A Reason for Handwriting

by Judi
(Colorado)

A Reason for Handwriting is a handwriting curriculum that puts handwriting in the context of actual writing!

Levels Used: Manuscript and cursive and transitional

Dates Used: 2006-2009

Likes: This is a great curriculum for teaching handwriting. All the letters are covered in sequence so the student learns the individual letters but then progresses to writing Bible verses. Not only are the children learning how to write, they are also learning Scripture as they copy the passages. This also helps in spelling as they need to copy what is written.

Our one son just hated handwriting because he saw no point in just writing a bunch of words. But when we switched to this curriculum I heard no more complaints. We have also used the verses they have copied on to the nice background pages to put in our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes at Christmas.

Dislikes: I would prefer the manuscript method to be precursive as I feel that method helps the child easily transition to cursive.

My Son is Showing Improvement

by Terri
(Tennessee)

Levels Used: A
Dates Used: August 2009- present

Likes: I love that my son's handwriting has shown lots of improvement since starting this book. I really love that the lessons include Bible verses. My son seems to be looking forward to making people gifts from the border sheets provided.

Dislikes: I'm not sure whether I'm looking for something that just doesn't exist, but this book is really not for my son. He doesn't like to sit still for very long, and for some reason, he begs to do this work last. He cries and complains of tummy aches and takes forever to complete just one lesson.

Good, But Doesn't Teach Technique

by Bridget
(Connellsville, PA, USA)

Levels Used: K , A (1st), B (2nd)
Dates Used: 2006-2009

Likes: My son loved the K book. You practice a letter and then color a picture that starts with that letter. My daughter liked A and B levels. She loved coloring and writing out border sheets. I liked the bible verse that goes along with each lesson.

Dislikes: I don't feel that my children learned handwriting techniques as well with this program.

Enjoyed these books for many years!

by Jana
(Woodinville WA USA)

Dates Used: '07-'08, '08-'09

Likes: I grew up being homeschooled and used this series some 18 years ago. It's still around today and has been revised a few times. It was fun to be able to use a book with my kids that I learned out of.

The teaching section utilizes the illustration of a tree house. Most letters use the main floor, some go up into the attic, and some go down the ladder. It's very easy to remind them "That one goes down the ladder" and they know which direction to take their stroke. My kids liked the border pages where they could use their best writing and make pictures and verse for Grandma after practicing all week long.

Dislikes: We did have trouble with the concept of transferring learning out of the handwriting book and into other areas of work.

No Complaints!

by Sally
(Georgtown, TX)

We have used A Reason for Handwriting for the past 3 years. We have used levels C,D,E and F. They are short lessons based solely on scripture. I love how it emphasizes a scripture each week - we also use that scripture for our memorization each week. The words are challenging and yet doable. The cursive lessons are perfect for my boys - short but challenging. I have never had a complaint - that makes mom happy.