Handwriting Without Tears is a unique handwriting program
that is truly multisensory! The 2022 Edition of Handwriting Without Tears is
beneficial for all children, but the interactive, tactile approach is
especially effective for children who struggle with motor skills. It has also
been shown to be helpful for left-handed learners. Unique to this program, the practice
pages use a two-horizontal-line format rather than the three-horizontal-line
format typically found in writing programs. The manuscript letters are formed
using a simple single stroke, including the cursive letters, which are taught
without a typical slant. Teaching and practice sessions are short (10-15
minutes), without a lot of meaningless busy work. Handwriting Without Tears
2022 begins at the preschool/pre-kindergarten level and offers instruction
through cursive in Grade 4. Older students who haven’t mastered handwriting may
benefit from the Can-Do Print and Can-Do Cursive, which offer additional
practice for grades 5-8. Each level of the 2022 Edition of Handwriting Without
Tears consists of a Workbook and Teacher Guide. Manipulatives are
required in the early levels, and multiple options are available to meet your
individual needs.
The unique methodology makes the Teacher Guides highly
valuable, especially for parents teaching younger children or an older
struggling student. Along with guidance for the manipulatives, the Teacher
Guides include teaching information, additional multisensory activity
suggestions, remediation tips, strategies for English Language Learners and children
with special needs, and cross-curricular suggestions. There is a 30-day trial
of the publisher’s HITT (Handwriting Interactive Teaching Tools) with purchase
of the Teacher Guide. These tools appear to be limited to schools and are an
additional cost. While this online
support may be helpful, it is certainly not necessary to use this excellent
program effectively. Suggested manipulatives are listed with the recommended
grade level, and the grade-level Teacher Guide effectively explains the
manipulatives.
Consumable Student Workbooks have horizontal pages in
Kindergarten through Grade 2. Grade 3 and up offer vertical pages. Beginning in
Grade 1, basic grade-appropriate language arts skills are included throughout
the lessons. Student Packages contain the grade-level Student Workbook,
Building Writers, and the Handwriting Without Tears Journal. The Writing
Journals offer an additional writing practice space with the distinctive Handwriting
Without Tears line spacing. Building Writers also uses distinctive
Handwriting Without Tears spacing and gives students structured, grade-level
practice in core writing skills.
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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.
