Draw Write Now Review

by Patty
(Hartselle, AL)

We used levels 1-8 of Draw Write Now from August 2008-June 2009.

Likes: My favorite thing about this program is the storage case! All 8 books come in a handy sleeve. We have 3 children in the elementary grades and they all love this program because it shows them how to draw step by step. The sentences that accompany each drawing are simple in the earlier books, getting more complex as the numbers get higher, as do the drawings.

I would not use this program as a stand-alone handwriting program, but it encourages the child to write about their drawing. This in turn sets the child up for story writing in later grades. I found notebooks that had the top half of the page blank and the bottom with enough lines to write each sentence on the page.

Dislikes: My only gripe about this program? NO DINOSAURS! My boys love dinosaurs and found none of them in these books.

Helpful and Easy to Use

by Heather
(Sachse, TX, USA)

I have used these books with both of my children. My kids both love to draw and my DD loves to write, but my ds does not. The easy to follow instructions for drawing the animals, people, and other shapes in these lessons drew my kids in and held their attention. My son even (sometimes) enjoyed copying their words about the animals, etc. and he'd sometimes make up his own stories about them as well. Overall, this was a helpful into to art/drawing and a good maintenance for our writing.

Science, History, Art, & Handwriting!

by Carmen
(Myakka City, FL USA)

Levels Used: All
Dates Used: 2001-present

Likes: This is the one curriculum that ALL my kids have used. My youngest 2 girls still pull these books out just to draw and have fun. But they are not just for girls. Boys will find plenty to draw such as airplanes, alligators, and Indians.

The books easily tie into science, history and art. The handwriting is easy to follow with bright pictures and art instruction. This has been the best investment in my homeschool library!

Dislikes: I can't think of one dislike! Honestly!

Can Supplement or Use Alone

by Katy
(Lakewood, California, USA)

Product: Draw, Write, Now books 1-8
Levels Used: early elementary
Dates Used: school years: 2008-2010

Likes: I love how these books work. You can follow their books and supplement with other learning enrichment activities OR you can use the books to supplement your own curricula.

As a stand alone product, they offer fun hand writing practice and drawing instruction. Even as an adult that "can't draw", I was inspired to try a few selections occasionally that helped me be able to draw a few scenes and objects.

Dislikes: I wish there was more supplementary products to go along with the subjects of the lessons. For example, the national icons section would accompany a lesson on U.S History. It's not that hard to supplement myself but it would eliminate a step if there were already suggested products to go along with it.

Not a Good Fit

by Stephannie
(Richmond, VA)

Levels Used: 1
Dates Used: 2008

Likes: The idea of drawing things to learn how to gain the skills for handwriting is a nice concept.

Dislikes: I got this because it said that it would help my child who hated handwriting to improve his skills. He hated it, and it did nothing for his handwriting.

Fun for Littles

by Amber
(Dallas)

Levels Used: K
Dates Used: 2008

Likes: fun, easy

Dislikes: none

My daughter enjoyed our writing/drawing lessons with these books. She had a short attention span at the time but the lessons were perfect for her level.