Copywork & Handwriting

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When teaching penmanship, basic grammar, spelling, literature, accuracy, punctuation, vocabulary, sentence structure, attention to detail, and memory skills copywork and handwriting books are a great resource.  There are many different curricula available for such things but you want to make sure they are books of substance?  We do not want to just have busy work. When trying to instill godly character in our children it is important to use a curriculum that addresses those needs as well.  I have several listed here that you may want to look into.  We have used several ourselves!

A Reason for Writing has been around for a long time.   They offer curriculum for grades K-6th.  All of the lessons are based on scripture verses.  Along with learning good penmanship children are memorizing and sharing the Word of God.

Memoria Press has a little bit of a different approach.  Their books not only contain scripture but also classic poetry, literature selections, Latin sayings, and hymns.  They also have a great explanation on their website of the benefits of copywork.  They offer a primary set consisting of three books, a cursive book, as well as a composition and sketch book.

Veritas Press has a handwriting series entitled Classically Cursive.  There are four books in this series.  These reproducible books originated by the folks at Logos School are all you need to teach cursive handwriting.  These books use scripture and the catechism.  The four books are entitled, “Bible Primer, Ten Commandments, Shorter Catechism, and The Attributes of God.”

Last but not least are the Journibles.  These are actually designed for older teens and adults.  Yes, we adults can benefit too!  I am very excited about these and am looking forward to investing in some for myself.  Here is a description from the website on these books.

Each book is organized so that you can write out your very own copy of Scripture. You will be writing the Bible text only on the right hand page of the book. This should make for easier writing and also allows ample space on the left page to write your own notes and comments. From time to time a question or word will be lightly printed on the left page; these questions are to aid in further study, but should not interfere with your own notes and comments.

So there you go!  Several great resources for meeting the needs of handwriting and copywork but also attending to our spiritual needs.  Do you have any other great resources for this?  Have you used any of these?  Which are your favorite?  I would love for you to share!

1,000th Post Giveaway

I cannot believe that I have hit the one thousand mark. To celebrate this milestone I am having a giveaway because what other way is there to celebrate, right? I will only be running the giveaway for 5 days and the opportunity for entering will end at midnight (Monday) December 7th, ALASKA time. The winner will be announced on December 8th. The giveaway includes 5 different titles. They are listed below with photos of exactly what you will receive.

Full package includes:

• Considering God’s Creation Set

• Children Just Like Me

• Missionary Stories with the Millers

• Heaven’s Heroes

• Marvels of Creation – Magnificent Mammals

Now the rules: There are several ways to enter.  You can have just one entry or up to four.

1. Leave a comment here mentioning what you like most about this blog (1 entry) if you do any of the following for additional entries please let me know in your comment.
2. Subscribe and become a follower of this blog (1 entry).
3. Blog about this contest and link our blog on it – and don’t forget to give us the link below in the comments! (1 entries)
4. Add a badge (found on the link buttons page) to your blog and post a link in the comments below (1 entries).
5. Existing followers and those who already display a badge count as entries, as long as you post a comment (with link if applicable) to let me know!

Not for additional entries but I would be thrilled if you would consider tweeting this giveaway and any other blog entries by using the tweet buttons at the bottom of each blog post!  Thank you and good luck on the giveaway!

Hundreds of Free Homeschool Downloads

CurrClick.com has hundreds of homeschool downloads available for free today. Go here to check out the list of all their Black Friday Freebies.

Our Daily Devotional

I have mentioned on several occasions that we begin our school days with a daily devotional.  This has changed forms over the years.  One year we went through the Proverbs cycling through one a day each day of the month.  One year we went through the Psalms.  One year we went straight through memorizing the catechism.  We would alternate year after year.  This past year I found something new and am loving it!   Rather than just memorizing the catechism (as important as that is) and just reading through the scriptures (as primary in importance as that is) we are now doing both at the same time.

Training Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade is an excellent resource that I would recommend to any and every family.  Catechism is one of the best methods of teaching what we believe our children. The devotions are based on the Westminster Catechism and provides a great way of studying sound Christian doctrine.  This book provides approximately two years worth of daily study.  It covers each of the 107 catechism questions.  A new question is covered each week which provides plenty of time for memorization and plenty of time for study.  There are six daily devotions per question, all with Scripture readings pertinent to the question so you can explore how God’s Word answers that question.  This tool can be used for all ages.  The devotionals only take minutes if you have very young children or you can dig deeper and expound upon them. There is great opportunity for discussion.

This is a very practical tool which will guide you through the scriptures to answer, teach, and explain the doctrines of the Christian faith to your children using the form and questions of the catechism.

2009 Iditarod, Nature’s Fury

Yesterday our family FINALLY went to visit the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla.  There is not a lot there but it was a fun trip.  We also were there in the off-season so no sled dog rides for us but we will go back again.  We watched a short 20 minute video which had a lot of clips from this past race.  I had already seen most of them from following the race as an insider earlier this year.  I bought a few things in the gift shop, looked at the trophies and records, as well as a few of the famous sled dogs (stuffed & mounted).

I came home to watch the video I purchased, 2009 Iditarod, Nature’s Fury.  It was a great video journaling the race from this earlier this year.  It was neat to watch and be able to say, “Hey! I was there!!”   I do not know what it is about the Iditarod that I love so much!  My hubby makes fun of me but I really do have a love of sled dog races!  That love was again sparked from our visit.  Maybe it is the beauty of Alaska, maybe it is the love for this great state that you hear and see in the mushers, maybe it is the determination and dedication displayed, maybe it is the kindness amongst the competition, I am not sure.  One of the mushers on the video said something along the lines of, “God is evident out here, I would be sick inside if I was home watching the news rather than running my dogs out here!”

So all this to say, that is what we did yesterday, I love Alaska, I love the Iditarod, and get ready for the next one in March.  They have a lot of great things for teachers at their website so start planning to make this an unforgettable unit study!  We will make it a field trip!  We might even be volunteers this year!

Visit Iditarod.com!

Science–Another Giveaway

 Volume 3 – The Human Body, begins with an introductory song on cells, genes, tissue, organs, and organ systems. Then it focuses on each of the body systems.

Included in this giveaway is the teacher book, song cd, and two student workbooks.

To enter post a link on your blog about this giveaway and mention something that you like about this blog.  Then come and leave me a comment to let me know that you have done so.  The last day for entries is May 31st and the winner will be announced on June 1st.