I need to work with DS on his handwriting. The curriculum package I bought came with Zane-Bloser for 4th grade (cursive), but he needs to to back to a first or second grade level (manuscript). What would be a solid purchase to get him back on track with writing? He needs to re-learn how to form letters, spacing, size, everything!
I use Pentime. It is cheap and does the job. I'd pick up the Pentime Transitions book that has both print and cursive in it.
I use Donna Young's handwriting pages. They're free! And pretty comprehensive. http://www.donnayoung.org/penmanship/index.htm
We do not use any program, we do copywork. I write out a passage from a book or scripture on lined paper, and then have her copy it exactly. It is easy and free. Well, except for the writing tablet paper.
Well, see, my son needs to re-learn how to properly write all of the letters. Like, we need to start from scratch. Copywork would do him no good.
I like Handwriting without Tears also. My ds used the 3rd grade cursive book and it's worked great. I like the simple style it teaches. He's on the 4th grade book, Cursive Success, but it's just another review book only it goes into some grammar and paragraph writing exercises.
We're liking A Reason for Handwriting this year. And for a boy to not complain, it's important. My Ker is doing AR4H too. I like www.handwritingforkids.com - also, I like tracing as practice as well. www.worksheetworks.com lets you type in your own stuff to trace - either manuscript or cursive.
Actually that IS HOW I taught mine to write. I just started with one word at a time, etc. You can teach him yourself you know.
We are going to use A Reason for Handwriting. I chose the Transition one for my 3rd grader since they did hardly any cursive work last year and he needs the reinforcement.
I really like Pentime. The "old-fashioned" style similar (or even identical) to ZB. That means the cursive has "curls" instead of "canes". Even ZB doesn't do the traditional style anymore, now preferring the "modified".
Handwriting without Tears works well for my 2 kids. DS 5 DD 7 plus i made my DS (k-5) out a little homemade book that he also uses to practice his numbers.
