My 7yo DS has taken to drawing. He loves the step by step books that show him how to draw. I was thinking of adding the Draw Write Now books to our school day, since he likes to draw and he could use the copy work. However, I am afraid if I combine the two, it might take the fun out of drawing. You know, like when an adult turns his/her hobby into a business, often times they don't like their hobby anymore. KWIM? Anyway, do any of your children use these books? If so can you give me your pros/cons or your thoughts on my concern? TIA
I used them with my older two and now going through the series again with my youngest (age 8). I keep it very fun, and switch off with other "warm up" type activities. Some days my younger does journaling, other days will be Draw*Write*Now. I just don't demand that it be done every single day. That might take the fun out of it. I've never had any of my kids complain about having to do it.
I just gave the books to my children and let them draw what they wanted, when they wanted, I didn't count it as schoolwork. I tried to make them work through the drawings and then the writings (I loved that idea) but they didn't see them as a school book, but a fun book (if they ignored the writing part!)
My oldest loves drawing, but hates the books. I have two. I'm hoping to bring them back in the spring and try again.
I like the books and some days I will have them do both the drawing and writing or I would just have them do the drawing but write something else. I bought them more for the drawing since I am horrible at drawing. At 35 I still draw like I am 5 They are the part of the fun school here.
my daughter writes whatever she wants for that day, and then looks through the books to find pics that she can used to illustrate what she's already written. She likes them!
We use Draw Write Now in conjunction with our history (MOH; had to reorder a bit since it'e written for SOTW). My boys love it. It's the big fun activity after a 'boring' history lesson. lol
Tried it majorly with an older dyslexic student, but he gave up. We picked and chose among the "units" to go along with history somewhat. Tried it last year with DGS but he was less than enchanted. He likes to draw, and likes writing his own stories. But didn't want to follow the models whatsoever. Just the other day, though, he asked to do "art" - he remembered a picture of a tractor, and wanted to do that one, but lost interest quickly. I loved the idea, and have tried it several times with various students, but for us it's pretty much an epic fail.
