Book to learn cursive?

[amcal]

DD is in 3rd grade and we were told she would learn cursive this year. She really wants to learn it. Her printing is so messy and she really feels that learning cursive will help her.

Well, she's half way through the year and still nothing. I guess the materials they ordered haven't made it there and they don't know when or if they'll get there. I'm tired of waiting.

So, I was going to get DD a book to get her started. Any one have any suggestions on a book to start with?

[Emmeline II]

When I learned, in 3rd grade, the teacher just wrote on the board and we copied it...several times. I have seen dry erase cursive "books" in the store.

[whatsnextmom]

Handwriting without tears is a great program for cursive.

[domesticidyll]

Second the rec for HWT. This is the single book we have:

http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Cursive+Handwriting+Student+Workbook/007396/1294896405-155282

and it's fantastic. So clearly and sensibly laid out. They start with little c, then a, then d, and build very simply and logically by letter family. DS really enjoys it. I will say, the handwriting itself that they teach does not seem as attractive as what we learned as kids--the m with its three humps, the b that doesn't quite connect--but that seems to be what all the kids we know are learning, and I find my eye adjusting to it. I assume the new style is easier to write.

That said... if you suspect her teacher will be a stickler for writing "correctly," I would find out what the district/school uses, and get that. There are minor differences among the systems, and you don't want her getting dinged for doing it "wrong."

Heather