I received an email from Barker Creek – asking if I’d consider reviewing their site – and sharing their resources with you. Their logo looked familiar. I clicked over to the site to take a peek. It reminded me of the afternoons spent in the Teacher’s Resource Stores. I loved looking through all of the fun items to make our home a learning resource center. Fun ideas for walls, folders, thematic units, planning books – An Elementary School Teacher’s Dream.
They are a Northwest Company – so I told them I’d mention them on the blog – but that my boys had moved a bit past the cute elementary supplies. I wasn’t sure what item I’d review?
She offered to send me the Draw Write Now Set of books – and give me a set to give away – on my blog – Wait.
HOLD The Phone. Stop the E-mails. In my haste to click on the blog –
I had MISSED IT!!! Barker Creek. Draw Write Now. YES! I was familiar with their product!!!
We have been intentionally learning at home for over 9 years. There are few books that have stayed on the Current Learning Shelf for that duration. Book Number 1 – Farms – has been on our art shelf, within arms reach – the entire time.
When the boys were very young –
They didn’t really write, or want to write, or have things to write about. We used quite a few methods of helping them write – cutting play dough snakes with scissors, picking up cheerios, drawing lines and circles – and then – we found Draw Write Now. We’d have the boys pick a photo they were interested in from the index, find the page, then start on the steps.
This takes a bit of skill, learning how to use an index, page numbers, and following the example steps with close and careful observation.
I’d encourage them to color in their drawings with colored pencils and choose at least one sentence sample to copywork onto their page.
For my boys – this time was more productively spent than 20-30 minutes with a handwriting course. They were practicing their fine motor skills in their fingers, developing pencil holding muscles, and practicing the eye hand coordination that must happen. It may be hard for you to sketch a nature object – think of the same frustration for a 4-6 year old to form letters – that are useless to them.
As they grew older –
We used the Draw Write Now sets in the library – to help us illustrate our narrations. Giving us ideas on how to create boats, polar bears, trains, and horses with our pencils. The landscapes had more detail, the feathering and drawing more fine tuned. More items seemed to be added to the backgrounds. Birds were sketched in more physical positions. Jon is constantly asking – What should I draw? I usually pull out the book and we work on creating a better swan, or cat, or horse. Oh – I almost forgot, each book is a themed unit study!
Would I need them for High School?
I felt a little bad, that now, in the 6th and 9th grades, we would finally have a complete set for our use, when the boys are so much older. I really shouldn’t have worried. Jon immediately opened the set and turned the kitchen table into a craft center. He dug through the images of each book, creating bears, people, shrimp, shells, and birds. Nate is still not a big sketcher, he may never be – and honestly – he has not used them, but – visiting friends, with older kids – have enjoyed using these books as well.
The pages have art suggestions of how to use the direction of strokes from the colored pencils to help give texture to the picture. how to blend the colors. How to show perspective. It may not be a High School Credit for Art – but does all art need to be hard and arduous to be learning and practicing creativity? It is still on my using shelf this year.
So – For you Dear Reader – 5 Ways to Enter:
No matter your age – You’ll want these in your classroom. You can buy one at a time like we did, or the entire set. I don’t say this often, but it is an good investment into your resource library. If you’d like to try to get one for free – here is how you may enter.
Comment on the Blog – “Have you used these or seen these before?”
What is your favorite supply from the website?
Like their Facebook Page
Tweet about the Giveaway
Like my Facebook
(Leave a comment for each entry)
From the Barker Creek – Website:
Posters -(I have quite a few of these.)
- Historical Barns
- Transcontinental Railroad
- Reindeer
- Nautical Adventures
- Handwriting Counts
Disclaimer: I received a request to review the Barker Creek. I was given a free sample from their store in exchange for hosting a giveaway on my blog, if I desired, and for sharing my experience with their products with you. I have enjoyed Barker Creek for many years and highly recommend that you use them for your learning needs!
We have a Winner! Congrats Sadie from http://www.snapshotsoflife5d.blogspot.com/
+Angie Wright
Pebblekeeper 
Pingback: Barker Creek Press, Review and Giveaway | Petra School
Congratulations to Sadie! She is our WINNER!!!! Check out her blog at http://www.snapshotsoflife5d.blogspot.com/
I already like your Facebook page.
I now like their Facebook page.
I’d enjoy the Draw Right Now with my son or the decorative file folders for my girls.
I have seen this but not used it.
Please enter me in the giveaway. These are wonderful books. I only have one in our library that I picked up at a used book sale a couple of years ago. I teach a co-op art class for 3rd – 6th graders and this would be great to use for some classes.
Blessings
Diane
I took one out from my local library. It was fun for my kids to use. Awesome giveaway! :O)
Awesome! I love these books. We used to check them out from the library to use 🙂
I like your FB page. 🙂
I liked their FB page.
My favorite thing so far on the website is the Bunches of Bugs activity book.
I’ve only heard of these before on other HS blogs, but have not seen/used them.
I already liked your fb page:)
I liked their fb page:)
I have seen/heard of these before, but have not used them yet. I would love to try them! 🙂 Carlychandler2@yahoo.com
Liked you both on Facebook
Draw Write Now is my favorite on the website.
We have used these a few times and love them!
Besides the Draw Write Now set, the kidswords magnets caught my eye. I would love to get something like that for my Nathan
I like your Facebook page
liked their Facebook page
tweeted the giveaway for you.
I saw them at your house , does that count.. I have seen them before but never really looked at them seriously until you and I talked about them.
I liked you on FB.
I liked your FB page.
I like Barker Creek Publishing. on FB
I meant that I liked Barker Creek on FB. 😉
I have seen one of the books before.
I liked Draw Write Now on FB.
There are so many interesting things on their website. I keep liking the kid boards, though.
I’ve been looking to use the Draw, Write Now books this year! It would be terrific to win them!
Draw Write Now is definitely my fav on their site! thanks.
Liked their FB page (I already had previously!)
Liked your FB page
My very reluctant 9 year old would love to write in these! Thanks for the opportunity!
Honestly, I have to say the Draw Write Now series is my favorite.
I liked Barker Creek’s Facebook page.
I liked your Facebook page (and follow your blog too!).
Draw Write Now is on my wish list for our learning experience this year. My son loves to draw, but writes reluctantly. I’m hoping it will spur him on to writing more.
I’ve liked their facebook page.
The Zoobilee activity book looks fun!
I’ve seen these online, but never in person.
I “Like” your FB page.
I’d love to try the Math Manipulatives Activity Kit.
I “Like” their FB page.
We saw these at our library when our twins were younger. We took a few out and loved them.
Oh we have 1 book here and I often have to copy pages so the three kids can work on the same subject matter. I have a 4,6 and 8 year old who all LOVE Draw, Write Now. My 4 year old is far more likely to copy text to talk about his picture than write because i told him to! We use it to teach my older two cursive. But what I love most is the fact that the drink skills they learn are transferable to other artworks. Many how to draw books just don’t teach them anything they can remember to use again later. All their drawings now have beautiful backgrounds, shading, detail and quite often some writing as well. This 1 book has don’t wonders for them and I would LOVE to get my hands on the whole set!
i liked your facebook page
I like the look of their Kidshapes Pentominoes Activity Book — we like to play w/math manipulatives!
i liked their facebook page!
I have to say that I can’t just pick one thing that I like on their website—but I can narrow it down to two things–I love the Draw Write Now series and the magnetic manipulatives (for all the different things that can be learned–the math, the US States etc).
I liked their FB Page!
both of my kids have used these. great for a bit of focused time. we really like them!
I liked the Petra Homeschooling FB Page!
we are going to use the polar regions book and they look great!
I am going to like your facebook page.
I tweeted.
I like your facebook page.
I liked their facebook page.
My favorite product from the website is Draw Write Now
We have used the first book and loved it!
I tweeted about the giveaway! 🙂
I liked your FB page!
I liked their FB page!
There are so many great things at the website, but they thing I want most right now is the pack you are giving away. It is the product I have already put on my wishlist. 🙂
I have just recently heard about this product and am soooo wanting to get it for my little Artist! I know she would love it! I am excited to read such a great review!
I tweeted about your giveaway. My twitter name is teeniebeenie6. Thanks : )
I liked your facebook page. : )
I liked Barker Creek Publishings Facebook Page.
My favorite supply on their website besides the Draw Write Now series would be the Learning Magnets!
We own a few but have not used them yet. One of them is scheduled in our curriculum for this year.
These are GREAT books!
This looks very interesting to me. I would love to try these books! I really think the boys would enjoy them.
My favorite things on their website are the Draw Write Now books.
I liked your FB page! 🙂
I liked their FB page!
Liked your Facebook page 🙂
I’ve heard of these before but never used them. I would love to get a set to try out with my kids, especially my middle one. We both love to draw!
No, I have not heard of these before but would love to win them and try them out.
I like you on fb
I have used these books in the past with my oldest son. We enjoyed them greatly. I would love to use them with my younger 3 as well.
I liked them on fb
My favorite supply from their site is the draw write now
I have seen these before on other blogs. they are on my wish list
I tweeted the giveaway. Here’s the link: https://twitter.com/homewithcarol/status/240873022439972866
I liked your FB page.
My fav on the website is the KidsUSA books.
We have a couple of these titles, but I’d love to win the set for my 8 year old who is constantly drawing.
Other than the Draw Write Now books….I love the Handwriting Tablets for Kinder.
I have seen these and LOVED this idea…..I am a newbie at homeschooling, I am now a kindergarten teacher at home. 🙂 Would love a set to help out.
I like Petra School on FB (Clothesline Musings).
I liked Barker Creek on FB (Clothesline Musings).
To be honest, I looked for a long time on their website and other than the product you are giving away I can’t find anything we would use in our homeschool. If I were teaching in a classroom I would be all over the buletin board supplies but nothing else is applicable to our homeschool.
Out of everything in the store, The Draw Write Now books look most interesting.
I’m a fan of Barker Creek Publishing fb page.
I’m a fan of your page!
I “LIKE” Petra School on FB! : )
I “LIKE” Barker Creek on FB!
I love these books. Don’t have any but would love to have them!
My favorite supply would have to be the Draw Write Now set…LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!
We have never used these but I recently learned about them and would love a set for my son who I am homeschooling this year for the first time!
Liked your FB page — thanks again for the opportunities
I love the Magnetic Kidshapes™ Tangram Activity Kit — other magnetic sets as well
I like Barker Creek on FB
This looks awesome!! Thanks for the opportunity.
Christy Coy — christy at coypond dot net
I’ve heard people drooling over these books but I’ve never investigated and thus have never seen INSIDE the book until now. WOW!!! These look awesome!!! I would love to win, thanks for letting them twist your arm to give you a copy to give away!
I liked their facebook page
I ‘like’ your FB page!
I “like” Barker creek FB page!
I liked your facebook page
Favorite is the Draw Write sets but I also like PCS® Learning Magnets® 45 Social Phrases & Questions
I would love to add this set to our homeschool collection! I have 3 budding artists!
Practicing handwriting is always a struggle with my daughter. This would be a great reasource.
I would love to have this set, it would be great for my special needs dd. I have heard of this series before but never purchased it. My daughter loves to doodle so this would be great way to introduce more art lessons and she needs practice in writing so it would work great for her
I liked your fb page
I have liked the Baker’s Creek fb page
I have never used anything from their site but I really want to use the Draw, Write, Now
I have seen them but never used them. I really want to though!
I would love, love LOVE to have this set of books! Lily is very artistic and always drawing and asking ME (not a good idea) to show her how to draw something. And Jon is just showing some interest in art. Thanks for showing us them being used! =)
I visited their website for the first time & found all sorts of goodies I might need! It might take me a while to pick a favorite.
I already like you on FB 🙂
I liked Barker Creek on FB 🙂
I have heard of them but have never used them. I think it would help my son to write more, he already loves drawing!!
Already like Petra school. (The other one was for the company.)
I liked on Facebook. 🙂
I like the Draw Write Now books! 🙂
Yes, I have used these! 🙂
Went to their site. Loved the learning magnets, the state capitals and state activity set, and of course the ape hanging upside down poster that says Everyday is a good day
Liked their facebook page
Liked your facebook page
We are going to try to use one of the books this year for the first time.
I haven’t heard of them before but it looks fantastic!
liked your fb!
tweeted about giveaway
liked on their page on fb
I love these organizing tools!!!
http://www.barkercreek.com/products/productdetail/Get+Organized%21+Black+Dots/part_number=BC-1003/183.0.1.1.110219.0.0.0.0?pp=12&
I’ve spent some time on their site and I think I’d still say Draw Write Now looks most interesting.
I’ve only seen them but never used them.
I already like your FB page 🙂
I liked their page.
I liked their FB page.
I have not used these, but they have been on my wish list (and in my Amazon cart) for nearly 8 years now… just haven’t taken the plunge. Now that I have my second pair of kids nearing writing age I’ve been looking at them again. I’ve never heard anything bad about these books. I’m going to have to bite the bullet and start collecting them already. After this giveaway, that is 🙂
I liked Petra School on FB
I liked Barker Creek on Facebook
I love the Draw Write Now books. I would love to have a complete set. My boys have used some of these!
And I already like Petra school!
I liked barker creek.
My favorite would be the draw right now books.
I’ve definitely seen these and would love a chance to try them!
I have seen them but never used them even though I would love to!
I also “liked” your page on facebook.
I tweeted about it!
I “liked” on facebook
I love love love, Draw Write Now! They are fabulous!
I went to their web page and love the kid magnets!
I liked their Facebook page
I love these books!
I would love to give these a try in my classroom.
I went to the website and love that they have so many library pockets in such fun patterns!
Thanks for offering this. I would love to get my hands on one of these for my kids. They would love it. I saw these at a homeschool convention in June and thought they were great.
I liked Barker’s Creek FB page.
I have one of these books on my shelf that I forgot about. I have boys as well and from your suggestion, I’m going to use this as our writing! Thanks!
I liked your Facebook page.
I liked you on fb as well!
I liked Barker Creek on fb.
I like Barker Creek’s FB.
I like your FB.
The boxed set would be my favorite.
Yes, we have book 2 & 5, but we would love to have some more.
Tweet tweet: https://twitter.com/HSHeartandMind/status/240549428535119874
I already like your FB page. ;0)
I’ve liked Barker Creek’s FB page as Susan Anadale.
No, I haven’t tried them, but I’m sure my boys will be thrilled if we win this set. ;0)
My favorite supply ? Well, the boxed set of course 🙂
I ‘like’ your FB page 🙂
I ‘like’ Barker Creek’s FB page 🙂
Yes, I’ve seen these before!
I am very interested in these books and think they would be very useful with my family. I have heard good things about this series.