Handwriting redux (this time with phonics)

[BonnieLK]

I was going to hold off on handwriting and just stick to verbal/intro to phonics (Get Ready/Set/Go for the Code) but my son's occupational therapist had him working on letter formation using HWOT at this week's session and believes he's ready for that (although it'll be slow going/attitude dependent at this point).

 

So I have a few dilemmas.

 

1) HWOT and Code workbooks approach the alphabet in different order

 

2) They approach from different directions (capitals vs lowercase)

 

3) If I do both (should I do both???), should I align the letters? IE use the HWOT letter in conjunction with the Code letter (with the HWOT letter leading)

 

4) If I can only do one, which is more important? (He knows most letter sounds, I found out when I approached from a "movement" angle instead of a "point at print and tell me" angle, so I've been thinking of returning the Code books but I'm new at this and don't want to screw up)

[Guest]

You eventually need to do both, obviously. But they are separate skills and you could get into a good rhythm with one before adding the other.

 

You could get some primary paper and introduce things as you do them in etc.

 

You could do progressive phonics alongside progressive printing (same website, both free).

[BonnieLK]

Oh, thank  you--your response has been VERY helpful. I'm reluctant to add two different handwriting programs if occupational therapy is going to use one and I'm going to use another, but I really love the Progressive Phonics material. Phonics without writing is exactly what I need. I'm printing Alphabetti 1 now. Will give Progressive Printing a closer look to determine whether it will fit with OT.

 

 

[ReadingMama1214]

I did handwriting without tears in a different order in PreK. I did whatever letter Dd was working on in phonics. It worked for introductory writing.

 

Now that we are in the K book we go through it in order. The exception is that I taught her the letters in her first and last name. She practices those regularly and I did those letters first.

 

I understand the use of the HWOT program in order, but I don't think it's detrimental to have the two skills doing different things. I think it is completely possible to follow HWOT order and the AAR order. Looking at them as 2 different skills helps.

[BonnieLK]

We're looking at HWOT because DS has fine motor delays, especially wrist flexion, so he needs the letters in order of "easiest" to more difficult. That's why I'm trying to figure out how to tailor to HWOT. I ordered materials including little chalk bits and the slate, which I think will be helpful for pencil grip but there is still the matter of "arm writing" and sort of folding his wrist so his hand tucks in toward his forearm. Using chalk to draw/write is therapeutic anyway and he equates the smiley face to "fun" instead of "work".

 

I might just skip the letter formation aspect of ETC because HWOT is uppercase and ETC is lowercase, and just use the verbal or non-tracing activities while doing the letter sounds out of order.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience.