Creative Word Studio

I received this complimentary product through the 

Homeschool Review Crew.

Over the past weeks my daughter has been using Sparkling Bits of Writing Book 2 from Creative Word Studio. There are two books in the Sparkling Bits of Writing Curriculum, Book 1 and Book 2. These consumable soft back books are spiral bound with laminated covers and are written for the Christian School and Homeschool setting in mind. Book 1 is intended for grades 5-7. Book 2 is intended for grades 7-9. In book two students focus on free writing, reading responses, and mini writing lesson exercises. The Introduction is written directly to the student. Next, there is a page of instructions. Both books contain 75 lessons. 

In the Free Writing Exercises students practice writing. They are given set amounts of times that they are expected to write, 8 to 10 minutes, or whatever you as the teacher or parent chooses. Students are to write whatever comes to mind. Many lessons contain a writing prompt, a picture, a poem, or question for the student to respond to. This is a time for the student to get more comfortable in their writing skills. 

Next, Reading Response Lessons are using to help guide students in analyzing other people's writings and critically thinking about situations. This is where good literature comes into play. These lessons help develop critical thinking skills. One way to do that is to write responses to what you read. Students learn to think about their opinions through writing.

Mini Writing Activities are intended to be more FUN writing "out of the box" lessons. Some of these lessons are labeled with a star symbol. These lessons need special attention. Students need to write, edit, and polish until they're perfected. 

The curriculum is intended to be a supplement, rather than a full writing curriculum.

 

The Reading Response Lessons use excerpts from wonderful literature such as; Swiss Family Robinson, Little Women, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and Strawberry Acres. 

Here are a few of the lessons that my daughter completed. 

Each assignment page has the lesson number and the assignment type. The instructions are clearly written and easy to follow. Sample writings are given in some of the lessons.  The back of every page is also lined.

My daughter who actually does not really enjoy writing has actually enjoyed Creative Word Studio! The material is relevant to her LIFE and age. Jennifer has done a great job of reaching kids through the lessons. For example, in one assignment which was a "mini writing exercise" the students were asked to Free write this question: "Why should everyone shop at Walmart?" Another "mini writing exercise" the students were asked to, List ten things that create a normal day for you. 

I appreciate that Jennifer Yoder acknowledges that students sometimes get stuck in their writing and that is okay. In the instructions, she actually tells the students that if they get stuck while writing they should just keep writing the following, “what shall I write next, what shall I write next . . . ” until their creative juices get flowing again. 

Creating a Word Cloud

A laminated Graded Rubric is included at the end of the book to help you 

in grading your students work. 

I was overall quite impressed with the curriculum. Jennifer has done a wonderful job with this curriculum. The writing lessons and prompts are fun, creative and offer variety. Not only is this a great supplemental creative writing curriculum but this would be a great summer creative writing curriculum as well. I would definitely recommend Creative Word Studio to others. Be sure to read what my Fellow Crew Members had to say about Creative Writing Studio Book One or Two.