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This Reading Mama

5 Ways to Get Kids to HATE WRITING

By thisreadingmama 54 Comments

*Obviously this is a tongue-in-cheek title. But my review of {affiliate} WriteShop is for real! We were given a free copy of this amazing writing curriculum {Book C} and have had a fantastic time reviewing it this school year.

Seriously, you guys. If you’re a homeschooler {or work with your child at home in any way} and are looking for a writing curriculum. One word: WriteShop. And today, you’ll see why.

5 Ways to Make Kids Hate Writing - This Reading Mama

 

Ugh…I Have to Teach Writing?!?

Writing is one of those content areas that I frequently hear parents {and teachers} say they don’t enjoy teaching. These complaints sparked 5 Days of Unleashing the Writer in Your Child, Simple Writing Lessons in the Primary Grades and finally Preschool and Kindergarten Writing Lessons.

And it’s no wonder we sometimes don’t like to teach it. Often our kids don’t like it either. But could it be a vicious cycle? Maybe our teaching methods cause our kids to be reluctant writers. Or dare I say it…maybe they cause our kids to resist or even HATE writing. Nope, this isn’t a post intended to make you feel badly about how you teach writing. My goal is to get us all to re-evaluate why we teach writing the way we do. That’s what good teachers do, after all!

 

5 Reasons Kids HATE Writing

1. We cut off their voice as a writer.

Kids need time to explore writing in all kinds of ways in order to discover their own writing voice. But doing this can get kind of messy, so we tend to prefer copywork and writing prompts to keep writing in a nice, little box that we can easily grade or check off our list for the day.

But the real joy in writing {coming from an author here} is finding your own voice. For example, how does your writing stand out from the rest of the world? You will find with WriteShop that there is plenty of wiggle room for kids to explore different genres and explore their own voice through writing drafts, revising, editing, and even publishing their own works!

 

2. We do not provide choice in our instruction.

Providing choice for our writers helps them make it meaningful for them. After all, multiple and meaningful experiences are the key to learning almost anything.

learning about personal narratives with WriteShop

WriteShop curriculum introduces children to several different kinds of genres of writing like personal narratives, descriptive writing, mysteries, and journal writing. But once the genre has been introduced and practiced, away kids can go with their own choice of topic. This is oh, so important!! It also ties right back into #1 above.

 

3. We do not provide enough support.

Too often, we just tell kids what we want them to write instead of showing them HOW to write. In each WriteShop lesson, you will find mini-lessons designed to help you SHOW your child the craft of writing. Sometimes, it’s through a read aloud while other times you are encouraged to write with your child to model a specific skill or genre.

learning about different genres of writing with simple worksheets

I also love the simple worksheets that are sprinkled throughout, which help kids practice how to craft a certain genre with you before you set them free to try it themselves. This middle step {doing it WITH the child} is so often skipped before kids are asked to try things on their own and I love how WriteShop weaves it into every lesson.

 

4. We feel the need to correct every mistake, even spelling errors.

I’m sure our kids look forward to the days when we sit beside them while they are crafting a work and nit-pick every spelling error and/or grammatical error. I honestly think it just sucks the life right out of their work. Is there a place for conventional spelling and grammar. ABSOLUTELY. 100% YES!!

And while WriteShop provides lots of great tips for helping kids spell, like keeping a portable word wall, they also say that kids are going to misspell words. Often times, in draft mode, kids are just trying to get their thoughts down. My son will even ask me to leave the room completely during this time so he can focus on “dumping” his thoughts on the paper.

editing draft before publishing

But once the drafting is done, WriteShop encourages and teaches kids to edit their own work, which I’m a huge fan of. There are even helpful tips for when editing reduces your child to tears. Instead of saying things like, “Oh, you should know how to spell that word!” WriteShop provides helpful strategies that build up your writer while helping him perfect his craft.

 

5. We don’t add some spice now and then.

I love, love, love how WriteShop throws in these fun experiences to get kids writing and publishing in different ways.

publishing a story and making it into a puzzle - great idea from WriteShop

For example, in his personal narrative, my 3rd grader wrote about a recent sleepover at his grandma’s house. He was encouraged to draw a picture, type it up and then create a puzzle with his own story. Talk about original!

 

What We Have Truly Enjoyed about WriteShop This Year

1. The flexibility. I loved that I could plan my own schedule {we have fluctuated between the three-week lesson plan and the two-week lesson plan.} If you are teaching students on different levels, there are special notes sprinkled throughout to help you adjust your teaching accordingly such as steps you may need to add or even not include at all.

2. The freedom of choice {for parents and students.} WriteShop does not have heavily scripted lessons, which I greatly appreciate. Teaching writing isn’t a pre-boxed thing and WriteShop doesn’t pretend that it is. Book suggestions are there for modeling certain skills, but teachers are also encouraged to pick books of interest to the child.

3. The foundation for teaching and learning the craft of writing. WriteShop provides such a great foundation for teaching writing as a craft with all kinds of genres. Not only will you find this throughout their curriculum, but their blog as well!

 

 

 

 

~Becky

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Comments

  1. Kim Kautzer says

    March 9, 2015 at 12:29 am

    Becky, I’m nearly speechless! Thank you for this wonderful review. I’m especially grateful for the way you captured the very essence of WriteShop. I pray that your review encourages moms and teachers to approach writing in a fresh new way–no matter what method or curriculum they use.

    Reply
    • thisreadingmama says

      March 9, 2015 at 12:35 am

      Aw, I’m so glad you like it. We truly have enjoyed WriteShop. It aligns with the core of how I’ve always felt writing should be taught. My son has written more with these lessons than he has in some time. 🙂 Thank you!

      Reply
  2. SJ says

    March 9, 2015 at 7:56 am

    I am excited about this program an would love to try it with my independent child.

    Reply
  3. Janice says

    March 9, 2015 at 8:46 am

    Thanks so much for the helpful review and giveaway! We would choose level Junior D or Primary C.

    Reply
  4. Alisha says

    March 9, 2015 at 9:05 am

    This is a great program! Thank you for introducing it to me:) I would love the K-3 level to help my littles who are just coming up to that age group.

    Reply
  5. Janelle says

    March 9, 2015 at 10:32 am

    What an exciting curriculum! My son and struggle through writing. The Primary (K-3) would be a tremendous help!

    Reply
  6. Chelsie says

    March 9, 2015 at 10:33 am

    My oldest is going into kindergarden (well slowly getting into it this summer) and I think he would do well with primary level A.

    Reply
  7. Rebecca Reid says

    March 9, 2015 at 10:47 am

    I love the look of this. I would love to try level c worth my creative writing kid next year. (He says he’s going to be an author when he grows up).

    Reply
  8. ccrist7 says

    March 9, 2015 at 11:01 am

    This looks like a great tool too use with my students! I teach K, so K-3 would be great for me!

    Reply
  9. angie says

    March 9, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    I struggled with Write Shop because I started it with 3 kids, 3 levels based on their grade recommendations. If I won I would start with the primary B with my oldest struggling writer and just modify to make it more challenging. Then when his writing time is routine, I would start Primary A with my youngers! I borrowed it and so don’t own it!

    Reply
  10. Kristie Atkins says

    March 9, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    This seems like such a logical way to teach writing. I agree with you that many teachers (and parents) are afraid to teach writing and I can’t count the number of students I have had that hated writing. I would love to give the K-3 level a try with my kiddos.

    Reply
  11. Tricia Sheeran says

    March 9, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Oh I definitely need this for my kindergartener! K-3 level would be perfect…..he HATES writing and I need help!

    Reply
  12. Amber Hicsk says

    March 9, 2015 at 6:46 pm

    Thank you! I am new to homeschooling and I definitely do not know what I plan to use for writing yet. I will check this out.

    Reply
  13. Deana says

    March 9, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    We are working through WriteShop Primary right now. i would love to win Primary set C of Junior Set D

    Reply
  14. Tonya says

    March 9, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    Hello, I work with Special Education and would love to win the Junior High/High School set – this looks like a great resource!

    Reply
  15. D.Summers says

    March 10, 2015 at 12:21 am

    I really need this! I teach fifth grade and writing frightens me!

    Reply
  16. Sarah O says

    March 10, 2015 at 9:23 am

    I would love WriteShop Primary for my daughter.

    Reply
  17. The Efta Family says

    March 10, 2015 at 10:23 am

    Thank you! I have not heard of this program before. We will be sure to check it out.

    Reply
  18. Erica Pennington says

    March 10, 2015 at 11:11 am

    This would be great fill in for the summer time with my 1st grader

    Reply
  19. jacksond2611 says

    March 10, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    I think WriteShop Primary B would be the best option for my kids. My word lover and reluctant writer could both benefit from this program!

    Reply
  20. Anita Alexander says

    March 10, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    I would love to try this approach. Students are so reluctant to write. I would need the Junior level. Thanks!

    Reply
  21. Sara Wright says

    March 11, 2015 at 10:39 am

    I wad just looking for a curriculum to teach my daughter more about writing!

    Reply
  22. N. Martin says

    March 12, 2015 at 12:01 am

    Hi Becky!

    Thanks for the pointers and reminders about the challenges of helping students write. As a classroom teacher, I find that this is always my biggest challenge! If I could add a sixth….we don’t give enough time to write. I know time always seems to fly away before we get anywhere close to finishing! Perhaps The WriteShop resource can help with that. I teach third grade and would love to have the corresponding program for it.

    Thanks for hosting this great giveaway!
    -Naomi M

    Reply
    • thisreadingmama says

      March 12, 2015 at 5:50 am

      Naomi, YES. And a million times YES! Time is a HUGE one. Thanks for adding that!

      Reply
  23. anna says

    March 13, 2015 at 8:33 am

    This is a wonderful review. I can’t wait to look into this more!

    Reply
  24. Jaclyn Reynolds says

    March 13, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Would love the 2nd Grade Level for my son!

    Reply
  25. Nicole Robinson says

    March 13, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    I would love Primary A. WriteShop is something I keep coming back to when I go internet window shopping.

    Reply
  26. laura says

    March 13, 2015 at 6:33 pm

    K level would be great!

    Reply
  27. Michelle Drake says

    March 14, 2015 at 2:31 am

    Since the best to start is often the beginning..which is where our homeschooling journey is. We would want WriteShop Primary, Level A

    Reply
  28. corey says

    March 14, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    This is an amazing review! I am always lost for writing resources and of course with our dyslexic kiddos, writing is always a huge struggle but we focus so much on decoding that we often leave writing to copy work like you stated 🙁 no wonder our kiddos so often are not prepared for higher level writing which I would argue is as important as reading and math! I would love to be able to utilize this resource in a new free program we are designing to work with a handful of struggling students from our inner-city schools. 🙂 thanks as always for the great ideas

    Reply
  29. mcoppoc says

    March 15, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    I have never really, really taught writing in my Title groups but sure would love to have something at my fingertips to know just how to approach it in a better way! I have K-2 kiddos in my groups so a level in that grade/age span would be terrific.

    Reply
  30. Amy Marshall says

    March 15, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    Write shop I for my high schooler

    Reply
  31. Tina says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:06 pm

    I would love love to have the junior, 3-6 grade set.

    Reply
  32. Kristen says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:15 pm

    My kindergartener often has a notebook with her to draw and take notes in. I’m so glad you wrote this review, it’s very timely for me. I would order the kindergarten/1st grade level.

    Reply
  33. Jennifer says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:24 pm

    I would love to win Primary B. We are currently using Primary A and love it!

    Reply
  34. Bryant cubs says

    March 15, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    I will have a second grader and fourth grader next year, so I’d love to win the K-3 level! Can’t wait to learn more about this program!

    Reply
  35. Teagon says

    March 16, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    My daughter hates writing right now…thank you for the tips! We would use the primary level and hopefully that would get her interested!

    Reply
  36. Jessica says

    March 17, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    Thanks for this giveaway. I would love to win WriteShop Primary Level A!

    Reply
  37. Cara says

    March 17, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    I would love the WriteShop Junior for grades 3-6. Thanks!

    Reply
  38. Sally Matheny says

    March 18, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    I think my 10-year-old reluctant writer may need WriteShop Level C. He reads on a 3rd-4th grade level but his writing skills are closer to 2nd-3rd. I’d love to try WriteShop!

    Reply
  39. Jen says

    March 18, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    I was already looking at the WriteShop Primary B set. My son loathes writing so I think anything would help!

    Reply
  40. Mia says

    March 18, 2015 at 8:37 pm

    I wanted to try this writing series out for my daughter… I’d need something around the first/second grade level. I’ve heard great things about this series!!

    Reply
  41. Jeanine says

    March 18, 2015 at 9:24 pm

    This package sounds amazing! I will head over for more i lnfo and thank you greatly for always sharing the best of your own work, & the best of your helpful finds!! ;D

    Reply
  42. Rachel says

    March 18, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    We have been looking at this program for our daughter for next school year, thanks for the review!

    Reply
  43. Amanda says

    March 19, 2015 at 2:22 am

    I am a student teacher and I’m very interested in WriteShop! The primary set for grades K-3 would be fabulous for me.

    Reply
  44. Erika says

    March 19, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    I have been looking at this program for some time and it looks like it would be perfect for our family. I would use Primary Book C.

    Reply
  45. Jenny says

    March 20, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    This looks fun, thanks for the info!

    Reply
  46. Brenda says

    March 22, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    This looks awesome and I would love to use this for my kinder and 1st grader!

    Reply
  47. Angela Loyd says

    March 22, 2015 at 6:23 pm

    I struggle with teaching writing and I, personally, love to write. This sounds like it might be the answer to my problem! I would love to have the Kindergarten level of this program.

    Reply
  48. Carrie says

    March 22, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    I’d love Primary, I love to write and I think this would help my kiddos love it too :o)

    Reply
  49. Lily says

    March 22, 2015 at 10:12 pm

    My 5th grader would love a more independent and kid friendly curriculum. This looks great!

    Reply
    • Kim Kautzer says

      March 23, 2015 at 11:14 am

      While WriteShop Junior is most definitely kid-friendly, and children love the hands-on activities and creative writing topics, it’s not an independent program they can do on their own, There’s a lot of parent involvement. On the other hand, you’d only be working three days per week, so it’s not overwhelming to either of you. Just thought I’d throw that out there!

      Reply
  50. diana says

    March 22, 2015 at 11:07 pm

    I would love love LOVE WriteShop level E. I have a couple of sons that think they can’t write and it brings them to tears!

    Reply
  51. Adela says

    March 24, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Thank you for your review and the opportunity to have WriteShop in our homeschool curriculum! It is a child and parent friendly writing program, I would use the Primary Book Set.

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Becky, a homeschooling mama with 4 blessings who keep me on my toes {and knees}. Before homeschooling, I was a classroom teacher (M.Ed.) and reading tutor. Read more about me here.

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