Handwritng Without Tears users, question!

[HRC121799]

My ds will be 6 in a couple of months, he's very into figuring out how to write better, and I've heard awesome things about this, but my head is spinning trying to figure what all I should buy! So far we have (got these for an awesome price from a mama on another board):
HWT Kindergarten Teacher's Guide
My Printing Book
Printing Teacher's Guide
2 Draw & Write Notebooks w/double wide lines

What else do I need? And I've heard I should get the wooden pieces from a guy on ebay? We already have a little chalkboard (and a whiteboard) so I figure I don't need those. But please help me figure it out!

[boysrus]

Having the HWT chalk board is good because it isthe exact size. I dont think that the wood pieces are necessary. We used them some. My 3 yo really liked them, but they werent that big a deal fo rthe 6 yo

[simple living mama]

Here is a must!! Games for Writing by Peggy Kay. Writing made fun for sure. We also use her Games for Math and Games for Reading. They are my most used books around here.

[Linda on the move]

I agree with boysrus about the wood pieces for a 6 year old. I would just start with what you have, and then if you decide you need something more/different you can get it latter. We have some nice paper from Draw Right Now that has grey squares with the starting corner marked that really helped my DD with reversals, but you may not need it and the most expensive homeschooling supplies are the ones you buy and then end up not using.

[annethcz]

Agree about the wood pieces. If, for some reason, you decide that you want the pieces, they can easily be made out of cardstock, craft foam, old cereal boxes, etc. by using the template in the book.

[jennay]

I knew I would never get around to making the letter pieces myself so I did buy them from the guy on ebay and they are a nice quality set. I only have the uppercase set. DS really enjoyed them.

[AnnR33]

Skip the wood pieces unless your son is extremely tactile and needs them to trace with his finger-but I'd wait to see how he does first with what you have. I have to pieces off e-bay and we haven't used them at all-though I plan to with my 4 yr old when she starts to show an interest.
The important thing is to read the teachers guide and learn all the "phrases" like "magic C" etc. These are what stick in the kids' head if you're consistent. This really seems to help my DS-almost 7 yrs. However, when I slack off and don't use the phrases I can tell he starts to get sloppy!
Good luck
Ann

[HRC121799]

I know I wouldn't get around to making the wood pieces myself, I think I"ll just get them (if my older ds doesn't like them, I have a 2.5 year old might).

So I have all the books I need to start? Cool. I was just confused,lol. Thanks you guys.