I was wondering if any of you use Handwriting without Tears.  I think I would like to use it with my kids, but there are so many different resources and I'm not sure which things I will actually need or use.  I would love to hear from someone who uses it and what products they actually bought.  I am looking at using it with my preschooler as well as my handwriting-challenged first grader.  Would you recommend the wood blocks, chalk board, etc?  Is the teacher's book necessary?

We've used it for six years now and LOVE IT!!! 

I would get the Pre-K and Kdg TG's, but after that, it's not really needed...until cursive again.

Don't spend the money on the wood blocks - you can make them from heavy cardboard (or recycled cereal box), foam board, styrofoam, etc.  You could get the unlaminated capital letter cards and make your "blocks" from those.

Definitely get the slate.

The stamp & see screen would be good for Pre-K, but *only if* your child doesn't know their letters.  If they like Magnadoodle, it'd be nice.  Otherwise, if they are "hands-on", get the roll-a-dough letters.

I actually have a brand new, unused stamp & see screen.  I missed our local HS swap sale last night due to a migraine, so I'd love to move it.  I'd take either 3 credits, or $5 for it.

You can make your own small sponges for the slate.

I have a TON of HWT-related PDF files.  I wish we could post them here.  PM me (anyone) and leave your email address and I'll send them via email.  They are wall charts, letter formation charts, blank journal pages, "stationary" templates, grey block paper, wide line, thin line (but not the smallest for the higher grades), etc.

She has a lot of new products since we did Kdg/1st.  I've never used the Mat Man or the music stuff.

The new lined chalkboard looks great!  That would be a step after the small slate.

The grey block paper - I have a template for that.  I also have files with extra practice pages for after the book is completed (takes about 6 weeks to do each one - then you do practice about 10 min/day).

The Draw & Write notebooks are great for journals and compositions.  I do like that they are bound.

Rainbow Resource Center usually has better prices than the HWTears site.  So check there, too.

rainbowresource.com/search.php - search for Handwriting Without Tears and you'll get the items.

Let me know if you have more questions or need more input!

JC