WriteShop
A parent-led homeschool writing curriculum from Demme Learning that runs from kindergarten through early high school. Young kids learn through games, crafts and picture books; older students write and self-edit across genres with checklists.
What is WriteShop?
WriteShop is a homeschool writing curriculum published by Demme Learning. It "grows with you" through three series: Primary for ages 5–8, Junior for ages 8–13 and WriteShop I and II for ages 12–17. The core idea is that writing is a process, from brainstorming and drafting to editing and a final copy. That process is taught in small, guided steps, with lots of talk between parent and child.
How it works
Each Primary and Junior book has 10 lessons. Every lesson moves through activity sets, from pre-writing games to a finished piece. You choose a schedule of one, two or three weeks per lesson. Most families pick three weeks, so a book lasts about a school year.
A Primary week might include:
- reading a picture book together,
- playing a word or story game,
- making a simple craft that sparks ideas,
- the child dictating or writing a short piece.
Junior adds writing genres, skill builders and self-editing checklists, so kids learn to catch their own mistakes. WriteShop I and II are workbook-based. Teens learn descriptive, narrative and informative writing, then creative, expository and persuasive assignments, with copying and dictation exercises.
The parent teaches every lesson, especially in Primary. Optional Time-Saver Packs supply ready-made game pieces to cut prep.
What it covers
| Series | Books | Ages | Key skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | A, B, C | 5–8 | Oral storytelling, sentences, first paragraphs |
| Junior | D, E, F | 8–13 | Genres, paragraphs, self-editing, multi-paragraph pieces |
| WriteShop I and II | I, II | 12–17 | Description, narration, exposition, persuasion, essays |
Not sure where to start? The free WriteShop placement quiz takes about a minute.
Who it's best for
WriteShop suits families who enjoy hands-on learning and have time to teach together. It is a strong fit for young kids who are not yet writing much, because they can dictate. Look elsewhere if you need a program your child can do alone. Essentials in Writing is video-taught. And if crafts feel like a chore, Writing With Ease is a plainer, open-and-go option.
Pricing at a glance
Primary sets start at $45.72 in print, Junior sets are about $124 in print, and the WriteShop I and II Set is $170.74, all on the Demme Learning store as of October 2026. Ebook versions cost less.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Writing curriculum is a common allowable expense in education savings account programs, though rules vary. See scholarships and ESAs by state, including Arizona's ESA and Florida scholarships. Save WriteShop to your Edulist wishlist, and you can apply once to the programs that fit your family.
How it compares
- IEW uses video lessons and key-word outlines and starts around grade 3.
- Brave Writer shares WriteShop's warm, relational style but is looser and more literature-driven.
- Night Zookeeper is an online, game-based writing app kids can use on their own.
- Shurley English leans on grammar, with writing built in.
Explore more writing curriculum, elementary writing programs and kindergarten writing.
Who WriteShop is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Young kids who learn best through games, crafts and talking
- Parents who want a detailed plan and flexible pacing
- Families teaching siblings or a small group together
- Teens who need step-by-step help with self-editing (WriteShop I and II)
Look elsewhere if
- Parents who need an independent or video-taught program
- Kids who dislike crafts and hands-on activities
- Families who want a full grammar course included
WriteShop pros and cons
Pros
- Covers ages 5–17 with one consistent approach
- Lessons scale with Smaller Steps and Flying Higher options
- Self-editing checklists build independence in older kids
- Each Primary and Junior book stretches to about 30 weeks at three weeks per lesson
- Ebook sets cost less than print
Cons
- Parent-intensive, with prep for games and crafts
- Skipping crafts can mean missing content
- Grammar coverage is light, so many families add a grammar program
- Helpful extras like the Time-Saver Pack cost more
What’s included
- WriteShop Primary Books A–C for ages 5–8, with games, crafts and picture books
- WriteShop Junior Books D–F for ages 8–13, with genre lessons and self-editing checklists
- WriteShop I and II for ages 12–17: descriptive, narrative, informative and persuasive writing
- Scripted teacher's guides with schedules of one, two or three weeks per lesson
- Free online placement quiz
- Print and lower-priced ebook editions
WriteShop levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| WriteShop Primary Book A | K–1 | Pre-writing through games and picture books. Children can dictate answers; no reading or writing required to start. |
| WriteShop Primary Book B | 1–2 | For children ready to start writing simple sentences and short pieces. |
| WriteShop Primary Book C | 2–3 | Builds toward short paragraphs with guided brainstorming and editing. |
| WriteShop Junior Book D | 3–4 | The usual Junior starting point. Genres, pre-writing activities, skill builders and self-editing checklists. |
| WriteShop Junior Books E and F | 4–6 | Longer pieces, working up to multi-paragraph writing near the end of each book. |
| WriteShop I and II | 6–10 | Ages 12–17. WriteShop I has 16 lessons and WriteShop II has 14, covering descriptive, narrative, informative, persuasive and expository writing. |
WriteShop has a short online placement quiz that recommends a starting book based on your child's age and writing skills.
Official WriteShop placement test ↗How much does WriteShop cost?
WriteShop is sold by Demme Learning as one-time purchases. Primary sets include the Teacher's Guide and Activity Pack ($45.72 print or $38.25 ebook for Book A). Junior sets include the Teacher's Guide and Student Workbooks ($123.93 print or $96.30 ebook for Book D). The WriteShop I and II Set has the shared Teacher's Manual and both student workbooks ($170.74 print or $135.00 ebook). Prices as of October 2026.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| WriteShop Primary Book A Set (print) | $45.72 | One-time | — |
| WriteShop Primary Book A Set (ebooks) | $38.25 | One-time | — |
| WriteShop Junior Book D Set (print) | $123.93 | One-time | — |
| WriteShop Junior Book D Set (ebooks) | $96.30 | One-time | — |
| WriteShop I and II Set (print) | $170.74 | One-time | — |
| WriteShop I and II Set (ebooks) | $135 | One-time | — |
Free trial: No free trial. Free sample lessons and scope-and-sequence PDFs are on writeshop.com.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Reviewers praise WriteShop's step-by-step lessons and creative activities and often call it a top pick for the early grades. The main complaint is the amount of parent time and prep it takes.
Common praise
- Clear lesson plans that new homeschool parents can follow
- Fun, multisensory activities for young writers
- Self-editing checklists reduce nagging
Common complaints
- Lots of parent prep and one-on-one time
- Heavy on crafts for kids who do not enjoy them
- Grammar practice is minimal
Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com · writeshop primary books a b and c and writeshop junior books
WriteShop family reviews
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WriteShop FAQs
Who publishes WriteShop?
WriteShop is published by Demme Learning, the company behind Math-U-See. Books are sold through the Demme Learning store and homeschool retailers.
Is WriteShop Christian or secular?
Cathy Duffy rates WriteShop Primary and Junior as secular but Christian friendly. The lessons focus on writing skills rather than faith content.
Which WriteShop level should I start with?
Use the free placement quiz on writeshop.com. As a rough guide, Book A suits most kindergartners and first graders, Book D is the usual start for grades 3–4, and WriteShop I starts around age 12.
How long does each WriteShop book take?
Primary and Junior books have 10 lessons each. Schedules allow one, two or three weeks per lesson, and most families take three weeks, so one book fills about 30 weeks.
Does WriteShop teach grammar?
Only lightly. Junior includes Fold-N-Go Grammar Packs, but reviewers note the exercises are minimal, so most families add a separate grammar program.
Is the ebook version the same as print?
Yes, ebooks have the same content at a lower price. You print the student pages at home, so factor in paper and ink.
Can ESA or scholarship money pay for WriteShop?
Often, as writing curriculum, but each program decides. Save WriteShop to your Edulist wishlist and check your state's scholarship page before you buy.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources:
- writeshop.com
- writeshop.com · placement
- writeshop.com · writeshop products
- writeshop.com · writeshop scope sequence by level
- store.demmelearning.com · writeshop
- store.demmelearning.com · ws book a
- store.demmelearning.com · ws book d
- store.demmelearning.com · writeshop i and ii set
- store.demmelearning.com · ws i and ii bundle ebooks
- cathyduffyreviews.com · writeshop primary books a b and c and writeshop junior books