HWOT Cursive users ?'s

[Audrey]

If you use HWOT for cursive, what is your opinion of it? I've never used HWOT at all, but need something very simple, very easy to learn for ds for cursive. He wants to learn, but is really struggling which is becoming a huge dent in his self-confidence.

 

I've already ordered it (I had no impulse control this morning :001_unsure:). What do I need to know before HWOT? Is it set up so that one could jump into it without having used the printing part? How is the teacher's guide? Any helpful tips would be much appreciated. :bigear:

 

TIA!

[nukeswife]

Audrey,

 

I'm using the Grade 3 book (which is the first cursive book in the series) I've found that I really don't need the TM. There are a few pages where I'm supposed to use it to give him some words to spell, but we've skipped that part since my son has struggled with cursive. He's doing 4th grade work most of his subject but writing and cursive have been a struggle. He still prints all his other work.

 

He had no problem jumping right into the book even though he didin't use the printing ones. The biggest difference for me was the "look" of it. It's definitely not your usual loopy fancy cursive. It's very bare bones, but I really like the simplicity. As my son commented "It looks like your writing mom" because I actually seem to use a mix of cursive and printing when I write. I also like that it's not a slanted cursive the letters are made straight up and down, my son would really fight the slant in other programs because that's just not "natural" to him. The work he's done in the cursive book this year (we're about half way done) has been wonderful. Next year I'm going to use my startwrite program to print his WWE copywork in the HWOT cursive font so he'll get it in that area instead of in a workbook only. The two line style hasn't been an issue either, he has no trouble using the WWE 1 workbook pages that have 3 lines instead or in using regular lined notebook paper if needed. I actually feel the 2 line paper helped the transition to regular notebook paper to be an easier one.

 

HTH if you have any other questions Fire away!

[Angel]

We jumped into HWOT in 6th grade for my dd. She has fine motor issues (SID). She had been in Christian school through 4th grade and I didn't worry about handwriting in 5th when I brought her home. She had very little problem switching from the cursive/printing she already knew. The cursive book not only helped her cursive writing become legible, but it had a great impact on her printing as well. I think that may be because the cursive is so without frills. We did just a bit each day, and only did that first cursive book, but by the end of the year I was more than pleased. I say go for it!

[RegularMom]

My 8yo has been able to work independently in the HWOT cursive book. She's really enjoying it. I bought the TM but never use it.

[razorbackmama]

We love it. WHEN they write in cursive, my kids (2 boys and a girl so far) all have beautiful handwriting. It's very easy to use, no matter where you're coming from. The only thing I use the TM for is the silly spelling lists.

[Snickerdoodle]

My 7 yo boy has lovely neat cursive and we owe it all to HWOT. He is a complete pencil phobe so it's not like he's a penmanship prodigy or anything. YOu can just jump right in. Don't worry, it's easy peasy and you don't really need the TM if you didn't buy it.

[lorilou]

This is our 1st year using it. I bought the TM, but don't use it! My 8yr old son works on it independently and LOVES it... I think it's the simple explanation of strokes and using terms like "up like a helicopter" with a cute helicopter picture that appeals to him. :) He is developing beautiful, legible handwriting! I wasn't crazy about the font, but the easy and kid-friendly way that they teach the technique drew me in... and I figure that as they progress through the years, their handwriting will take on their own style anyways!