By Learning Without Tears·Language Arts
10 video reviews: 10 positive
Handwriting Without Tears is the quiet staple in these ten reviews — it rarely gets a full walkthrough, but it shows up year after year in family after family's curriculum stack, which is its own endorsement. Reviewers who explain *why* point to the method: letters taught as a simple series of lines and curves, with wooden pieces, songs, chalkboards that start at a happy face, and play-based preschool materials. One long-time user calls it so effective it "really sticks" with her kids; another, teaching a kindergartner with Down syndrome, says the gentle, multisensory approach made handwriting doable for her boys and is a great option for a child with disabilities. Cursive is a recurring bright spot — one second grader now calls handwriting his favorite subject, and families bring the books back for cursive practice as late as sixth grade. The notable dissent comes from one of the program's most loyal users: by second grade the regular workbooks were still assigning short copy-work sentences her son had outgrown, so she plans to drop everything except Building Writers, the companion book that moves into narrative, informative, and opinion writing, which several reviewers single out as the piece worth buying in first grade and beyond. The practical read: reviewers treat it as the default way to *teach letter formation* in preschool through early elementary, often alternating it with other language arts work a few minutes a day, rather than as a long-haul writing curriculum.
Synthesized from 10 independent video reviews — every claim sourced from what real homeschool parents said on camera.
Parents teaching preschool through early-elementary kids to form letters — especially hands-on learners, reluctant or struggling writers, and children with special needs who benefit from a gentle, multisensory approach.
Families whose child already writes letters fluently and is ready for independent composition — one veteran user found the later-level workbooks were still assigning copy work her second grader had outgrown.
Secular handwriting curriculum #curriculum #homeschool #handwriting
2ND GRADE CURRICULUM HAUL! | HOMESCHOOL 2019/20 WITH FLIP THROUGH We are ready for another school year this fall, homeschooling our children! Today I have a curriculum haul for our daughter who will be entering grade 2. Do you have a second grader? Deanna’s video: https://youtu.be/wgns9PRdVDM Hi everyone! My name is Julie, and I'm a mama to FIVE now! My kids are 8, 7, 5, 3, and newborn. I post videos every Monday that are either mommy tips, favourites, homeschool curriculum reviews, birth/postpartum tips, hauls, or some other kind of 'mommy' video! I also post vlogs most Fridays. Thank you for checking out my channel, and I hope you subscribe so you can keep up on my videos! I love to keep in contact with those who watch my videos to find out what's going on in your life, so please comment below. I always read your comments! :) If you want to shop some of my favourite curriculum, read aloud books, and more, visit my affiliate link at Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/shop/mamatofive Get cash back on groceries with the Checkout 51 app: https://checkout51.app.link/17kDLe9oSR Find me on Instagram: @mama.to.five Contact me at: mamatofouryt@gmail.com
6TH GRADE CURRICULUM HAUL! | HOMESCHOOL 2021/22 Hey friends! It's that time again, time for me to share our curriculum hauls for this next school year, 2021/22. My oldest is entering 6th grade, so today I'm showing all of the homeschool books we're planning to use. :) Epson Ecotank 2760 printer: https://amzn.to/3At9J8n Proclick binding machine punch: https://amzn.to/3AnBteB ProClick binding spines: https://amzn.to/3wfmbp4 Scotch laminator: https://amzn.to/3hz7M1A Gather Round Careers Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/careers-and-trades-digital/products/careers-and-trades-family-bundle-digital Gather Round Farming & Food Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/farming-and-food-digital/products/farming-and-food-family-bundle-digital Gather Round North America Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/north-america/products/north-america-full-bundle-digital Gather Round South America Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/south-america/products/pre-order-south-america-full-bundle-digital Gather Round Canadian Government Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/canadian-government-digital-1/products/canadian-government-digital Gather Round Inventions Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/inventions-digital/products/inventions-family-bundle-digital Handwriting without Tears Cursive: https://amzn.to/3jEUdQV What is the Statue of Liberty: https://amzn.to/3AsONye Where is the Great Barrier Reef: https://amzn.to/3dFEOfz Who was Mister Rogers: https://amzn.to/3hvmMh8 What is the Battle of Gettysburg: https://amzn.to/3wgBFZK Who was Seabiscuit: https://amzn.to/3qLGHfV Who was Henry Ford: https://amzn.to/3xgX4DG What is the Stanley Cup: https://amzn.to/3dIrUNA Discovering Heroes Michael Collins: https://amzn.to/36eb0SS Discovering Heroes Ida B Wells: https://amzn.to/36aGvNN The Courage of Sarah Noble: https://amzn.to/36dgHQZ Cassie Binegar: https://amzn.to/3ynWl3t Hi everyone! My name is Julie, and I'm a mama to FIVE! My kids are 10, 9, 7, 5, and 2. I post videos every Monday that are either mommy tips, favourites, homeschool curriculum reviews, birth/postpartum tips, hauls, or some other kind of 'mommy' video! Wednesdays are grocery hauls, full days of food, or what I eat in a day. I also post large family vlogs on Fridays. Thank you for checking out my channel, and I hope you subscribe so you can keep up on my videos! I love to keep in contact with those who watch my videos to find out what's going on in your life, so please comment below. I always read your comments! :) If you want to shop some of my favourite curriculum, read aloud books, and more, visit my affiliate link at Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/shop/mamatofive Find me on Instagram: @mama.to.five Contact me at: mamatofouryt@gmail.com
1st GRADE HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM! | 2021/22 FLIP-THROUGH & HAUL Today I'm going to share the homeschool curriculum that I will be using with my 1st grader this fall. Lots of the same books I've used with my older children as well, and I can't believe this is my fourth child going through 1st grade! I feel old. :) I will link each of the products and resources down below, if you're interested in them! Epson Ecotank 2760 printer: https://amzn.to/3At9J8n Proclick binding machine punch: https://amzn.to/3AnBteB ProClick binding spines: https://amzn.to/3wfmbp4 Scotch laminator: https://amzn.to/3hz7M1A Gather Round Careers Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/careers-and-trades-digital/products/careers-and-trades-family-bundle-digital Gather Round Farming & Food Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/farming-and-food-digital/products/farming-and-food-family-bundle-digital Gather Round North America Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/north-america/products/north-america-full-bundle-digital Gather Round South America Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/south-america/products/pre-order-south-america-full-bundle-digital Gather Round Canadian Government Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/canadian-government-digital-1/products/canadian-government-digital Gather Round Inventions Unit: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/collections/inventions-digital/products/inventions-family-bundle-digital Handwriting without Tears My Printing Book: https://amzn.to/3ARWJt4 Math U See Alpha: https://amzn.to/3hYIHx9 Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons: https://amzn.to/3e64dyX BOB Books: Pathway Readers 1st Grade: https://amzn.to/2VtW8hf 2021/22 6th Grade HAUL: https://youtu.be/JuNbvZfE_rE 2021/22 4th Grade HAUL: https://youtu.be/pCRMwFpsaQ0 2021/22 3rd Grade HAUL: https://youtu.be/j9xfnSR9kuA Hi everyone! My name is Julie, and I'm a mama to FIVE! My kids are 10, 8, 7, 5, and 2. I post videos every Monday that are either mommy tips, favourites, homeschool curriculum reviews, birth/postpartum tips, hauls, or some other kind of 'mommy' video! Wednesdays are grocery hauls, full days of food, or what I eat in a day. I also post large family vlogs on Fridays. Thank you for checking out my channel, and I hope you subscribe so you can keep up on my videos! I love to keep in contact with those who watch my videos to find out what's going on in your life, so please comment below. I always read your comments! :) If you want to shop some of my favourite curriculum, read aloud books, and more, visit my affiliate link at Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/shop/mamatofive Find me on Instagram: @mama.to.five Contact me at: mamatofouryt@gmail.com
Homeschool Curriculum Haul - What We're Learning - Kinder thru 12th Join me while I share some of the new things I purchased for the 2022-2023 school year. We will have one in every grade of high school and then our Evan Ray doing Kinder. Evan has special needs, Down syndrome specifically, so we will be having a gentle start with learning. Lots of learning through play! We are excited for a fresh start and some new resources to kick off the school year. Subscribe to our channel and come along with us for the homeschooling journey this year. We are one week in and so thankful for the freedom to homeschool and the memories we are already making. Mentioned in the Video ------------------------------------------------- Ambleside Online https://www.amblesideonline.org/ Plush Chickadee https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/070296/Audubon-Bird-Black-Capped-Chickadee-Plush-With-Real-Bird-Call.html Backyard Bird Songbook https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/002242/Little-Book-of-Backyard-Bird-Songs.html Animal Sticker Book https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/080200/Animals---Sticker-Activity.html https://iew.com/ https://www.apologia.com/ ------------------------------------------------- Connect with Us ------------------------------------------------- Web: http://www.osofarm.com Insta: http://www.instagram.com/osofarmer Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theosofarm ------------------------------------------------- We Love Mail! ------------------------------------------------- OsoFarm Mail PO BOX 304 China Spring, TX 76633 ------------------------------------------------- #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolhaul #homeschoolcurriculum #homeschoolhighschool
Real- Life Secular Homeschool Day | Lessons, Curriculum Review, and Socializing Join us for a day in our homeschooling life! From hands-on learning and outdoor adventures to cozy reading time and rock climbing fun, I’m sharing how we make learning an everyday adventure. In this video, you’ll get a peek into our routine, the curriculums we love, and the ways we bring lessons to life. ✨ Highlights: * Morning lessons * A walk through of some of my favorite curriculums * Hands-on learning with real-life applications School Curriculum List: 1st grade Reading and Writing Logic of English Foundations (level C&D) https://store.logicofenglish.com/coll... Writing: Handwriting without Tears https://amzn.to/3TvUwih Mathematics Math with Confidence- https://amzn.to/4gjkxuK Supplementing with Beast Academy for an extra challenge https://beastacademy.com/books/level-1 Science Real Science Odyssey- Life Science https://www.pandiapress.com/product/r... Social Studies Core Knowledge History & Geography 1st Grade https://www.coreknowledge.org/history... Art Soul Sparklettes Art https://soul-sparklettes-art-llc.mykajabi.com/a/2147908355/cAaDFLm4 Music shorturl.at/FIHOS If you love family adventures and real homeschooling moments, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to join us on this journey! 🌟 #homeschooling #dayinmylife #dayinthelife #homeschoolroutine #momvlog #momlife
Homeschool Curriculum Unboxing Mom of 6 kids | BookShark Review 2025 The BookShark curriculum is an easy-to-use homeschool curriculum that is literature based! It literally makes my life so much easier especially because we have a large family and I can group kids into one level! Hope you enjoy this homeschool curriculum 2025 BookShark review! BookShark curriculums (Affiliate Link): https://affiliate.bookshark.com/149.html Get a custom video from us on Cameo: https://www.cameo.com/themoorethemerriervlogs Our Apparel: https://themoorethemerriervlogs.com ~ Welcome to The Moore The Merrier Vlogs ~ We are a family of 8 living in Southern California! We have 6 children: Jirah(16), Sophia(14), Micah(10), Jeremiah(8), Noah(6) and Mariah(1)! We enjoy making videos that are not only entertaining but also informing and inspiring to you! Our videos range from DIY projects, to life hacks, to food recipes, and much more family fun! We hope to have you along right beside us on this crazy journey! Binge Watch the VLOGS : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLzlbxL1viEVQG66vwr0C3JZGPqGKTr65 Our Vlogging Gear: https://liketk.it/47yCZ SUBSCRIBE here on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMooreTheMerrier #bookshark #bookshark2025 #booksharkreview Find us on: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themoorethemerriervlogs/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoorethemerriervlogs/ Cameo https://www.cameo.com/themoorethemerriervlogs WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! The Moore Family P.O. Box 2031 Temecula, Ca 92593 For business inquiries or collaborations: themoorethemerriervlogs@gmail.com
Thoughts of a Secular Homeschooling Mom: Curriculum review, preschool, balancing motherhood If you’ve ever wondered what a day in the life of a secular homeschooling mom who also works from home looks like, welcome! From hands on learning and fun, to sharing how I try and balance motherhood and making time for hobbies this vlog gives you an honest peak in a non aesthetic real life family. ✨ Highlights ✨ - second grade lessons - preschool activities - curriculum review and thoughts - marriage life Follow on IG for daily videos! https://www.instagram.com/celenakinsey?igsh=MWx1bWx0a3p0MW9kbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 📚CURRICULUMS for second grade Some of these links are affiliate links so I do get a small commission when you click on them Spelling: All About Spelling- https://www.allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=2959 Reading: Brave Writer Darts (this link gives you $10 off!)- https://bravewriter.refr.cc/brave-writer/u/celenak?s=sp&t=cp (We are doing Ra The Mighty: Cat Detective- you can get the book from amazon https://amzn.to/45zfpQ2 Writing: Handwriting without tears cursive- https://amzn.to/3UN8s7E Writing print- https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2nd-Grade-Opinion-Narrative-and-Informative-Writing-Curriculum-with-Prompts-7798694 I also have Write by Number- https://writebynumber.com/ but it’s much more technical so I recommend the print one from TPT Grammar: MCT Island Level- https://www.rfwp.com/mct-language-arts/seven-levels/level-1-the-island-level/ Math: Beast Academy- https://beastacademy.com/ Science: Real Science Odyssey- https://www.pandiapress.com/real-science-odyssey/ref/203/#rso-level1 (I am doing Astronomy and potentially Earth Science this year) Social Studies: Core Knowledge (FREE) - https://www.coreknowledge.org/download-free-curriculum/ Art: Soul Sparklettes- https://soul-sparklettes-art-llc.mykajabi.com/a/2148144642/cAaDFLm4 Music: Stageworthy by Widy- https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/stageworthy-by-widy-performing-arts-education Health: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2nd-Grade-Health-Curriculum-Full-Year-Health-Curriculum-for-Print-and-Online-13098256 If you love family activities, homeschooling and just real life moments don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe to join in on this journey! #homeschooling #preschool #dayinmylife #motherhood #secularhomeschool
2025 Lower Elementary Secular Homeschool Curriculum Recap | Walkthrough & Review In this video, I’m recapping our current second grade curriculums for our secular homeschooling family. I share reasons why we love it, why it works well, and I give you a sneak peek into all of them! Whether you’re new to homeschooling or searching for fresh secular options, this homeschool recap should help you in choosing a curriculum that may work for your lower elementary student I have a substack post with a huge curriculum roundup- https://open.substack.com/pub/celenak... 📚CURRICULUMS: Some of these links are affiliate links so I do get a small commission when you click on them Spelling: All About Spelling- https://www.allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=2959 Reading: Brave Writer Darts https://bravewriter.refr.cc/brave-writer/u/celenak?s=sp&t=cp Writing: Handwriting without tears cursive- https://amzn.to/3UN8s7E Writing print- https://tinyurl.com/35vbct29 Grammar: MCT Island Level- https://www.rfwp.com/mct-language-arts/seven-levels/level-1-the-island-level/ Math: Beast Academy- https://beastacademy.com/ Math with confidence second grade- https://amzn.to/48NRn43 Science: Real Science Odyssey- pandiapress.com/products/real-science-odyssey-astronomy-1?ref=Celena D Kinsey (I am doing Astronomy) Social Studies: Core Knowledge (FREE) - https://www.coreknowledge.org/download-free-curriculum/ Storylark- https://storylarkroad.com/?ref=CELENAKINSEY Art: Soul Sparklettes- https://soul-sparklettes-art-llc.mykajabi.com/a/2148144642/cAaDFLm4 Music: Stageworthy by Widy- https://tinyurl.com/2p9nr5bh Health https://tinyurl.com/33r6vdyu ✅ Subscribe for more secular homeschool tips, curriculum reviews, and day in the life videos! Follow Me: Instagram - www.instagram.com/celenakinsey Tiktok - www.tiktok.com/@casakinsey Substack - https://substack.com/@celenakinsey #homeschooling #homeschool #homeschoolcurriculum #secularhomeschool #curriculum
Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Picks | 2026-2027 LET’S CONNECT: 🩵Instagram: the_mindful_homeschooler 💛Etsy Store: https://mindfulhomeschooler.etsy.com Kindergarten Homeschool Schedule: https://youtu.be/zFGH4R4JqO4 Math: Math with Confidence - K: - Teacher Guide: https://amzn.to/4trWsrt - Student Workbook: https://amzn.to/4e52sBT ELA: - Explode the Code 1: https://amzn.to/4e52v0x - Kick Start Kindergarten - Handwriting without Tears: https://amzn.to/3PIbjzA The BirdsNest Schoolhouse video on Handwriting without Tears: https://youtu.be/h-L2dbAcNaE?si=uLluta66b-Hhari- - Exploring the World Through Story: https://stonesouppress.com/curriculum/exploring-the-world-through-story/ - How & Why Stories: https://amzn.to/3Oi5qbQ - Aesop’s Fables for Children: https://amzn.to/4vgDhmg - DK Our World in Pictures: Countries of the World: https://amzn.to/3PMmibf Social Studies: Me on the Map by Little School of Smiths: https://littleschoolofsmiths.com/product/meonthemap/ - Me on the Map: https://amzn.to/4sduOxq - DK: Children Just Like Me: https://amzn.to/41zqRs9 Community Helpers Unit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Community-Helpers-UNIT-PreK-to-2nd-Grade-13859861?msockid=3e1c62877a566eac00bd76b97bec6fb6 Flip through on Community Helpers: Community Helpers Unit | Pre-K to 1st Grade | Overview & Flip Through with Special Guest! https://youtu.be/cYYST0MtJuQ Science: - Science Curriculum: A Year Through the Seasons: https://mindfulhomeschooler.etsy.com/listing/4480769052 Flip through on science curriculum: https://youtu.be/4kgTwX3C4cU?si=cIsnc7lCe_YQAOGr - Awesome Autumn: https://amzn.to/4dp2KDv - Wonderful Winter: https://amzn.to/41axW25 - Spectacular Spring: https://amzn.to/48e53Ws - My Big Book of Outdoors: https://amzn.to/4mbsJjW - Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments: https://amzn.to/41NgIbb - Poetry: Outside Your Window: First Book of Nature: https://amzn.to/4bRj8LR - Heartwood Hotel: A True Home: https://amzn.to/3QlEmZN - Heartwood Hotel: The Greatest Gift: https://amzn.to/41P6k2A - Heartwood Hotel: Better Together: https://amzn.to/3Oi5TL8 - Heartwood Hotel: Home Again - https://amzn.to/48dt9AG Mental Health: - Peaceful Like a Panda: https://amzn.to/4sWv1pY - Breathe Like a Bear cards: https://amzn.to/4m9wu9T - I Am Books: https://amzn.to/3O6WTZh - Eeboo cards: I Heard Your Feelings - https://amzn.to/4tl3ga8 - Eeboo cards: What Do I Do? - https://amzn.to/4sbF2hB - Eeboo cards: Good Manners - https://amzn.to/41eGVPK - My Very Own Gratitude Journal: https://www.etsy.com/listing/690941809/preschool-gratitude-journal Electives: - Elmo Asks Why: A First Encyclopedia: https://amzn.to/4tvmnP3 - The Monthly Planner: https://amzn.to/3Q41eNk - Paper Crafts for Kids: https://amzn.to/4sTOaZq Hi! My name is Nicole and I am just a mom who loves to talk about all things homeschool as well as sharing how I manage homeschooling, a part-time job and life in general! I currently have an 11 year old daughter in 6th grade and a son doing pre-k. FTC Disclosure: This video is NOT sponsored. All opinions are entirely my own, and every product featured was purchased by me. Some links in this description may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep this channel going — thank you so much guys! 💛
“they had these wooden sticks in the form of lines and curves and that's how they teach letters to kids which makes so much sense because if you think about letters what are they just a series of lines and curves”
“it is a very simple gentle way to teach kids handwriting and it definitely focuses on how the letters are formed with manipulatives and songs and dances and wooden pieces that form the letters”
“This year we loved it so much we are learning cursive with it and he now says that handwriting is his favorite subject which I never thought I would hear”
“I found we had the second grade just regular handwriting without tears curriculum. And that was still going over like short letters and sentences that they would have to copy. Um, and I was like, well, we should be writing independently at this point.”
“It had more practice on forming the letters whereas the kindergarten level had more emphasis on copy work and so that was really informative”
“i still wanted her to continue with handwriting without tears to get more printing work in and so we are happy with this handwriting without tears curriculum”
Reviews tell you what worked for someone else's kid. A 5-minute profile tells you what's likely to work for yours — matched across 1,307 programs, free, no signup needed to see your top picks.
Reviewers in this set use it from preschool through early elementary: a play-based preschool level with wooden sticks and tracing, a Kick Start Kindergarten book focused on letter formation, first and second grade printing books, and cursive books. One family even pulled the cursive book back out for review with a sixth grader.
One long-time user recommends waiting until second or third grade, when kids have better fine motor control. Families in this set typically start cursive around second grade — one with the Cursive Kickoff book as a slow introduction — and report it going smoothly, with one child declaring handwriting his favorite subject.
One reviewer teaching a kindergartner with Down syndrome calls it a great option for a child with disabilities. She describes it as a very simple, gentle way to teach handwriting that focuses on how letters are formed using manipulatives, songs, dances, and wooden pieces, and says it made handwriting doable for her boys.
Letters are broken into lines and curves, taught with wooden pieces and memorable cues — frog jump capitals, the magic C, starting at the smiley face on the small chalkboard. Each lesson gives the parent a short scripted blurb for introducing the letter, and kids practice on whiteboards and workbook pages.
Building Writers is the companion book for first grade and up that moves beyond letter formation into narrative, informative, and opinion writing. It's optional, but multiple reviewers call it the standout — one describes it as roughly a $12 book that works on creative writing better than the rest of the curriculum at that stage.
Opinions split. Several families keep using it for years, especially for cursive practice and review. But one user who started in preschool plans to stop after second grade because the regular workbook was still assigning short copy-work sentences when her son was ready to write independently — she's keeping only Building Writers.
Reviewers describe it as a light daily touch — about a page a day in kindergarten, roughly 12 minutes in one first-grade day-in-the-life, with some families alternating it every other day with phonics workbooks or alternating cursive and print days.