we are loving this program and I plan to really hit it hard for next year.

Want more information?

• Write Shop (They also offer products for older kids as well!)
• Write Shop Blog (Check this out! Kim posts tons of great ideas here!)
• Determining Placement Level
• Write Shop Primary Scope and Sequence
• Activities and Projects
• Activity Set Worksheet Packs
• Choosing Picture Books
• View Sample Lessons

Want to try Write Shop Primary for yourself? Kim, who by the way is so incredibly friendly, has generously offered to do a giveaway for the Write Shop Primary A,B, or C level of your choice, plus the Student Worksheet Pack!

If you don’t want to wait, Kim has offered a special for my readers! 15% off any WriteShop Primary Teacher’s Guide with coupon code HSCONFESS (does not apply to Activity Set Worksheet Packs, discount good through 5/21/11 only!).

Mandatory Entry for Giveaway:

• Leave a comment on this post letting me know you’d like to win!

Additional Optional Entries: (After completing the below tasks, make sure to come back here and leave a comment letting me know you did so you can get your extra entries!)

• Subscribe to the Write Shop Blog
• Follow Write Shop on Twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy the text below:

@ericahomeschool is giving away a FREE Write Shop Primary! Enter Here: http://tinyurl.com/68b626v

• Blog about this giveaway: Come back and let me know with your blog post
• Subscribe via email to Confessions of a Homeschooler

(As always, you can enter if you already follow or subscribe :o) )

Giveaway Information:

• The give away will be open until midnight EST Friday May 20, 2011. Winner will be announced by Sunday May 22, 2011.
• Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry, winner will be chosen at random!
• Please leave a way for me to contact you in your entry otherwise another winner will be chosen.
• NOTE: Winner may choose print or eBook version. This giveaway is offered Worldwide (winners outside US must choose ebook).
• This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
  

Please Note: In order to enter the contest you must leave a comment on THIS post. To leave a comment scroll to the bottom of the post and click “Post a comment” (Facebook posts will not count, if you are reading this via RSS, you will need to visit my actual blog to post a comment.)

Disclosure: I was provided me with a free copy of Write Shop Primary B to review on my blog. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.