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Maggie
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| Posted: Aug 05 2009 at 3:43pm | IP Logged
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Has anyone used the "Writing Can Help" book A series by Marie Picard? This is in the Kindergarten Curriculum by MODG.
Any reviews? Comparisons to Zaner-Bloser or D'Nealean?
Thank you!
Maggie
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Becky Parker
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I hope you get some reviews Maggie. I don't use this series for K because I'm afraid it's going to be too difficult. This is based only on the book I bought for an older child where I felt the lines for writing were way too small and the font too difficult. The K book might start out more gently though. Sorry I can't be of more help.
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Becky
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Bethany
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| Posted: Aug 06 2009 at 9:03am | IP Logged
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Maggie,
I just started using the K book with my 5 yo (6 in Oct.). The lines and font are large enough and the MODG plans are gentle enough for her. They say to only do one or two letters, not letter after letter. It's different in that you immediately start writing words, which I found strange at first, but I think it may help in keeping her attention. That's probably more fun than writing the same letter over and over.
Each page has the upper-case letter, then a word using the upper-case letter, lower-case letter and finally a word using the lower-case letter. With MODG you completer one page per week. The lessons are very short.
I used CHC Letter Practice for Little Folks with my oldest and after just a few weeks I could see it was a problem for her. It has kind of a bubble type and she would bounce back and forth between the lines. We stopped after that and just used some pages I printed off the internet.
Hope this helps, if you have any other questions about it just ask  .
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Maggie
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| Posted: Aug 06 2009 at 9:25am | IP Logged
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Hi Moms~
I think I am looking for something really gentle. My dd is 4...but she has been writing letters on her own for about a year...but she forms them incorrectly and has a terrible hold on her pencil (I need grips, I think)...that I really want to start teaching her how to do all this properly so that she doesn't form bad habits that are difficult for her to fix, kwim?
I have a super cute wipe-board book that I bought at a thrift store months ago that she found. It only has numbers...but she LOVES to trace them and then to write them.
But I need something that actually TEACHES her how to do this in a way she can understand.
I know people like HWT, but I am having a hard time with this one since it is so expensive...
So...what is it I am looking for?
I am most afraid of buying all these things that to try them...only to find they don't work (possibly--again, just a fear)...since money is tight. kwim?
God Bless,
Maggie
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Tami
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Maggie, why don't you just buy her a grip for when she's using a pencil? That will work on her grip right away.
At her young age (and she is really young!) I would use large sheets of newsprint and perhaps some block crayons. They will help her with her grip, as will really small pieces of regular crayon, I believe.
As for expense, why not get just the TM to HWT? Then you can demonstrate technique to her - you will have to teach her this, though. And you can replicate some of the materials yourself, inexpensively.
But really, she's soooo young, I wouldn't stress too much at this point. Eventually, when it becomes more of an issue (gr. K and 1) I would talk to her about proper form, how her hand may hurt if she does it some ways, etc. But that would be a bit down the road...
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God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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Bethany
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Maggie,
I agree with Tami, since she's so young I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you just want her to learn the correct formation of block style letters, I think all you may need you be the lined paper from the store. You would be able to show her correct letter formation.
Also, my 5yo is using a triangular pencil that is thicker than a standard pencil. It helps with her grip and has a thicker point
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Bethany
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ekbell
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You can see samples for the Writing can help book here
Writing Can Help Book A
The sample pages have should be enough to get a good idea of what the book is like. It's very simple, gives ideas for Alphabet activities and printing practice pages but doesn't give writing practice.
I just purchased a PDF of alphabet flash cards from here (Teacher Sized Alphabet Cards ) which have suggestions for hand motions, simple explanations and activities to help young children form letters correctly. They look like fun and currently are on sale for $6.27.
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Maggie
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Ooh! Those Alphabet Cards are cute!
When you say PDF (bear with me)...does that mean you download, print, and laminate them yourself?
Thank you for the idea...
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Tami
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Coming back to add that I took a look at the sample pages. Judging by the line spacing and the quick movement through the alphabet, I wouldn't use this book before kindergarten. Even at that, I might wait half a year or more before introducing lined paper (really, developmentally, that's more appropriate for fall of 1st grade).
Hope this helps, Maggie.
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God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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ekbell
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When you say PDF (bear with me)...does that mean you download, print, and laminate them yourself?
That's right.
You can also buy the Alphabet Cards pre-done from this site Child 1st
I like the quick ability to replace battered cards using a PDF as I've a paper consuming one year old in the house plus card scattering three year old.
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blairb4
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I have had success using Handwriting Without Tears for the early grades. I also just saw a great link to a post about pencil grip. I'll link it for you!
Holding a Pencil
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myblessings
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We used this last year and liked it. It does take things very slowly, which would probably be good since your daughter is so young.
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Alcat
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I have used HWT for all my kids. It isnt expensive at all- you don't need all that extra stuff they sell, just the work book. The slate is nice, but you can buy one at Walmart in the craft section. At one time I had made the "wood peices" out of craft foam- my kids never used them.
Blessings,
Alison
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Writing Can Help-MODG
