A New Way to Practice Handwriting

I'm a stickler for handwriting. When offered the chance to review this innovative way to practice handwriting, I jumped at the chance.   I'd like to tell you about the APP that helps your child learn to form print letters.  

Letters Make Words is an extension of the Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting system.  This system is an italic handwriting system.   In this system, the print letters flow naturally into cursive as the student gets older.    The app we reviewed for iPad helps your child form letters (in addition with some phonics instruction) by tracing them on the screen.   Tracing of letters leads into words using those letters, which then leads into a silly sentence for copying on paper.   

Itunes Description: 

The user can select any letter. Each one comprises a complete unit of instruction for that letter, a warmup pattern, the letter and a word to trace and to sound out. When a letter has a different sound depending on its usage in words, choose from either of two words. The next screen has three words to sound out with a silly sentence for the child to write on paper.

A friendly voice coaches the child to finger trace with the index finger, thereby encouraging good pencil/pen hold when actually writing. It’s the index finger that should push a pen to make marks with the greatest ease of movement.

Lowercase letters are featured. An app for capitals and numerals will follow soon. Lowercase are the ones we most need when we write, and are the easiest to form.

Letter-related warmup patterns start each unit to help the child with formations.

Starting points and directions for strokes are clearly defined, graphically and by the audio that guides a child through all finger tracing and pronunciation.

Letters are designed for ease of writing and legibility. Reversals (b for d, etc.) are never an issue with the formations used in this app. 

This is a screenshot from our iPad... basic patterns are taught and then the print letters "sit" on the pattern.   Other words with this letter are then taught (with attention being called to the phonetic sound) and then a silly sentence is given to copy on your own paper.  

To view more screenshots and read additional information about the app, visit the iTunes store directly.  This app is recommended for ages 4 and up. 

Our Impressions:

I was very excited about this and thought it looked great!  My son (7), however, was less than impressed.    The encouraging voice was actually a bit babyish for him and the tracing of the letters went a bit slow.    

With all of the amazing things you can do on an iPad, this didn't really seem to hold his interest.  Again, I was enthralled and amazed at this approach to teaching handwriting; my seven year old - not so much.  

I can see the value in this style of writing and its easy translation into cursive.  I thought the teaching of letters was sequential and appropriate.   I liked the phonetic connection to other words and then a sentence to copy.  Maybe another child would have enjoyed this program, but mine did not.  He prefers his regular handwriting copywork we do each day. 

This app is available for download through the iTunes store - now for an introductory price of $2.99.    Several of my crew mates have also reviewed this app, so you can read their reviews as well.  

Disclaimer:I received the above named product from TOS Crew in return for my honest review. I have not been compensated in any other form.

Fractazmic!

Our latest review for the TOS Homeschool Crew is Fractazmic, a card game that is aimed at helping kids enjoy working with fractions.

Basically, the goal of the game is to get rid of all your cards in your hand, but making your fractions in the same suit add up to 1.   If your children are working with this concept in math, I would HIGHLY recommend this game.   They must, however, have an understanding of how to convert fractions!!  

The cards are divided into three suits: blue, green and red.   Each card has a written fraction and also a graphic representation of that fraction.  This graphic is helpful if your child is still struggling a bit converting their fractions.    

For instance, we know that 2/5 is the same as 4/10, right?   Do you see how the 2/5 green card has a water bottle divided into 10 parts.  This aids your children in the conversion.   

Don't expect to sit down and play this game cold turkey.  You MUST instruct your children in the conversion of fractions before you play.  Spend some serious time with it.   If you want, use a white board to write out some of the conversions and leave it up while you're playing.  (Don't let them rely totally on a cheat board or sheet, though - they'll never be forced to really learn to convert the fractions!) 

I watched while my husband taught/played with my children:

As you can see from the big yawn from my almost seven year old, sometimes it made his brain hurt!

**There are lots of different games you can play with this deck of cards.  Click here to learn to play Fractazmic Rummy.  Or, how about Fractazmic Trap?

Pertinent Information:

Fractazmic is made by I See Cards... visit their website to learn more.

The game is recommended for first through eighth grade.  Use your judgment as to where your child is with fractions - it blew my first grader's mind (and he's good at math) and was right on track for my fifth grader.  

I See Cards also puts out other educational card games that might interest you.

Each deck of Fractazmic cards is $6.95.  They can be purchased in the I See Cards shop.  You can play speed Fractazmic online to win free decks.  

Our Impressions:

My husband was the one who taught and played this with the children.  He thought it was a great game (he's a math nerd!) and recommended we keep it out for my daughter who is studying fractions.

I can't emphasize enough that this is not a game you will just sit down and play immediately.  It takes instruction and thought.  Be sure your children are prepared to convert fractions.

In my opinion, it never hurts to have a lot of tools at your disposal when you're homeschooling; especially tools that make learning different and fun.  Fractazmic is just that.

Visit the crew blog to see what my crewmates are saying about Fractazmic.   

Disclaimer:I received the above named product from TOS Crew in return for my honest review. I have not been compensated in any other form.