So I'm going to attempt Handwriting w/o tears with #4 again. (and start #5) I really think his motor skills were not far enough along 2 years ago for him to be successful. So I got out my Teacher's Manual and I've been looking at the website. There is SOOOOOO much stuff. I don't even know where to start. We have a limited budget, so I can't just order it all. I got the workbooks (K) level because Sully really needs to start over. What else do I really need? I found several helpful pages on Pinterest for DIY playdough mats and card stock (or foam board) letter shapes. Remember this is the kid that struggles to write even one or two words. I also got him a "tracing" workbook and a cutting workbook to help with his motor skills.
From what I understand of it, you can make your own letter pieces shapes out of cardboard or what-have-you (when I was working in the schools, our OT had her husband cut some out of thin plywood), and a chalkboard and chalk. Besides the workbook, I don't know what else. I don't remember our OT using anything else. Except those pencil grippers mentioned before.
I've used it for a couple of years and have just used the teacher's guide and the student guide. I've received the catalog that lists numerous other supplies, but I don't think they're needed. I have a cheap alphabet poster hung on the wall as a reference and used a lined whiteboard (Wal-Mart has these as well as wipe-off print and cursive workbooks available at low cost) in lieu of the HWT chalkboard.
I miss Walmart............. There isn't one close to us yet............... They are building one though. So many people are furious and have tried to block it every way imaginable.
So I got them each a workbook and a slate (little chalkboard) and I splurged and got the Roll-a-dough tray and the magnet Stamp and See set. #5's motor skills are terrible. I had them trying to "snip" cut today. #4 got the hang of it pretty quickly. #5 never did. He couldn't cut a straight line at all. I'm working on cutting skills based on this website :http://www.pocketfullofkinders.blogspot.com/2013/08/learning-to-cut.html I'm going to have to use clothespins and tweezers with #5. (And I have not been able to teach pencil grip at all.) I'm also considering the Keyboarding w/o tears, because the keyboarding program I have is NOT working.
