Has anyone fought the schools on this? Our school system teaches the D’nelian method. I noticed today that my 5-yr-old was really struggling with writing his name, so I showed him how to do it in block manuscript. It was perfect! For some reason, the “tails” really throw him off and it makes the difference between legible and non-legible letters.
I’m really tempted to continue teaching him this way and the heck with them. Is this something I can fight for with his IEP? Any experiences with this?
Re: Block print versus D'nelian letters
I’m teaching both upper and lower case, but his problem is that the “tails” and curves in the D’nelian seem to throw him off. http://www.dnealian.com/compare.html
I sent a note to his teacher today asking if it was going to be a problem for me to continue teaching him the old school style block print, so we’ll see what she has to say.
Re: Block print versus D'nelian letters
Some schools have converted to Handwriting Without Tears. I have heard that the Albuquerque Public Schools are using it (though I only know of one instance, I am in teaching HS).
IMO, most of the formations are pretty logical (though I dislike a few of them); they are based on sound developmental principles; was designed by an Occupational Therapist, and it is economical.
Take a look at http://www.hwtears.com
I don’t like D’Nealian. There are some other simplified manuscript methods out there. I think many people here like HWT.
—des
Do you mean you taught capitals or lower-case? If you are teaching him capitals, this is going to throw him off badly because 95% and more of print is in lower-case. Lower-case without the tails can work fine.
If he is working with commercial play books and games and unfortunately a lot of TV shows, he may be getting too much exposure to capitals and this may be confusing him. For the moment, put away all the books and games with capitals and stress lower-case only.
Kids do NOT see that D and d, E and e, G and g, etcetera, are the same letter; he can get very very frustrated if people persist in giving him two conflicting messages. Stress lower-case until he can read and then introduce capitals.
As far as the tails, these are connecting lines and you can worry about them later. I don’t know if you need to go as far as the IEP or not. Usually kindergarten teachers are happy with anything recognizable.