Handwriting without Tears Wet-Dry-Try App

Handwriting is such a hard thing for many children.  As a child, I remember sitting and copying...and copying....and copying some more.  The teacher would draw red lines to show my mistakes.  After elementary school though, as long as a teacher could read it they didn't care how high my t's were or if my s made it to the top of the line.  Made me wonder why I had to sit and copy so much!

In our situation, we have two boys that are on the autism spectrum and handwriting is difficult for them.  Lydia is also struggling there, along with Caty.  My problem is keeping handwriting from being completely boring.  

Handwriting Without Tears has created a new application that allows children to practice their letter formation and get instant feedback (and not a red pen mark across a paper).  Wet-Dry-Try app by Handwriting Without Tears is a K-1st grade app that is based on their slate chalkboard used in the regular writing program.  It is available for both iPad and Android devices.

They all love their iPads, so I was really excited to get a chance to try out the Handwriting Without Tears Wet-Dry-Try app.  I mean here is a way to use their iPads for more than a $400.00 television and video game system!!!

When Lydia first started using it though, she was getting a bit frustrated.  Then I realized her frustration was because of improper letter formation.  It wasn't giving her the star if she made too many mistakes.  This caused her to really slow down and pay attention to what she needed to be doing.  Whoohooo!!!  Score for this app!!!

This program is broke down into sections.  You can pick and choose what letters you want to concentrate on....

Or you can follow a program set up already by Handwriting Without Tears and called HWT's Winning Order.

As a child completes the "writing" correctly, they earn a star and  upon earning three stars they have mastered that letter.

This program is made to reinforce capitalization and number formation.  It really does help to reinforce good habits.

Lydia has loved this program, and Caty has started using it also.  I catch them "playing" this app, without being told!  Lydia will be on the couch and let out a huge sigh and I will ask what is wrong.  And her response is, "I am trying to get a star and I did it wrong!!  I have to try again."  Caty even is practicing and squeals when she earns a star!  

I love "portable" school programs like this.  They can use it anywhere, even in the van.  And what is best about that....no ink on my van seats!  Yet they are practicing their handwriting.

We are going to continue using this application, and I hope they are working on a program for cursive. Because that is what 2 of the 4 are working on now, and a 3rd one wants to start soon.  It is well worth the cost to help boost your child's confidence in their handwriting.

You can visit the Handwriting Without Tears Wet-Dry-Try application page to view additional screenshots and watch a video on how it works.

You can purchase this program visiting the iTunes store.  iPad application price is $4.99.
If you own an Android Device, visit the Google Play store.  Android version is also $4.99.

The Schoolhouse Review Crew had the privilege to review several of the printed products from Handwriting Without Tears also.  Be sure to check out the Crew blog and see how they were able to use the printed products and applications in their homes.

*****Disclaimer......I received Handwriting without Tears Wet/Dry/Try App  free of charge for the sole purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The views I have expressed are my own and are real experiences with my family. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>:"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Our Week in Review - Week 34

This is our list to-do list from Monday.....

Joey

Math- Math Mammoth - Place value, adding thousands

Grammar- Rod and Staff - Noun names, Names of people & places, Proper Nouns

Science- ABeka...Nervous system, eyes

Spelling

Social Studies - Martin Luther King Jr. Video and book--Difference between urban, rural and suburban

4H Project - Using Computer basics

Handwriting - Letter E & L (Cursive Handwriting without Tears)

Bible study - Creation of the world

Scholastic Newspaper

Brayden

Math - Adding thousands, adding whole hundreds

Grammar - Rod and Staff - Noun names, Names of People & Places, Proper Nouns

Science - Penguins

Spelling - Review words

Social studies - Martin Luther King Jr. Video and book --- U.S. Symbols

Scholastic Newspaper

Lydia

Math - A+ Interactive Math (2nd grade level) - counting past 100, skip counting review.  (Watch for the upcoming review)

Science - Carnivorous Mammals

Reading - Headsprout, McGuffey Reader

AG Club - Caroline Book 3

Site Words - Writing words zero to five

Geography Words - Badland, Bay

Phonics - A Beka Letters and Sounds

Handwriting without Tears App

Caty

Comprehension - Playing Red Light/Green Light, Practice our phone number, Following directions on how to build a snowman

Math - Practice counting to 20, Practice writing numbers to 10 in her dry-erase book

Reading - Letters A & B review w/ coloring cards

Art - Tissue Paper Matisse

Geography - Be an explorer at home

We almost got everything done this week!!!  Joey had a couple of rough days, and didn't finish his science reading.  So we will catch that up this next week.  Since I have to do his 4-H project with him hands on, we were short 1/2 the lesson.  Daddy finished the other half with him.

Brayden also did all his work, including watching an Animated Hero Classic about Ben Franklin on You Tube.

I wanted Joey to watch the same video, and this is how I caught him watching it at lunch (since lunchtime equals free computer time)....he had Minecraft on his laptop, the Youtube video going on his iPad and his lunch right next to him....ugh...but at least he could tell me about Ben Franklin.

Lydia loves drawing...this was us as dogs...lol

She loves art class too.  She had to do Caty's art study this week (since she didn't have one due to the abbreviated school week).  Caty was learning about colors similar to Henri Matisse, The Snail.

Lydia has decided to step back from Headsprout phonics again.  So we are working our way through A Beka Letters and Sounds and using the old McGuffey Readers.  She is doing a lesson in the book a day.  She has started remembering more.  So I just go with what she wants to do....she's obviously learning.  She doesn't remember the phonics rules though sometimes when she is trying to sound out words.  So it still frustrates her.

We did this Science activity on Sunday, after Last weeks post.  It was her science project about prey/predators....we hid red/green M&Ms in color bits of paper.  Some were easy to find, while others were more difficult.

She learned about various members of the canine family in science, so we watched Old Yeller as a treat when she finished her work.  She really liked this movie!

Sunday, Lydia cooked lunch with Daddy's help.

We did a couple science experiments.  We tried to throw water in the air to make it freeze...and did frozen bubbles.  The frozen bubbles was a full success...not so much our water though.

Working on her Handwriting without Tears app on her iPad (watch for the upcoming review).

Our American Girl Club hosted local historian, Clinton Mauk.  He talked to the girls about the importance of our area in the War of 1812.

Joey has District Cheerleading competition this weekend in Lexington, KY.   This was our drive through Ohio yesterday....yucky!  Yucky!!  part of the way.  We feared Kentucky because we kept hearing about an ice storm...but the roads were better once were crossed into Kentucky.  Could actually go the speed limit...lol.

Tried to walk some energy out at the mall by our hotel.  Our kids ARE NOT accustomed to visiting a mall at all!!  We avoid them because of the massive sensory overload involved.  I thought Caty was going to flip out there was so much to see.

I couldn't figure out why there was a Hermit Crab kiosk...seriously?!?!  I always buy hermit crabs in Lexington, KY...does anyone else?  But Caty thought this was so cool!

Eating dinner....the girls chose soft pretzels the size of their heads.

Joey chose a steak sandwich, after I eliminated how much he could not have.  The people at the restaurant were very nice with all my allergen questions.  He enjoyed the sandwich.

Brayden refused to eat there....too many unfamiliar restaurants.  He wanted McDonald's.  I swear...McDonald's is like crack for kids with autism.  He has to have 6 chicken nuggets.  No more..no less.  Ugh....I know it will be like this our whole trip.  Brayden gets a food obsession and will only eat that during the whole trip.  Not sure what it  may be.  I think it will revolve around chicken and Reese's Puffs.  I'll let you know.  But he has had Chicken McNuggets for 3 meals now....so you can see where this is going.  When we get settled in at Brentwood later tonight, he'll relax a lot more.