New American Cursive

Description

Handwriting with a bit of a different approach will teach your child cursive skills beginning in first grade. There are fewer strokes, a natural right slant, and the strokes are simplified. The philosophy is that students have the motor skills to write cursive at the first grade level, and when we wait to teach them at about third grade, they literally go back to the speed of first grade writing as they transition from print to cursive.

Each book includes a 7-page teaching guide, followed by instruction and exercises, illustrations and practice sheets with quotes and Bible verses (a secular version of Book II uses quotes from famous Americans in lieu of Bible verses). Book II and III also include handwriting evaluations, review of paper placement and pencil position, review of letter and number formations, and progress reports and test pages. The books have an uncluttered, visual appeal with uncramped space to practice. Since the books are intended for elementary grades, the spacing is very important.

'Mr. Meerkat' guides your child through each book as he shows the way to draw each letter and encourages creativity. Before the 1940s, children were taught cursive in the first grade. This course provides the opportunity to use this simple technique to bring back the art of handwriting. - Donna

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.