Copywork questions now…

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  • September 28, 2009 at 4:15 am
    Abbaschild
    Participant

    I’ve used the Startwrite software for the last couple of years for copywork but am wondering if it is fine to just give my 3rd grader a selection in a book and ask her to copy it from that.  Would save me some time.  Or is it preferable to keep doing it the way I have been?  I can see using it in those early years when they are still really needing to see how the letters are formed, etc., but thought maybe now that she’s moved past that, we could do it the other way.

    Also, another question regarding “perfectly executed” letters, etc.  This same 3rd grader can, when she wants to, produce beautiful handwriting, but I’ve noticed that she has a tendency to quickly form her letters or numbers sometimes.  I’d assume that most people would just brush it off and say “Oh, good enough…”, but for me, it almost seems like she WANTS to write messier or more “adult-like”.  Does that make sense?  And, how do you tell a child to keep forming perfect letters when we all don’t write with some cookie-cutter style, either?  If we’re struggling in this area, should I just back away from three sentences to just a short sentence with emphasis to her that I’m giving her a shorter lesson, but expecting to see her absolute best?  Or, maybe it’s time for some natural consequences – having to re-do her copywork at the end of the day when it’s time to go play…..

    Or, am I being too picky?

     

    September 28, 2009 at 11:43 am
    Rachel White
    Participant

    I agree with the last two ideas as ways to deal with it. Some days, give her a shorter passage, but other than that if it’s messy, it’s messy; whatever the style and it needs to be done over.

    My 8 yr old. dd has also started to try to write ‘fast’ as she says. She marvels at my ability to write quickly and she wants to do the same. She’s already a ‘quickly oriented’ child in most everything, so this goes along with her personality. I’ve taken that as a sign that she is ready to transition into cursive. Maybe that is what she is letting you know, too?

    I’ve told her though that I write quickly because I’ve been writing for over 25 yrs., and her print will get quicker naturally as she ages, and cursive will allow her to write more quickly, too; but that sloppy is not acceptable.

    BTW, I haven’t found the right age to start using the actual book to copy from yet, as it seems to still confuse them. My children end up trying to write the way the letters are printed, which isn’t the correct written style; so I’m still going to wait before doing that.

    HTH,

    Rachel

     

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