Escribiendo Cursiva Student Workbook Grade 3 (2025)

This 2025 edition retains all the distinctives that make Handwriting Without Tears® a successful curriculum: the unique order of introducing letters (grouped by how they are formed, introduced in a developmentally progressive order, and uniquely named to describe the way they are made—such as “frog jump” or “diver” letters), the required multisensory tools, the periodic review, the double-line paper format, and the practical application in writing activities.

Using these methods, children develop consistent, legible writing while learning to self-monitor and self-correct. Lessons take 10-15 minutes daily. All levels PK through 4th use a consumable student book, a Teacher Guide, and several manipulatives. The program’s unique vertical cursive is introduced in grade 3 with Cursive Handwriting and is used through grade 6. At these upper levels, you’ll need the consumable student book, a Teacher Guide, and the manipulatives of your choice (typically, the blackboard with double lines). Students will write sentences and paragraphs, often involving content from various subjects. The Building Writers books coordinate with this 2025 edition and offer additional writing skill practice at each grade level.

For 2025, changes in the consumable student book include style changes (updated, attractive covers and illustrations with more multicultural representation). One change will aid the introduction of the vowel sounds a, e, i, o, and u by pairing them with more easily recognizable “short” vowel sounds. For example, the letter O is now taught with the word otter. In the previous edition, the letter O was taught with owl, and the sound was affected by the letter w. Other changes affect the student book content and format. For example, students will periodically pause and practice writing letters learned, adding 8 total pages to each level of the student edition. Reading and writing themes have also been revised (see individual books for specifics). This edition provides different line styles for students to practice writing on (the 2-line or 3-line format, and one base line). All of these changes make the 2025 edition not compatible with previous editions.

The updates in the 2025 Teacher Guide make teaching this program much more user-friendly. The leveled Guides provide detailed directions and explanations for using this unique methodology, with a program overview, posture instructions, writing activity ideas, English Learners strategies, and more. The updates are also more visual-friendly. Blue lettering identifies your instructor’s script; icons identify unique tasks like reading, writing, and tech connections (such as keyboarding or notetaking). Note: digital tools such as the IDTT (Interactive Digital Teaching Tool) are available for traditional classrooms only and are truly unnecessary in a small classroom/homeschool situation (for example, a giant smartboard projection of the letter K). The references to these digital tools are clearly identified with a laptop/tablet icon. Also includes Science of Reading and ELA standards correlations.

This curriculum is still built upon intentionally developed manipulatives, particularly for levels PK through grade 2: the Letters to Words Blackboard Set; the 13 wood pieces with mat; the blackboard with double lines; the slate chalkboard with chalk bits; the little sponge cubes; the pencil for little hands; and the songs (available for free on YouTube®). Levels for grades 2 through 4 recommend fewer manipulatives, but particularly highlight the blackboard with double lines. For each level, essential manipulatives are available separately or in grade-level packages with student consumables and the Teacher Guide. Supplementary manipulatives allow you to tailor learning methods specifically to your child and their learning needs. The recommended number and type of multisensory activities vary depending on the level, with more options available at the lower grades. These strategically designed activities include music, letter stories, air writing, feet stomping, and more. You can tailor all activities specifically to your student. ~ Ruth