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We Write to Read Review by Tina Rice
Home School Handwriting Kit, Complete Version Grade TwoPeterson Directed Handwriting
1-800-541-NEAT
315 South Maple Avenue
Greensburg, PA 15601-3265
http://www.peterson-handwriting.com/
Peterson Directed Handwriting, Home School Handwriting Kit, is a complete handwriting curriculum. It comes with the teacher's manual, student workbook, pencils, audio CD, book placement positioners, animated letter cards, and complete directions for use. The product we used was the grade two kit and I used it with my 8 year old son.
To use Peterson Directed Handwriting you will need to schedule between 5 and 15 minutes per day, Monday through Friday, to work with your student. This is not a program you just hand over to your student and expect them to do it on your own.
I have used a variety of handwriting curriculums over my 15 years of homeschooling and Peterson Directed Handwriting is the most teacher labor intensive. This is not a negative point, but one that a parent should consider carefully before purchase. I will say it again, if you don't want to TEACH handwriting, buy another program.
The hallmark of Peterson Handwriting is teaching fluent movement. Students finger trace, air write, and then take pencil to paper. This way of teaching leads to muscle memory and correct performance on daily work.
I like the legibility of Peterson Cursive. It is what many would call elegant. It is also easy to read. I really enjoyed the science behind the Peterson program. Their website has a lot of information on why students should be taught handwriting, and how handwriting instruction correlates with reading skill.
My 8 year old son loved the look of Peterson Handwriting. Initially he balked at the lessons. He told me boys shouldn't have to learn this stuff. I pressed on and feel that the muscle training was very helpful.
This said, would I recommend Peterson Directed Handwriting? Yes and no. To an ultra busy mom who is struggling to teach the basics of reading and math, I would suggest something less teacher intensive. To the family who is looking to teach the age old tradition of a fine and elegant style of writing I would recommend Peterson Directed Handwriting.
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