Name: Spreading the Feast Gathering
Start: 2025-07-11T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-07-12T23:59:59-05:00
Location: LaGrange, KY

This topic has 16 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 14 years ago by Wings2fly.

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May 28, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Heather
Participant
I am wondering if anyone has a handwriting program that they just love. I am interested in something for my 1st grader who can write some letters but has never been asked to up until now. I was thinking of Queens printing with pictures, but I think one book only lasts 12 weeks which I cannot afford. I was also thinking of HWT, but I am not sure. Do you have anything you absolutely love, that will encourage excellence in handwriting, but will also be economical? I’d prefer to use something that I don’t need to print out either, due to the cost of printer ink.
Thanks!
May 28, 2011 at 4:12 pm
suzukimom
Participant
I absolutely love Peterson Directed Handwriting!
May 28, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Heather
Participant
Thanks suzukimom, I’ve just checked it out. Would the “Homeshool Kit Basic” be all that I need for a year?
Here is the link…
http://shop.peterson-handwriting.com/product.sc;jsessionid=2F1460818EDE4F865C8B007F377A03D9.qscstrfrnt03?productId=17&categoryId=5
Thanks!
May 28, 2011 at 9:25 pm
suzukimom
Participant
Well, I did their Cursive First ebook option…
It looks to me like it would be what you would need…

If you have a number of kids, you might want to look at the eBook because you can print however many pages you need… http://shop.peterson-handwriting.com/product.sc?productId=120&categoryId=19

I have called them a couple of times – the first to discuss the program, where to start my son (who had done a fair bit of the “Cursive First” program by another company), what to do with my lefthanded 4yo who wanted to write, etc. The second time, to discuss what to do with my son now, who can write fairly well when he wants to, but always chooses to use a horrid untaught print when he wants to write something down for himself.
Both times, they were willing to talk with me (extensively) to answer my questions, to make sure I understand what I’m doing, etc. I was fairly surprised the second time when he suggested things to do with my son to help him integrate cursive into his habits using things we are reading (he originally suggested using our spelling lists until I said we aren’t working on a spelling program) when I know full well that they have an ebook (Grade 3 Word Masters) to do what he was describing. I thought it was great that he was more concerned with helping me, then selling the product.
So personally, I’d phone them to see if they would recommend the Kit, or if they would recommend the ebook option…
btw – looks like they have revamped the website! (The old one was HARD to find info…. I’ll have to look this one oever!)
May 28, 2011 at 10:35 pm
amandajhilburn
Participant
We have used the Zaner Bloser handwriting workbooks and both my children did well with them.
May 29, 2011 at 12:31 am
Heather
Participant
Wow, Zaner Bloser looks good too…and even cheaper! Is the student book all you need?
May 29, 2011 at 10:22 pm
calliemarie
Participant
Suzukimom, I have been looking into Peterson Directed Handwriting for a bit now – thanks to your suggestion in another thread, I believe!
I plan to do curvise first and use the first E-book. When I spoke to Mr. Nelson he thought I might also need the Grade 3 Homeschool Kit (since 3rd grade level is when they start teaching cursive) that includes a student text and teacher’s manual.
Two questions for you: Did you need anything else other than the first E-book for Cursive? Now that I’ve read through the first E-book for Cursive, watched almost every video and presentation he’s done and asked him personal questions I believe I could handle everything with the first E-book for a long time. Any recommendations on this?
And then the other seems like a bigger deal – what about copywork? When my daughter is ready for that where do I find the exact Peterson method font to type up copywork assignments for her? Perhaps it’s easier to find this font than I think? For example, I noticed a current thread about Queens Printing in Cursive books. Do you think using those (which use Zaner-Bloser font) or a print font for copywork would be very confusing for a child that’s been taught to write in the Peterson method cursive? I would think you want your copywork selections in the same font that you wish the child to write in.
Of course if I master this Peterson method for myself perhaps I can write her copywork selections for her! 😉
Thoughts?
May 29, 2011 at 11:56 pm
Lesley Letson
Participant
we tried Handwriting Without Tears and it just wasn’t working for us, but I have had other friends who sang its praises greatly, so I know it is great for some.
We went through the Zaner-Bloser book, and yes, the student book is all you need. We only did the Kindergarten level – that was great for covering the basic letter formation. Then we moved on to copywork. I recently found the Memoria Press Copybooks and really like them (I was trying to make my own copywork, but didn’t keep up as well as I’d like and decided I needed to just buy a book). They have basic letter formation (much like the Zaner Bloser book) at the beginning and I thought my son would balk at that, being as we covered that last year – but he didn’t and frankly it has been good because I noticed him getting lazy in how he wrote some of his letters – it has been a good refresher. I liked the idea of Queen’s copybooks, but not having the dotted line was an issue for us right now.
May 30, 2011 at 1:23 am
suzukimom
Participant
calliemarie
For my son, who already knew some cursive letters, I used the Step 2 ebook. For my daughter, I have been using the Step 1 ebook (very very slowly). but in the order of the letters that the Step 2 ebook presents them (as she can already read…)
I also read everything I could find on the site (which was a bit differently laid out), etc.
They do sell the font… but I can’t afford it (but would sure like too) I had asked them about what to do, and they said most of the cursive fonts would be close enough. I’ve been doing copywork using this site http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/flash/cursive/paragraph/index.html and it is reasonably similar in appearance that it doesn’t bother my son. (the small p is different – it has a loop in it). I have also handwritten a few (I can write it in their font faily well… ) but I just don’t like the extra work.
I have to say I love the program, and I think it has worked well… but my son does still tend to do a never-taught print when he is writing when it isn’t copywork. I’m following some recommendations they have given me to help him get so that he can write while trying to thing about what he is writing. (using their “cursvie print” is part of that… forming the cursive letters, but lifting the pencil between letters…)

June 7, 2011 at 2:18 am
ALK
Participant
We just started using Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting and my kids love it. They get sad when I tell them they need to stop. You buy one program for all ages, and just print whatever you need off of your computer. There are lots of fun exercises for little ones to do. It teaches Italic handwriting, which I think Charlotte Mason recommended. I also like that there is no need to learn a new style of letters for cursive. The manuscript letters just connect easily for cursive. It is a very legible, beautiful, and effecient style of writing.
June 7, 2011 at 3:10 am
Heather
Participant
Thank you for all of these wonderful recommendations! My head was spinning and I came across a handwriting post which turned me toward StartWrite! I purchased the program and just tried it out tonight for the first time and I love it! I can use any style, font, arrows, dots for tracing and I can create my own copywork! It turned out to be a good choice, and economical since I won’t have to buy another consumable workbook for any of my children.
Interestingly, you mention italic. I guess I never thought to teach italic before, but I may try it with my oldest. I think it would work to improve her handwriting as well.
Thanks again for all the great suggestions. I don’t know what I’d do without all of you sweet ladies!
June 7, 2011 at 3:25 am
missceegee
Participant
I do not start with manuscript, but with cursive. I’ve used two programs successfully and both are inexpensive.
Cursive First – (reproducible) used with dd10 who has lovely penmanship
Pencil Pete – (software) used with ds7 and will for the younger two kids since it is hands off for me and that’s a big help
June 7, 2011 at 4:32 am
ALK
Participant
I wanted to add something to my previous post. Along with the Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting (BFH) I also got the Italic Handwriting Series by Getty and Dubay. Before we started working with the BFH, I wanted to see the Italic Series too, just to compare. I really like the way the workbook is laid out, and I really like the Italic style of handwriting. I have not actually tried the Italic Handwriting Series book with my kids yet, but it looks like it will be really good. The workbook is cheap, but you need to buy a new one every year, unlike the BFH, which is a greater cost initially, but then no more expense. Both of these 2 options look good for teaching Italic handwriting.
June 7, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Betty Dickerson
Participant
I have a 7yo that struggles with fine motor skills but who really wants to learn cursive. I checked out Cursive First and it looks great! I thought it might also reinforce phonics since she struggles with reading as well. The only thing that made me nervous was the teacher requirement. With a new baby coming I’m not sure what life will be like.
I’d love to hear more about Pencil Pete. I went over to the website and looked around. How did you use it? Thanks!
June 7, 2011 at 4:32 pm
missceegee
Participant
@Anabetica – that’s precisely why I now use Pencil Pete. It requires hardly anything at all from me. I turn on the program, click the letter I want to have my child work on and it repeats over and over and over until we change letters. There’s NO frustration on my part and none on my child’s since my hand isn’t in the way. After forming the letters on the lined paper, we moved into simple copywork of words and are now at sentences. Easy peasy! Cursive first is great, but required me to sit and do the instruction with dd, but the more young ones behind her anything that frees up a few moments is a blessing!