Draw Write Now!

One of the fun things I get to do as a blogger is review different products.  It is a great opportunity to see and try out what is out there.  If you are a blogger, just ask someone if they would like you to do a review, you never know, they might say yes!

Draw, Write, Now is a set of books (from the publishing company Barker Creek) which allow a child to practice reading, drawing, and writing.  I tried a set that was appropriate for my soon-to-be 4 year old.  He loooooves the books.  Although he is not proficient in drawing (or even close) he is reading the sentences (based on memorization) and then tries to write his own story (I record).  Sometimes his sentences are exactly the same as the ones in the book and sometimes they are completely different.  At this stage, I think the important thing here is to create the love of writing.  I want him to want to write stories.

What is funny is that my son will try to be funny by putting in a word that completely doesn't make sense.  For example, he choose to read, draw, and write about chickens the other day (of course, I didn't get to take pictures) but instead of saying the chicken lives on a farm.  He says the chicken is a baby and then laughs at himself.    I think this is great.  Something I didn't teach him.  I think it was his father LOL.  But it really extends his imagination and he knows what is real and makes sense and what is nonsense.

At this stage, and where we are with the books, I first let him choose the story.

Of course, he chose the horse.  One of the hardest to draw-haha!

Then after reading the pages, drawing our version of the horse {don't laugh too hard}, we wrote a story.

Here is his:

The books come in a nice organized set.  The pictures are highly engaging and the drawing steps are easy to follow.  The set Barker Creek sent me had 8 books in it-WOW!  Each book is a different theme.  Perfect to use all year long.

I would definitely recommend these books to any teacher.  Kids LOVE drawing.  We all know that.  To get some reluctant writers to draw first and then write, in another engaging format is perfect. Even in 3rd grade.

Check them out HERE!  I hope everyone had a great Halloween yesterday!