I received a copy of WriteShop Junior Level D book and was compensated for my time in writing this post. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
When I first started homeschooling my son I was looking forward to this new adventure we were about to embark on together. I couldn’t wait to get started! I was excited about being able to tailor my son’s education based on his interests, talents, and gifting.
At a very young age, I noticed that Tarzan was a kinesthetic learner. During his pre-school and early elementary years, we took a child-led learning approach adding some Charlotte Mason flavor to our learning. We both LOVED and enjoyed learning in that way.
As he got older, I knew that I needed to have a bit more structure with teaching him certain subjects, especially writing. One thing he enjoyed doing was telling stories and he is really good at that. So I wanted to nurture that love of telling stories by helping him get his thoughts down on paper.
I went on a search to find a writing curriculum that would be a good fit for my son’s learning style and I thought I finally found one but alas it wasn’t a good fit. He found the writing lessons to be boring and felt that the curriculum wasn’t teaching him what he wanted to learn about writing.
His love for learning the mechanics of writing started to become more of a frustration for him than a joy.
Whenever it was time to do his writing assignment he would just shut down and give me grief. He started to really dislike writing. So, I had to take a different approach.
I decided to put the writing curriculum away and approach it in a more gentle and fun way that would encourage my reluctant writer to write again.
Four gentle and fun ways to help reluctant writers want to write again.
Hands-on writing activities
My son is a kinesthetic learner so including hands-on activities is a must in my book. He grasps the lessons so much better when he can move around or has his hands occupied. So many times I had to get creative and find ways to teach to my son’s learning style.
Many of the activities I created myself, others I found online and sometimes we included games like Scrabble, Bananagrams, Mad Libs, and Boggle to change it up a bit. Believe me, anytime you can get your kids moving, play an educational game together or provide a hands-on experience they will be eager to participate. There will definitely be no whining!
Freewriting
I heard about freewriting from a friend of mine and I loved the idea behind it. All I needed to do was have my son write for about 5-10 minutes or until the timer would go off. He could write about anything he wanted or I would pick a topic of interest to get him started. He didn’t need to be concern about his spelling, grammar or sentence structure, all he needed to do was write.
At first, this was difficult for my son because of his perfectionism, but the more he did it the easier it became for him. It helped him get his thoughts down on paper which was one of my goals.
Journal writing
When I was a child I enjoyed writing in my journal and I thought my son would probably enjoy it too. I mentioned it to him and he liked the idea. So I got him a journal where he could write his thoughts down. He decorated his journal and made it his own. He would write in his journal twice a week about his day or anything else that would come to mind.
Use writing prompts
I have found writing prompts to be helpful. My son has enjoyed them and it helps with writer’s block. There are so many writing prompts that you can find online for free or you can even create your own writing prompts based on your child’s interests.
After I got my son excited about writing again I knew it was time to search for a new writing curriculum. My son was ready to learn the mechanics of writing once again. I wanted the writing curriculum to incorporate hands-on activities, freewriting, journal writing, and writing prompts in their lessons.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to find a curriculum like that but I was hopeful.
Enters WriteShop Junior- A wonderful writing curriculum for a reluctant writers
As I searched and asked my friends what writing curriculum they use one of them shared about WriteShop. Funny enough, that was one of the writing curriculum I was interested in trying out.
I was ecstatic to be able to try out the WriteShop Junior book D writing curriculum with Tarzan and couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. When it arrived my son couldn’t wait to open the package. We opened it up together and looked through the curriculum.
To my surprise, WriteShop had everything I was looking for (hands-on activities, freewriting, , and writing prompts) and then some!
Let me share 5 reasons why I love this curriculum.
1. I love how they have hands-on writing activities with each lesson. This is important to me especially because Tarzan is a hands-on learner.
2. I like their Fold-N-Go folders- these folders are reference tools that help introduce grammar rules and important writing skills which your child makes. I love how he will have these references for future usage.
Another thing that I like about these folders is that when a grammar rule or important writing skill is introduced to the student they get to put it into practice right away. The lessons are super short but to the point. Tarzan really likes these folders and find them fun to put together.
3. I like how each lesson is broken up into sections which makes it easier to learn the lesson being taught. Each lesson includes 8 activity sets which are:
- A Fold-N-Go Grammar Folder and Journal/Reading Log
- Pre-Writing
- Model and Teach
- Skill Builders
- Journal Writing Practice
- Brainstorming
- The Writing Project
- Editing and Revising
- Publishing the Project
- Evaluating Your Child’s Work
At first, it may seem like a lot for one lesson but it really isn’t. I find that teaching the lessons in sections really helps my son understanding the lessons better.
4. I love that they share tips on how to help your child throughout the lessons. I find them to be very helpful.
5. I love that they have a section where they list all the supplies and printables that you will need for each lesson. That is GOLD for this busy mama! I love to prepare beforehand and have everything ready to go!
Brownie Points: By setting up the lessons in sections it helps my son not get overwhelmed and keeps him interested in wanting to learn more.
6. I love that it’s self-pace and that Tarzan will be acquiring the writing skills that he needs in order to become a successful writer.
What my son (once among the reluctant writers) had to say about WriteShop Junior.
“I liked the way the lessons were taught and I learned a lot.”
“I enjoyed the hands-on activities like the Robot lesson and putting the invitation letters back together.”
“I liked the brainstorming cake printable because it was different and a fun way to brainstorm my invitation
letter.”
I’m so thankful that I found a writing curriculum that’s a great fit for my son. We are looking forward to diving into the next lesson.
Want to learn more about WriteShop?
I encourage you to go on over and check out their website where you will find samples, an overview of the curriculum and much more.
Right now, WriteShop is having an amazing free gift for subscribers.
Journal All Year! Writing Prompt Calendar Bundle
This bundle includes a total of 480 writing and essay prompts to inspire both elementary and teen students for an entire calendar year!
You get two different products with a total value of $7.00:
Journal All Year! Elem. Writing Prompt Calendar (for grades 3-8) $3.50
Journal All Year! Teen Writing Prompt Calendar (for grades 7-12) $3.50
Print the prompts in your choice of three formats: calendars, cards, or strips. Go here to get this free offer. This freebie is a limited time offer.
Don’t forget to follow WriteShop on Facebook, Instagram, and Facebook in order to stay in the loop.
Jessica is a follower of Christ, wife, and mother of three energetic boys. She writes about homeschooling, frugal living, motherhood, intentional living and everything in between. Her heart is to inspire and encourage others to live an intentional life.
4 Comments on How To Help Reluctant Writers By Laying A Gentle & Fun Foundation For Writing
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Jessica, I completely agree with you in terms of keeping things fun. One of the easiest ways I’ve found to encourage writing is to write letters. You can even get kids into Round Robins where one starts a story, the next continues it and so on.
Yes, I also encourage my oldest to write letters. 🙂 I love that idea of the Round Robins! I will definitely be putting that on my list of writing activities to do with him. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your ideas Hil! 🙂
My son has also used WriteShop in an outside-the-home class setting and has really enjoyed it. I also love how you have been able to incorporate freewriting and the hands-on learning!
Thanks Amy! I’m glad to hear that your son has really enjoyed it as well. It really is such a good writing curriculum. 🙂