Making Creative Writing Fun for Reluctant Writers: Writeshop Junior Review

This is a conversation on behalf of WriteShop. Opinions are 100% my own.

Do you have any reluctant writers in your family? We do. Tigger is an avid reader, but a hesitant writer. I understand. I’m exactly the same way. 🙂

So I was thrilled when we got a chance to try the homeschool writing program: Writeshop Junior! It’s a comprehensive creative writing program for upper elementary kids!

Check out our Writeshop Junior review to see how the program helped us make creative writing fun!

One of my favorite things about the WriteShop curriculum is that literally everything is explained for you. What to print, how to assemble it, and how to teach each section. It’s super simple to use.

The curriculum has a unique way to introduce the basic concept of writing a letter. Kids can color code each section of the letter to help them remember the basics: body, date, salutation, closing, and signature.

Then we made a fun parts of a letter robot, which Tigger assembled (in order) and then colored. After that, she understood where everything goes on a letter without having to write an endless amount of letters herself. 🙂

WriteShop also includes plenty of reading work to help kids concentrate on reading good literature. I always feel that grammar is learned by lots and lots of reading. Since Tigger loves books, she found the reading logs and took off running! (The book she read for this assignment was “Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One” by Judy Blume.)

I’ll tell you – there’s no better sound than hearing your child ask, “Can I go and read so I can complete my reading log, Mama?” That’s the sound of a bookworm developing!

Another part of WriteShop that both Tigger and I loved was the Grammar Folders. All of the templates (and assembly instructions) are provided for you. And they are a great way for kids to get involved in their own lessons and take responsibility for studying.

Whenever Tigger was confused about when to use which quotation mark, she could just consult the folder herself for a quick reminder. The folder templates even come with detachable bookmarks!

After a few weeks of introductory work, it was time to actually begin creative writing! Since the program opens with such a gentle introduction to the concept, though, Tigger was ready and not overwhelmed at all!

As we got further along into the program, the assignments became longer, which I thought was a great thing. During Unit 3, Tigger got to use several words from a noun bank to write a story based in the Amazon jungle. Here’s her story:

Maria and Julio live in Brazil. They decided to explore the Brazilian rainforest. They packed up and headed for the Amazon jungle first. They got a chance to swing on lots of vines. They packed hammocks for the nights they traveled. As they set them up, Maria pointed out a bat family flying across the night sky.

The next morning they headed for the Brazilian rainforest. Julio found a diamond. He put it in his backpack. Maria and Julio also discovered maggots on the ground. They rode a boat down a waterfall. They even picked up a tarantula! They also climbed up a tree and found a sloth!

Before they went to sleep that night, they sat up in their hammocks looking at the pictures they’d taken. They both agreed it was the best time they’d ever had!

The end.

Personally, I think it’s worthy of a Pulitzer. 🙂

We really enjoyed using WriteShop. The curriculum is a great way to motivate kids who are reluctant writers to jump in with both feet!

Are you on Instagram? Show off your creativity with a photo writing prompt. Use nature, toys, kids, whatever. Or, make a collage like a comic book. Follow WriteShop on Instagram and then share your image with the hashtag #writeshopwriting. Be sure to tag @WriteShop in your photo. Their team will be choosing from your photo writing prompts to share in their social media!

And now, it’s time to host the awesome giveaway!

Giveaway product provided by WriteShop. Winner will be selected and notified by email on April 4, 2015. Winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. If the winner is a US resident, a physical product will be provided. If the winner lives internationally, only a digital product will be provided. Void where prohibited.
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Interested in learning more about how WriteShop can be used in your homeschool? Check out these awesome reviews!