HWT Level K Schedule

The LA K IG schedule for HWT will match the order in which we teach letter sounds.

Remedial handwriting for older students: Can-Do Cursive is designed for 5th graders or older students at all cursive levels -- from those who write cursive easily to those who know just a little. (from the introduction to the Can-Do Cursive book) 09.03.14

Handwriting Without Tears K (05.02.13)

We have recently begun to sell the 2013 edition of Handwriting Without Tears Teacher's Guide and Letters and Numbers for Me. Corrected schedule available on Curriculum Updates page to replace the schedule in the LA K IG.

HWT Edition change (4.2.13)

We are now carrying the 2013 edition of HWT K-4.

PreK HWT (7.11.12)

We began selling the newest edition of the HWT PreK on 4/1/12. The web site has been updated to reflect this change.

Edition of HWT

We are currently selling the 2008 edition of HWT. Apparently there is a 2009 edition being sold only in some parts of the country. It is exactly identical to the 2008 edition. (8.2.11)

PreK Handwriting

Sample pages of Get Set for School

Teaching Guidelines/Schedules (9.8.09)

  • While HWT does not provide a formal schedule, they do offer pdf files titled "Teaching Guidelines" on the Classroom Guidelines page of their website. These are 18-week "grids" that suggest pacing of materials. This page also includes "Curriculum Overviews" that customers may find helpful. These downloads are free.
  • In the back of the teacher's guide there are several suggested schedules to choose from as well.

Capital Letter Wood Pieces

Kit contents (26 pieces):

  • 8 long lines (10" x 1:)
  • 4 medium lines (7.5" x 1")
  • 6 little lines (5" x 1")
  • 4 little curves
  • 4 large curves
  • Product Photo

(This 26 piece set will make 2 of each letter at the same time) (9.22.08)

HWT Manipulatives

  • After reviewing the additional HWT manipulatives available, we have decided we will not carry any beyond what we already offer. We currently offer:
    • KL173 - Slate chalkboard with chalk and sponge
    • KL174 - Lined paper
    • KL175 - Capital letter wood pieces
    • KL176 - Mat for wood pieces
    • KL177 - Capital Letter Cards for wood pieces (added 9.15.09)
  • We will add a comment to both PTB and KTB to inform customers of these manipulatives and to explain our thoughts about this. (text to be included here once it is written)
  • We will add the manipulatives we do carry (KL173, KL174, KL175 and KL176) as optional to PL04 and PL03 on the web only.
    (7.9.08)

The following statement will be added to our 2009 LA IGs regarding HWT Manipulatives:
Should you choose to use the Handwriting Without Tears program for handwriting, there are many supplemental manipulatives available. You may purchase the slate chalkboard with chalk and sponge (Item #KL173), the lined paper for approx. levels K-1 (Item #KL174), the capital letter wood pieces (Item #KL175), and the mat for the wood pieces (Item #KL176) from Sonlight. Additional materials may be found on the publisher’s website, www.hwtears.com. Sonlight has chosen to carry only those manipulatives we believe provide worthwhile activities for a good value. (10.3.08)

PreK and K Teacher's Guide and Manipulatives (copyright 2008)

The PreK Teacher's Guide and K Teacher's Guide list a variety of manipulatives that can be used for a multi-sensory approach to teaching handwriting (pg. 5). We do not, however, believe all the manipulatives are necessary for using this program. Any more than the easel, child-sized chairs and table that are mentioned (pg. 4) are required. The book lists the following manipulatives to use:

  • Mat Man - can be built using the capital letter wood pieces (KL175) and a mat created from poster board or contruction paper.
    • Pg 50 of the guide includes patterns for cutting out his hand, hair, nose, eyebrow, eyes and belly button.
    • The Mat Man Shapes book is recommended on pg 51. It basically includes 12 different mat man shapes that can be created with the wood pieces and patterns. Also includes a story and activities (coloring pages of mat man) at the back of the book. 8 of the mat man shapes are shown on pg 51 of the Teacher's Guide.
      NOTE: Nice supplemental book but is not required for teaching handwriting. We already carry both the Developing the Early Learner series and pattern block kits which will accomplish the same.
  • PreK Wall Cards - designed for classroom use (we do not carry)
  • Get Set for School Sing Along CD - nice supplement, but not necessary for teaching readiness skills (recommend DEL series). The lyrics for many of these songs are included in the Teacher's Guide so could be used as a poem/rhyme. (we do not carry)
  • Capital Letter Wood pieces, Capital letter cards & Mat - we carry the capital letter wood pieces (KL175) and mat (KL176). The capital letter cards are simply large flash cards with letter outlines to fill in with the wood pieces. If parents feel this manipulative would be beneficial to their child, they can easily be recreated by using construction paper and tracing around the capital letter pieces to mimic the cards shown in the Teacher's Guide. (we do not carry)
  • Roll-a-Dough Letters & Stamp and See Screen - (we do not carry)
    • Roll-a-Dough Letters can be reproduced by using play-doh to create the letter shapes on the homemade capital letter cards.
    • Stamp and See Screen - nice supplemental tool (similar to an etch-a-sketch), but not required.
  • Slate & Blackboard with double lines - we do carry the slate (KL173). The blackboard is primarily a classroom tool.
  • FLIP Crayons - 206 double-sided crayons in a plastic tub (pricey). Most homeschools already own crayons. These are not required. (we do not carry)
  • Magic C Bunny - puppet. Primarily designed for classroom use. (we do not carry)
  • Pencils for Little Hands - golf-size pencils. (we do not carry)

NOTE: We believe we carry sufficient manipulatives for teaching children to write. The PreK Teacher's Guide and K Teacher's Guide include ideas/patterns for making your own additional manipulatives. As noted above, many of the other manipulatives offered by HWT are pricey and not necessary for teaching handwriting. (9.22.08)

Handwriting 5 package (HW5)

Change to HW5 package - we will remove the Grade 3 Teacher's Guide (3L191) from this package as 5L172 specifically states that no teacher's guide is needed. (5.6.08)

  • HWT Can Do Cursive FAQ.doc added 5.5.08
  • Can Do Cursive details same as FAQ just on wiki page instead of downloadable document added 5.5.08
  • 2008 catalog: This package bundles Can-Do Cursive (5L172) with the Grade 3 Teacher's Guide (3L191). There is no Grade 5 Teacher's Guide. The reasoning behind using the Grade 3 guide is because 5L172 is designed for students who are struggling with, or need extra practice in, cursive technique. The Grade 3 Teacher's Guide covers the basics of cursive as well as helping teachers to identify and overcome problems. (3.7.08) See 5.6.08 note above for more recent info as seen on website.

Handwriting Without Tears New Editions:

  • KL171 (Teacher's Guide Gr K) and KL172 (Letters & Numberes for Me) now selling from our warehouse (2.25.08)
  • 1L171 (Teacher's Guide Gr 1) and 1L172 (My Printing Book) now selling from our warehouse (2.25.08)
  • 2L171 (Teacher's Guide Gr 2) and 2L172 (Printing Power) now selling from our warehouse (2.25.08)
  • 3L191 (Teacher's Guide Gr 3) and 3L192 (Cursive Handwriting) now selling from our warehouse (2.25.08)
  • 4L171 (Teacher's Guide Gr 4) and 4L172 (Cursive Success) now selling from our warehouse (2.25.08)

(updated 2.29.08)

  • 1.16.08 Handwriting Without Tears has released a new edition of product numbers KL171, KL172, PL03, PL04, 1L171, 1L172, 2L172, 3L191, 3L192, and 4L172. As we sell out of our existing stock, we will begin selling these new editions. The web site will be updated to reflect the revised edition. The change will probably occur in February and March.
  • Because the new editions were significantly updated/revised, using the old teacher's editions with the new edition of the student workbooks may require significant modification on the part of the teacher/parent.

Slate used with HWT (item KL173)updated 10.19.07

Slate (KL173) size is 5 x 7" (2007 version is bigger than the old one.

Earlier this year comptetitive pricing led us to purchase the chalkboard utilized in HWT Level K from another vendor. Unfortunately, we neglected to realize that it was missing the smiley face in the upper left corner that is utilized in the program. We will send a smiley face sticker along with a $2 coupon to those customers who are lacking. We have also affixed the smiley sticker to our remaining stock of chalkboards. We will also be lowering the price from our current $8.25. (8.6.07) [IF YOU HEAR ANY COMMENTS/COMPLAINTS ABOUT OUR SLATE, THE STICKER, THE DIFFERENCE FROM THE HWT SLATE, forward the ticket to the CA.]

A few tips on describing HWT.

HWT is not a 'font' as much as it is a different, better way of learning HOW to write. Though some cursive styles have a 'name', HWT's style is a simple, clean, vertical style that, once the student has learned HOW to form the letters correctly, the student will be able to adapt to their own style. The important thing is learning correct formation habits. The end goal is a neat, consistent, fast hand - the style can be the student's own. This is very different from teaching a style with a name, such as d'Nealian (does anyone really even know what d'nealian is?). So, when you are describing HWT to a customer, focus more on the format - learning HOW to write.

If you need to know more please visit HWT's website for your own education (not to refer the customer to their site): http://www.hwtears.com

I think it is good to emphasize that it was developed by an occupational therapist to work with a childs small muscle coordiation in a developmentally appropriate way, and that it is a great program for all children, and especially with children that are left handed, have small muscle coordination issues or dyslexia issues as well.

HWT Wooden Manipulative

If a customer purchases the "Wooden Manipulative" the teachers guide will refer to "Capital Letter Cards" that can go along with them. We do not have those available personally, so if a customer is interested in buying them they can call Handwriting Without Tears at: (301) 263-2700.

The wooden pieces are a selection of 12 inch straight (like a ruler), 6 inch straight, large curve (like a big C), and small curve (like the curve of a lower case b). Kindergarten students use them to build letters and trace letters before they switch to the chalk and 'wet, dry, try' method.

Wet, Dry, Try Method

The parent writes the letter on the chalkboard. There is a smiley face burned into the upper left corner - where you start most letters. The child takes a small sponge and wets the pattern of the letter, then takes a small piece of paper towel and 'dries' the pattern. Finally they they take the piece of chalk and 'try' the letter themselves.

HWT Teacher's Guide references Letter Cards, are they necessary? Why doesn't SL offer these?

Letter cards are not necessarily part of the program - think classroom size cards teachers would put up around a chalkboard. SL does not offer them. She could order the desk strips - and if she purchased a core, free shipping, 10% off. Put these strips on the back of the child's binder and set that in front of them on the table when they do any writing.