WriteShop: An Incremental Writing Program, 5th edition

by Demme Learninghttps://demmelearning.com/

ElaGrades 6–11

WriteShop: Structured Writing Program with Step-by-Step Instruction

WriteShop: An Incremental Writing Program is a systematic writing curriculum for grades 6-11 that builds skills incrementally through structured lessons. The program focuses on descriptive, informative, and narrative writing with detailed teacher guidance and student workbooks.

Best for

Homeschool parents and teachers seeking structured writing instruction for grades 6-11 students who need systematic skill-building in composition

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 2 concerns · 3 neutral

Teacher TrainingStrength

Provides comprehensive teacher support with detailed guidance for instruction and evaluation.

Teacher's manual includes detailed lesson plans, instructions for editing and commenting, student writing samples, typical error descriptions, and classroom handbook available for group settings

Direct InstructionStrength

The program emphasizes direct, explicit instruction with teacher modeling and guided practice.

Teacher manual provides detailed daily lesson plans, teacher-student brainstorming sessions, collaborative paragraph writing, and structured feedback processes

Vocabulary BuildingStrength

The curriculum includes explicit vocabulary instruction through thesaurus work and exposure to literary passages.

Skill Builder exercises teach students to use a thesaurus to replace overused words, and copying/dictation exercises expose students to new vocabulary

Writing InstructionStrength

The curriculum provides highly structured, systematic writing instruction with clear progression and scaffolding.

Features detailed lesson plans, step-by-step instruction, modeling through teacher-student collaboration, multiple drafts, and structured feedback through three different checklists

Knowledge RichConcern

The curriculum is not primarily knowledge-rich, focusing instead on writing skills and techniques.

Lessons cover writing structure and style rather than building systematic domain knowledge across subjects, though it suggests connecting writing to other subject areas

Retrieval PracticeConcern

Limited evidence of retrieval practice or spaced review of previously learned skills.

While WriteShop II includes a brief review, there's no clear system for ongoing retrieval practice of writing skills from previous lessons

Text ComplexityNeutral

Uses excerpts from well-known literary works but text complexity is not a primary focus.

Copying and dictation exercises use literary excerpts, but the program focuses on writing output rather than reading challenging texts

Systematic PhonicsNeutral

This writing-focused curriculum does not include phonics instruction.

Designed for grades 6-11, well beyond the phonics instruction years, and focuses exclusively on writing skills

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsNeutral

The curriculum includes copywork and dictation exercises from literary works but does not center on reading whole books.

Uses excerpts from well-known literary works for copying and dictation exercises, but the focus is on writing instruction rather than sustained reading

Review Sources

cathyduffy

Cathy Duffy

Key Facts
GradesGrades 6–11
SubjectEla
PedagogyTraditional
Faith-BasedNo
Pricing$65.70 at Amazon.com | $43.63 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $65.70 at Christianbook.com | $62.00 at Amazon.com | $63.01 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $62.00 at Christianbook.com | $62.00 at Rainbowresource.com | $62.00 at Amazon.com | $61.54 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $62.00 at Christianbook.com | $62.00 at Rainbowresource.com

Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.