Peterson Directed Handwriting Review

I was given the opportunity to use and review Peterson Directed Handwriting. This unique program of handwriting uses, what they call, a movement-based strategy. Unlike other handwriting programs that rely on memorization of images that are copied from a visual guide to paper, Peterson relies on muscle memory to learn handwriting. There are four steps involved in the Peterson method:

Step #1: Illustrate and Describe: demonstrate the start point and direction of movement using specified action words

Step #2: Air Writing: form letters in the air using hands, arms, elbows, etc. to create muscle memory. Using the action words, students fall into pace with the chanted instructions.

Step #3: Finger Tracing: trace the letter with fingers while chanting the movements

Step #4: Write and Say: use a pencil to create the letters. Chanting of action words continues in this step.

To begin using the Peterson method, I attended a 1 hour online presentation directed by Rand Nelson. This presentation was to explain the method and deliver the PDF By Hand E-Workbooks for Print Steps 1-3. After introductions, Rand launched into explaining the method and I was immediately lost in technical jargon such as threading, anchoring, muscle memory, goal-orientation, etc. I watched the demonstration but must admit feeling lost. I received the downloaded materials and waited a few weeks before opening and using them. When I opened the files up for the first time, I was expecting to see a layman’s instruction manual that would explain the methodology and technique. But again, you are immediately presented with the same foreign terms of threading, anchoring, grammar of action, etc. Rand had told me that if I had any questions, I could refer to the many presentations available on the website or chat live with him. I visited the website and watched several of the presentations which took about another hour. After watching them, I felt I understood the method and technique.

I am intrigued by the research and believe that the Peterson method does work. Prior to Peterson, my children learned to copy images from a visual cue without memorization of the movement. This resulted in letters started from the bottom rather than the top and/or backwards. Peterson’s method commits the motion of the letters to the brain before a student ever picks up a pencil. Additionally, I think the exaggerated action of forming letters in the air is fun for students and children learn better when they enjoy what they are doing. You are not limited to air writing, you can trace in sand, too! Any large movement that helps to create the muscle memory is beneficial. I really liked the E-Workbook because it allows you to print the workbook pages as many times as you like. Unlike a traditional handwriting workbook, you can review a letter over and over again until you’ve achieved mastery.

The only complaint I have regarding the program is the frustration I felt trying to understand the method and technique. It seems to be geared toward handwriting specialists who are already familiar with the aforementioned technical terms. As a homeschooler, I was not familiar with these terms. I believe this is an obstacle to overcome. If I was shopping for a handwriting program and someone directed me to the Peterson website, I would probably spend about ten minutes there and leave. The website is full of information but is not laid out in a manner that takes the layperson to mastery. It required a lot of digging to understand what I was looking at and what they were offering. I did this because I was asked to use and review the product as part of the Homeschool Crew. As a homeschooling mom with limited time, I doubt I would take the time to understand this product. If I had struggling writers and someone recommended the program to me, perhaps I would, but if I were just shopping for a handwriting program, I would probably pass this one over.

Pros: I think it is a great product. I believe in the research and technique and that it provides a creative and interesting approach for student and teacher. I like the E-Workbook format and the price of $19.95 is quite affordable. Customer support is a click away and Rand is a nice guy to work with.

Cons: The instruction manual does not impart a basic understanding of the product for homeschooling moms. The website is confusing to navigate when you are new to the product and unsure of what you are looking for.

Summary: I would recommend the product and suggest that you rely heavily on the website materials and Rand Nelson for your initial support.

Review of The Schoolhouse Planner's June 2010 Module Travel the World!

Fasten your seat belts as you prepare for a trip around the world in The Schoolhouse Planner’s June 2010 module entitled Travel the World! This high-tech, geography-themed unit study is chock-full of facts, maps, pictures, puzzles, lapbooking activities, lesson expanders, on-line activities, and more!

As part of the 2010-11 Homeschool Crew, I was given the opportunity to use and review this product with my first and fourth graders, ages five and eight. I read through the entire module first and printed out the worksheets located at the end of the PDF file. The only items I found necessary to have available were a computer with Internet access, globe and map. We gathered around the computer and began the lesson. I immediately appreciated that the study was written so that I could read directly to my children without rephrasing. This saved a lot of time! As we read, we could click on links that took us to the Internet for visual aids, interactive maps, and games. This mixed media approach proved interesting to the kids and they really enjoyed taking control of the mouse and driving for awhile! I found that the content of PDF file was basic enough for elementary aged children to understand and that the hyperlinks took you to more in-depth information. We visited all of the hyperlinks and reviewed the information; however, some of it was more advanced than they were capable of understanding. So, I refrained from covering some of the material because I knew I would lose them. That is not to say that this module was not age appropriate because we could easily spend weeks exploring all of the material offered. The beauty of this module is that it can be adjusted to suit all age groups while still providing a wealth of information. It even includes a special high school expansion section which we did not use.

Through using this module, we learned about the earth’s form and movements. We studied the continents, bodies of water, mountain ranges and other important areas of geographic interest. We learned mapping skills and were offered lots of review opportunities through games, worksheets, coloring, and puzzles. The lapbook activity provides you with a finished product to display.

Pros: Travel the World! Is an e-book that can be purchased and downloaded immediately from the Schoolhouse Store for only $7.95. There is a tremendous amount of information included in this unit study and it is laid out in a clear and concise way. It can be simplified or expanded based on the age of the children and the time you are willing to devote to it. It is very flexible! The mixed media approach is interesting to both teacher and student. I found all of the hyperlinks relevant and available.

Cons: I honestly don’t have any!

Summary: An interesting and affordable geography study for computer-savvy homeschoolers!

Travel the World is just one of 12 supplemental monthly modules available from the Schoolhouse Store and can be purchased together as a group for $83.95 or individually for $7.95. I was given this product for free in exchange for my objective review.

Review of The Old Schoolhouse’s WannaBe Series, When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a Firefighter

I was given the opportunity to review The Old Schoolhouse's product entitled When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a Firefighter. It is one of ten titles offered in their WannaBe series of unit studies.

I used this product with my children whose ages are five and eight. In this unit study, we learned about the history of firefighting and the development of equipment. From the days of the bucket brigades up to the use of spiderbots to detect and fight fires, we were fascinated to learn the evolution of firefighting. The requirements to become a firefighter are discussed in detail along with life at a firehouse. My children think that the life of a fireman is exciting but were surprised to find that it has its share of normalcy. Fireman cook meals, clean toilets and make their beds at the firehouse just like we do at home. We learned about firefighters' salaries and how they vary depending on location, rank and years of experience. We especially enjoyed reading about the origin and use of firehouse dogs. We learned about the reasoning for and importance of building codes. There was also an extensive section on the origin of robotics and how that relates to modern day firefighting.

There were ample opportunities to review the information contained through Q & A, word finds, crossword puzzles, fill in the blank, copywork and storytelling. I really enjoyed the story starters that prompted the kids to think about a situation and write about what they thought or how they would handle it. Unit studies are designed to cover an array of educational subjects while relating to a theme and this study really does a bang up job of doing that. We covered math, reading, writing, creative thinking, history, science, art, health, physical education, home economics...I don't think anything was excluded. The use of graphs, charts, and word problems made the worksheet portions interesting.

Overall, I think this product does a thorough job of relating the subject of firefighting and does so in an interesting and entertaining way. The only complaint I have is that the language was unnecessarily advanced for the target ages of 4-10. Using words like dwelling instead of house, apparatus instead of firetruck...competent, evacuate, rouse, etc. required me to stop every other sentence and explain what they were talking about and disrupted the flow of reading. While there were important new vocabulary words to learn as part of the study, this was more of a problem of using a "big" word when a "little" word would be more appropriate.

This product is available for immediate download from The Old Schoolhouse website for $8.95.

Review of The Old Schoolhouse’s Download N Go Expedition Australia

Review of The Old Schoolhouse’s Download N’ Go Expedition Australia

As part of tryouts for the Homeschool Crew, we were offered the opportunity to use and review The Old Schoolhouse’s Download N Go Series product entitled Expedition Australia. The Download N Go series combines thematic unit studies with lapbooking to provide a fun and complete hands-on learning experience.

Expedition Australia was designed for grades K-4 and is used over a five day period. Prior to beginning the unit study, we visited our local library to borrow books suggested from the reading list. While a couple of them were not available, we found ample age appropriate substitutes. Additional items needed for the lapbook portion are file folders, brads, glue sticks and crayons. While it is not suggested, I chose to use cardstock for the lapbook projects as it is more durable than regular paper.

The days are broken down as follows:

Day 1: Where on Earth Is Australia?

Day 2: Some of the Special Places in Australia

Day 3: A Bit of Australian History

Day 4: Cool Things to Know About Australia

Day 5: Fun and Games in Australia

Each day provides a location to study, geographic feature, indigenous animal, Australian word and a historical point. Mediums suggested for study are books, online videos and websites along with worksheets contained in the document. The information is broken down into small study periods followed by a worksheet or lapbook activity. There is a fair amount of repetition within the material which aids memorization.

I used this product with my children who are in grades K and 3. We began the unit study, by learning about continents. Continents were defined and then labeled on a world map along with a list view to be inserted into the lapbook. A color-coded map was also used to visualize the division of the continents. We studied the Great Barrier Reef and the animals that live there. We began a map of Australia where we labeled major cities and geographic locations throughout the week. Lastly, we took an in-depth look at koalas. On day two, we learned about the six states and regions of Australia. Ayers Rock was presented as a unique geographic feature and the animal of the day was the kangaroo. Days 3 and 4 covered history, flags, wombats and platypuses. On day 5, we learned about the outback, boomerangs, Tasmanian devils and national anthems. A discussion of our favorite topics over the five days provided an opportunity to review what was learned.

The unit study is peppered with poetry, additional facts to explorer and supplemental books and links. Learning Australian words along with their pronunciation provided fun opportunities to speak like a real Aussie throughout the week!

Pros: This was a thorough study of the country considering its target audience and timeframe. The cost is very reasonable at $7.95 and it is available via immediate download. I liked the mix of traditional and digital materials used throughout the study. Hyperlinks within the document take you directly to the worksheet or URL needed so you don’t have to search to find what you need. I thought the jockeying back and forth between teaching and hands-on activities was perfect for this age group. It kept things moving along and interesting. The lapbook provides a finished product of what you have learned and can be included with your portfolio and as a cherished keepsake.

Cons: There was a fair amount of writing that was sometimes frustrating for my five year old. Some of the websites contained information that was beyond the target age group and required me to simplify it for my children. There were a few technical glitches such as hyperlinks within the document that didn’t work and one external link to a website that was no longer available. Some of the items used in the lapbook did not line up or fold properly. A veteran lapbooker will have no problem fixing these but a novice might be confused. A final layout of the lapbook was not included and would have been helpful. None of these are showstoppers but I felt obligated to include this as part of my review.

Overall, I thought it was a great product and well worth the time and investment.