Frequently Asked Questions about WriteShop
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Every time I mention to another homeschool mom that we use WriteShop as our writing curriculum, the response is almost always the same. They have a lot of frequently asked questions about WriteShop.
The WriteShop homeschool writing curriculum began 20 years ago, but some families are just now hearing about it.
I figured that if so many of the moms I meet in my day-to-day life have questions about WriteShop, there are probably plenty of families online in the same spot.
I compiled a list of my most frequently asked questions about WriteShop. Here is just about everything you need to know about WriteShop.
Frequently Asked Questions about WriteShop
Do I have to start on the first level?
No.
You can start your child at whatever level they are currently working – maturity, reasoning skills, and even the ability to express themselves through speech, all play a part in choosing the correct WriteShop level.
There is no need to start at Level A unless that is your child’s level.
How do I know what level to start?
In general, the grade levels are –
- Level A – Kindergarten
- Level B – 1st Grade
- Level C – 2nd Grade
- Level D – 3rd Grade
- Level E – 4th Grade
- Level F – 5th Grade
- Level I and II – Teens
However, you can place the students where you think is best. Check out the WriteShop placement quiz to help you decide which level is likely the best fit for your student.
What components do I need each year?
One of the common questions about WriteShop is whether you need all of the components available.
Levels A – C (Primary) require just a few components:
- Teacher’s Guide
- Activity Pack
Levels D – F (Junior) are slightly different. You will definitely need:
- Teacher’s Guide
- Activity Pack
- Fold-N-Go Grammar Pack (usually included in the Activity Pack)
Optional, but highly recommended, is the Time-Saver Pack. I buy this every year, and it really does save a lot of time. I don’t need to look at the teacher’s guide ahead of time and make copies. It makes prep time almost nonexistent.
Levels I and II require only:
- Teacher’s Guide
- Student Book
Should I buy the digital copy or print edition?
This is totally a preference issue.
I like to buy print editions because I just end up printing every page of a digital copy.
The WriteShop copyright does give families permission to make as many photocopies or printings as needed for one family. If you plan to use the same level for multiple children (either the same year or saving for future years), the digital copy might make more sense.
The digital copy is also a great idea if you want to get started with WriteShop immediately. You will have immediate access and not have to wait for shipping. I know I can’t be the only homeschool mom who has ever searched homeschool curriculum late and night and wanted to use it the next day.
Do I need the Teacher’s Guide?
Absolutely. The WriteShop Teacher’s Guide provides the backbone of the entire curriculum. It is definitely a necessary component. It would be very hard, if not impossible, to use WriteShop well without the Teacher’s Guides.
The Teacher’s Guide lays out all of the lessons so nothing is missed.
Does WriteShop teach grammar?
This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions about WriteShop.
The WriteShop curriculum does include some grammar instruction, but it is pretty sparse. It is more of a supplement showing how good writing and good grammar go together.
In my opinion, you will need a separate grammar curriculum. We have used a few different grammar curricula over our years of homeschooling.
Related: 7 Homeschool Grammar Curriculum Options Under $50
I don’t feel confident about teaching high school writing. Is there an online course my child can use?
Update: The online WriteShop I /II course no longer seems to be available.
Yes. WriteShop offers an online video course for WriteShop I and WriteShop II.
The online video follows the same WriteShop I and II student textbooks. It is a great option for parents who need to take something off their to-do list or who don’t feel confident teaching teen writing courses.
Do you really like WriteShop?
I do.
I am picky about what curriculum I use for my kids. I was a teacher before becoming a homeschool mom, and I have high standards. It is not unusual for me to try a new curriculum or design my own because I can’t find the perfect fit, but I have used WriteShop for years because I love it.
Related: 6 Reasons Why WriteShop is My Favorite Homeschool Writing Curriculum
What sort of ‘extras’ do you recommend?
Every student should have access to a dictionary and a thesaurus, but they can be found online for free.
How do I organize all of the materials?
I organize each level of WriteShop materials in an accordion folder. This makes it easy to just grab and start teaching without much prep work. Check out the complete details on how I organize all of our WriteShop materials.
Will WriteShop help struggling writers?
It depends on what is causing the struggle, but in my experience, it has helped.
My daughter really struggled with writing after a negative experience in public school. Her writing confidence had disappeared. WriteShop is effective, works progressively, and is gentle. It gave her back her writing confidence.
Now she writes for fun in her spare time!
Related: 10 Ways to Help a Struggling Writer
Does WriteShop offer any free homeschool resources?
WriteShop offers SO MANY homeschool resources for free. They are incredibly generous! You can see all of the free WriteShop resources on this page.
Can I give my child high school credit for WriteShop I and/or WriteShop 2?
This is one of the most frequent questions about WriteShop that I see in high school groups.
Yes. WriteShop can absolutely be used to fulfil the writing component of a high school language arts credit. Typically a high school language arts, or English, credit contains writing, reading, and grammar.
WriteShop offers a bit of guidance about counting WriteShop for high school credit.
Is WriteShop religious?
The answer to this question about WriteShop is that it depends on which edition you are using.
Earlier editions referenced God, but edition 5 has removed all religious references.
I prefer to use a secular homeschool curriculum even though I am personally religious. When we used early editions, I just omitted the religious wording.
Keep reading . . .
10 Ways to Help Struggling Writers
WriteShop Review: Favorite Homeschool Writing Curriculum