Write Shop StoryBuilders

Getting creative juices flowing where writing is concerned isn't always easy. Trying to get a learning child going and you can be looking at a struggle. We were given the opportunity to try out two different storybuilders from Write Shop, World of Sport and World of Animals.

At first I wasn't sure about the concept. They are e-books and so printing is required but after the initial figuring it out period, I am impressed. These are meant to be used as a warming up activity before a writing exercise. They originally had a program geared towards teens and parents but have recently introduced a program geared towards grades 1-3. This was perfect for us. There is nothing more important that learning how to write well. Most college courses require well written papers and I have been wanting to focus more on writing this year. This is a great icebreaker activity. It is also an activity that the student can do on their own while I am working with another one.

The storybuilder sets are available immediately by download. They are card decks meant to printed out and then used as a launching pad for writing projects. The process is meant to be fun and at $7.95 per set they are very affordable. With each deck comes instructions and ideas for how to use the cards. The card decks are split into four categories: characters, traits, setting and plot. You can combine sets if you wish or leave them seperate and give to more than one child at a time. There are so many ideas in each set, with almost 200 cards in each one, you will not be wanting for more choices.

I am loving this for my kids, particularly for my 6 year old. She is a beginning reader and emerging writer. She can choose a card from each category and write a story about what is on the cards. For instance her character would be a butterfly, the trait kindhearted, the setting behind a waterfall and the plot is learns to fly. This sets up the bones of a story that the child can now fill in with details. It is a great way to gently introduce your child to creative writing. I have a couple of older students that this works great for. Imaginative thinking is more of a challenge for them and little nudge goes a long way in getting them started.

Take a look at Write Shop to look at the sets available. I like this product very much and give it an A+ for content and value.