HSGS Coop: Gaming the Cursive Way

This past winter, I had the opportunity to teach classes at HSGS Coop (home school coop in Skokie, IL) for gifted children.  I looked forward weekly to my interaction with the children at the coop and they looked forward to my multiple sensory manipulatives, especially shaving cream and play doh writing.  They also enjoyed playing Apple to Apple, Scrabble, Hangman, to name a few of our handwrinting games as we practiced the targeted letters of the day. 

Summer 2013 Handwriting Camps

Handwriting Summer Adventures Camps

   Students will experience a fun, engaging, multi-sensory method to learn the fundamentals of handwriting. Proper handwriting is essential to succeed in school. Our goal is to equip children with the necessary tools to write with CONFIDENCE and EASE. The end result is better academic performance.

2013 Weekly Camp Curriculum – Schedule

Session 1: Write Now Scrapbooking: Favorite Things (AM session)    July 8 - July 12   $150

Session 2: Write Now Comics (PM session)                      July 8 - July 12   $150

Session 3: Handwriting Summer Adventures                   July 15 - July 19  $240

Session 4: Kindergarten Readiness Camp                         July 22 - July 26 $240

Session 5: Write Now Scrapbooking: Friends & Family (AM session) July 29- Aug 2   $150

Session 6: Write Now Comics  (PM session)                       July 29 - Aug 2  $150

Session 7:  Handwriting Summer Adventure Camp           Aug 5 - Aug 9  $240

AM Session: Monday – Friday 9am to 12pm  PM Session: Monday – Friday 1pm to 4pm

Handwriting Summer Adventures Camp 1st grade & Up

This camp emphasize formation of letters and numbers using the award winning Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum and multi-sensory strategies. This curriculum uses a child centered developmental approach to equip children with a solid foundation for handwriting success. Loops and Other Groups: A Kinesthetic Writing System is used to teach cursive letter formation. This curriculum teaches letters in groups that share common movement patterns. Easy-to-remember motor and memory cues help students visualize and verbalize while they experience the “feel” of the letters. All campers will engage in fun hands-on sensory motor activities to solidify letter formation.  Music, movement, and sensory experiences will be used to boost memory of the skills learned and foster good handwriting habits.

Write Now Scrapbooking Camp  1st grade & Up

Come Scrapbook With Me!!! Whether you want to make a memorable heirloom of photos or improve your handwriting skills, this camp has something for everyone. Each student will create their very own scrapbook using photos from home that will capture their special thoughts and stories. For campers who want to improve their handwriting technique, this class emphasize pencil grasp development, formation of PRINT or CURSIVE letters and numbers using the award winning Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum while creating a treasured heirloom.  With scissors, paper, special scrapbooking tools, and imagination students will create a one-of-a-kind reflection of themselves.

Write Now Comics Camp 1st grade & Up

Whether you want to make an eventful comic book or improve your handwriting skills, this camp has something for everyone. Each student will create their very own comic book that will capture their special thoughts and stories. For students who want to improve their handwriting technique, this class emphasize formation of PRINT or CURSIVE letters and numbers using the award winning Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum while creating a treasured heirloom.  

Kindergarten Readiness Camp 4&5 years olds

This camp emphasize pencil grasp development, fine motor skills, letter and number formation using the award winning Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum, and multi-sensory strategies. This curriculum uses a child centered developmental approach to equip children with a solid foundation for handwriting success. The students will learn the skills to write in upper case letters and progress to numbers. Students will engage in fun hands-on sensory motor activities to solidify letter formation. Music, movement, and sensory experiences will be used to boost memory of the skills learned. The students also will work through drawing a person and shapes.  Students will work on coloring to strengthen the manipulation of a pencil while improving pencil/crayon control.  Scissor skills will also be addressed.

Summer Camp Date and Fees

Camps Dates: July 8 to August 9, 2013

Camp Time (Full Day): Monday – Friday, 10am to 3pm

Camp Time (Half Day):  Monday  - Friday,           

AM Session: 9am to 12pm      PM Session: 1pm to 4pm

Early care (8am to 10am) and aftercare (3pm to 5pm) camp hours are available at a minimal cost.

Handwriting Summer Adventures & Kindergarten Readiness Camp (Full Day)  $240/wk per camp, which includes the cost of camp and workbook/materials fee.

Write Now Scrapbooking (AM session) & Write Now Comics (PM session) (Half Day)  $150/wk per camp, which includes the cost of camp and materials.  No additional fees required for campers registered for both AM & PM sessions during the same week are welcome to bring their own lunch during the hour break in between sessions.  

B-I-N-G-O

"B-I-N-G-O B-I-N-G-O and bingo was the name!!!"

Winter Camp 2013

During the swimming training program day, the campers worked on the diving letters (r, p, b, n, m, and h). Fun was in full swing. By popular demand, shaving cream writing and magic c letters (a, c, o, g, and s) went hand and hand during the Magic C celebration. Magic C bunny even made a guest appearance for his special day. Can you say, "Where do you start your letters?... AT THE TOP!"

Election Day Fun

During Toddler Letter Adventures class yesterday, the toddlers took part in our very own election. Mat man, an activity tool use to teach body awareness and parts, served as the modorator. Our two candidates shared their platforms. Magic C Bunny shares his ability to magically turn an "C" into a "O" and "Q". While Frog Jump Froggy explained the Frog Jump letter "F".

No election would not be not complete without shaking the candidates hand and posing for a few photos. Do not forget that cannot miss photo for the candidate with a baby.

After all the photos opportunities take place, the toddlers casted their secret ballots by writing an "C" or "F" on their ballot.

AND THE WINNER IS ................. FROG JUMP FROG. Froggy's victory was a landslide.

Summer session THREE @ camp

Corner starting letters (H, L, and K) with pretzels. What could be better snacks and letters?

All you need is apple sauce and a straw to preform magic. The magic C letters (C, O, G, S, and Q)and (a, g, d, c, and q) were all preformed with ease.

Gold metals were awarded for the mastery of the diving letters (p, h, b, r, n, and m). Meet my proud swimmer metalist.

Sliding down to the end of the alphabet. Sliding down to v, w, x, y, and z.

Summer Session TWO @ Camp

Frog jump letters have never been better than jumping with friends to write letters (E, F, R, P, B, N, and M).

Where do you start your letters? AT THE TOP !!!!!!

Shaving cream writing with center starting letters (J, I, and T).

Sliding down to the end of the alphabet with the sliding letters (V, W, X, Y, Z). Do not forget the other letters with slides (A, R, Q, N, M, K, and k).