Writing For Learning Series (Formerly Universal Handwriting 2nd Edition)

Description

Formerly the 2nd edition of Universal Publishing Handwriting, this series has been relaunched as "Writing for Learning." These straightforward, no-nonsense handwriting workbooks are 8.5" x 11" with the first seven in landscape format. The series consists of 11 books, designed to help students all the way from learning the basic strokes to mastering cursive. Books feature color covers, but are black-and-white inside.Reading/Writing Readiness gets students ready to write by engaging them in a series of prewriting activities including tracing and drawing lines (up and down, left to right, and slanted), tracing and drawing shapes, matching letters, numbers and shapes, coloring, and completing mazes. In the PK/K level, children are ready to learn how to write their manuscript letters from Aa to Zz. Many pages also offer an activity such as a matching or maze exercise. Thegrades K and 1 levels feature slightly smaller writing lines and review all of the manuscript letters A-Z and guide students toward writing short words and sentences. Students begin the transition to cursive in book M/C (2nd grade). The first part of this book reviews manuscript. Students then learn the additional strokes for cursive and the cursive alphabet, practicing individual letters and short sentences. The third grade book is similar to the cursive part of the transition book, offering review of each cursive letter with individual letters, words, and sentences.

The last four books in the series are portrait format and feature smaller lines. These continue offering cursive practice, with most pages progressing from letter practice to word practice to practice writing a sentence or a paragraph. The sentences and paragraphs to copy are always very educationally-focused, including facts about plants and animals, tidbits on geographical places and famous people, and other interesting pieces of information. Between practice on individual letters, there are occasionally opportunities to practice "real-life" writing, such as writing an address on a postcard or filling out a job application form. Overall, a solid choice for learning traditional style handwriting that offers plenty of cursive enrichment. 80 pages each, pb. - Melissa

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.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.