We have all of our materials purchased. We actually just ordered our Language Arts through Abeka yesterday. The only other thing that I did not order was our Handwriting without Tears books. I have a dd in K, a dd in 2nd and a dd in 4th grade. Financially speaking I would like to be done ordering, is there a website we can use for Handwriting that would work just as well? Or would purchasing these books be much more beneficial? Since this is our first year, I am a nervous wreck about making sure we have what we need, but maybe i'm over doing it?? Thanks, Pam
Scot Foresman has a free Grammar and Writing curriculum for grades 1-6. I'm not sure that this is what you have in mind? Have you tried doing a search here on the Spot or on google? Address for 2nd grade Writing curriculum. http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghbgrd2.html Address for 4th grade writing curriculum. http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghbgrd4.html Address for all 6 books. http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.html LR
Just a plug but I really, really like Peterson Directed Handwriting. It's not just about cursive but about how to grip the pencil, sit up and develop the motor skills a child needs to write well. My handwriting improved a LOT after trying it with my daughter.
Are you looking for something to actually teach handwriting or are you looking more for stuff the kids can trace and/or copy? There are tracer handwriting fonts available online for free download. If you know how to teach making the shapes of the letters, you can use the fonts to create your own tracer pages that say whatever you want. You might also just look at dltk.com's site at their handwriting pages. They're free.
I'm using the handwriting generator from www.worksheetworks.com this year. Using selected works from either history, or for my middle, just beginning cursive type stuff. HTH.
Scroll untli you are almost at the bottom of the page to find the handwriting section. Should work well for kindergarten. You can print single letter practice sheets or trace and print worksheets. Under Custom Handwriting, you can create your own handwriting worksheets. http://www.instructorweb.com/basicskills/recognition.asp
I have practice books from Abeka, We were given them back when ds or dd were k garden age, and have used them as note books foryears for the older two, the last one, has bettter printing so I have tried to work with him to not much avail he doesnt like it. just something to keep inmind, cursif is not always something they will want to do,
I wanted to add... For Kinder for both my kids they did trace only type stuff. Towards the end of the school year they were doing trace - then there'd be a space for them to write the word next to it. My middle son still does a lot of tracing - then copying. My oldest, however, has beautiful handwriting when she takes the time. I think tracing gives them the ability to build hand strength and fine motor skills well. I do think it takes pressure off, too. Early, I used www.edhelper.com handwriting page generator. As my oldest got older I would use smaller fonts and actually make it a "journal" type page including the day, date, address, etc. so that she learned and memorized those things easily as well. Not to mention for 1st and 2nd grade she has a record of her year. It's kinda fun to look back to. End of 2nd grade she started teaching herself cursive so I did end up buying a curriculum. I bought Horizon's Penmenship. I loved that each week there was one day of manuscript practice so that didn't become a lost skill.
