What do I NEED for HWOT?

[delaney]

They have a package for $99 but I know that some of it(like the dough) I could do myself. What parts of it do I really need. My 4 yr old really lacks fine motor for writing and the wooden pieces and salt tracing really seem to be great ideas for him.

[SweetMissMagnolia]

we just got the workbooks....but my son is 7....I'd get the small chalkboard thing they have....

[truebluexf]

I like the wooden letters, teacher's guide, workbook, mat for letters. You can get a chalkboard at the dollar store if you want and cut an old sponge for the "wet" part. We mostly used our own magnadoodle board for the practicing before writing.

[Homemama2]

I only bought the student books. (Have used the K, 1st,2nd, 3rd and 4th grade books). I have a small dry erase board that I got for about $2 instead of the slate. I can't see spending all that money and getting all that stuff to teach handwriting....but that's just me.;)

[truebluexf]

I think the first teacher's guide is worth getting, especially if your child is having any trouble. I have really appreciated the language and strategies given for teaching each letter. How much you need is going to depend on your child.

[johnandtinagilbert]

I made my own version of the wooden letters, using foam, sharpie and exacto knive for <$2...;)

[Pamela H in Texas]

My mom, an occupational therapist who believes in HWoT, would say the workbook and the slate then make the letter pieces with foam or cardboard.

[blessedathome]

I'd say the Teacher's Manual for that age is helpful for correct pencil grip, etc, (Totally not necessary after PreK or K, whichever you start with). My 4yo isn't quite ready for the workbook yet in terms of his fine motor skills but I found these cards on homeschool share and laminated them for daily practice (I am trying to link them here but I keep getting an error message from their site) Google them if you get a chance, maybe HWT cards +homeschoolshare, they work really well for us. He loves them!

[delaney]

I'd say the Teacher's Manual for that age is helpful for correct pencil grip, etc, (Totally not necessary after PreK or K, whichever you start with). My 4yo isn't quite ready for the workbook yet in terms of his fine motor skills but I found these cards on homeschool share and laminated them for daily practice (I am trying to link them here but I keep getting an error message from their site) Google them if you get a chance, maybe HWT cards +homeschoolshare, they work really well for us. He loves them!

Good to know because his pencil grip is.......interesting to say the least. He can cut, build with small legos, but not the pencil grip. Well at least he has a perfect spiral when he throws the football!:tongue_smilie:

I will get the manual, wooden letters(for durability), tray, and make some cards. I can provide the dough and a salt box for him. Maybe in a few months he will get the workbook. He was doing straight line tracing today and it was a bit of a train wreck with his grip the way it is!