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
