The Best Middle and High School Writing Curriculum for Homeschool Success
Middle and High school writing can be tough, and many homeschool parents don’t know where to begin. So let’s talk about WriteShop; the best writing curriculum for homeschool success is even better with their new video lessons.
As I’ve said many times before, math and writing can have many homeschool moms – and children – in tears faster than any other subject.
We stress over it, research it, question it, and then repeat the same steps over and over again. Why do we do this to ourselves?
One of the main reasons may be that we aren’t confident in our own writing skills, so we’re constantly questioning whether we know enough to help our children.
Also, how do we take our child’s work and help them improve? Writing styles can be so personal that we question whether one way is “right” or “better.”
It’s taken me 14+ years of homeschooling to get to this point, but I’ll tell you a secret, we have to make a choice and follow through. So stop the chatter in our head, make a decision, and (as my husband would say) work the problem.
Luckily, there is a writing curriculum for homeschool that will enable us be consistent, while working at our child’s pace.
This is a sponsored post. I received the product to review and was compensated for my time. However, all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.
What Is WriteShop?
WriteShop is an incremental writing program with a 20-year track record. I’ve used WriteShop in my homeschool previously, and when offered to review their newest video course, I was interested to see how this would fit into their existing program.
One of the main benefits of WriteShop is that it is not only a curriculum for your child but also helps you become a better teacher and writing partner as well. This is where I think most of us are struggling. However, WriteShop pulls all those necessary skills together in one package so that as a parent we know what we should include in a lesson.
WriteShop teaches the types of writing, grammar, and usage and the writing process of brainstorming, writing, editing, and revising. All skills our children need to become better writers.
As a parent, when you read that list and think of all the moving parts, it can become overwhelming. Luckily, WriteShop has created the perfect solution to reduce the overwhelm for the homeschool parent while also giving the child more independence in their work.
How Did it Get Better?
For 20 years WriteShop has been an excellent homeschool writing program, how did it get so much better?
Video!
There are times when I’ve opened my WriteShop materials and been a bit overwhelmed. There are so many great ideas and tips I want to do them all. But this year, I will have three teens and one 11-year-old who could all benefit from WriteShop.
They are also at completely different levels and have all reached the point that they don’t want to do lessons together. Sigh.
The idea that I can homeschool my younger five and fit everything into the day is a fairytale that faded a long time ago. I need help!
So the newest addition of video to the WriteShop program came at the perfect time. I’m no longer the primary instructor, but the coach, editor, and encourager they need.
Why is WriteShop the Best Writing Curriculum for Homeschool Success
Adaptive and Self-Paced
One of the best features of WriteShop I & II is that it is self-paced and adaptive. What other homeschool curriculum, for any subject, is adaptable from 6th through 12th grade?
Since I have four children exactly in that grade range, this is perfect. We can adjust and use the course as needed for each child. My youngest sixth grader can complete WriteShop I on the two-year schedule, and my older dyslexic child can start at a faster pace, but we can always adjust.
There are three primary scheduling options:
- One level per semester would have children complete levels I and II in one year. This is for older students who need to complete WriteShop quickly.
- One level per year, which would complete levels I & II in two years. This is the most common schedule that works great for a high school level student.
- Level I over two years is the gentlest introduction for your youngest kids. After this, they should be able to complete lever II in one year.
Yes, there are a lot of options, but this is an option I appreciate because my children have such wide ages and skill levels.
Instructions Not Formulas
One of the best features is that WriteShop is more about coaching than formulas. Yes, your child will learn to use the thesaurus and add color to their writing, but it doesn’t become a box to be checked.
Everyone has their own unique writing voice that should be encouraged and cultivated. If everyone wrote the same, we would all quickly become bored. So I appreciate working with a child’s natural writing voice and improving it to express their ideas better. And WriteShop does as well.
Videos
I love the videos! Instead of reading through the teacher’s manual and trying to convey to my children the information, I can now let them watch the video and be the backup source of information.
Not to mention, the older my kids get, the more they seem to respond to a video or class, rather than the all-knowing mom. Also, the video is a bit of a backup for the parent as well. Finally, the video is proof that I’m not just making work up, and there is a reason to do things a certain way.
The updated videos for level one are more concise, provide additional self-editing tips, and have improved course navigation. The best thing is that they are designed to seamlessly implement with the new 5th edition, but are also compatible with the 4th edition. So no need to upgrade everything.
Here’s an preview of the video course option:
The Writing Curriculum for Homeschool Success
The addition of video to WriteShop Levels I & II makes it more than just another curriculum package; it transforms WriteShop into an online homeschool writing course that is adaptable to your family and needs.
It also increases your child’s independence since they can watch the video, follow along, and do the work. Your time is then used encouraging and smoothing out any places where they are a bit stuck.
The best thing about WriteShop’s addition of the video option is that it helps build the consistency needed in our homeschool. Instead of my children looking to me to tell them everything that needs to be done, they can be proactive, watch the video, and start their writing project.
All of this will give me back a precious resource in my life and homeschool. . . . time.
