TOS CREW Review- PreScripts from Classical Conversations

How's your handwriting?  Better yet, how is your child's handwriting?  Let me just say right up front, some of my children have better handwriting than others.  Some of us, not naming names, need a little practice.

Yea for PreScripts from Classical Conversations.  Yes, THAT Classical Conversations.  The one that you hear so many great things about!  Classical Conversations Communities are known for their parent directed classes across the United States that model the classical learning style.

Our purpose is to lead the home-centered education movement by equipping parents and students with the classical tools of learning needed to discover the order and beauty of God’s creation and to inspire others to do the same. (from the website)

Offering four levels of writing and art lessons, Classical Conversations has taken handwriting to a new level by combining writing practice, art lessons and history all together.  We had the opportunity to review the third level- Cursive Sentences and Art Lessons (ages 7-12) with my 11 year old son. You know, the nameless one who needs a little extra practice.  This level focuses on Medieval to Modern World History for all of its copywork. 

The 144 page spiral bound book alternates from a short paragraph to repeat twice, lessons A and B, and a brief art lesson.  After every three written activities there is a review writing practice with all three passages put together, thus reviewing not only handwriting but the history notes as well.   Each copywork section is written in a light gray scale so it can be easily traced and then there is a lined area for your child's work.  Each art lesson is introduced on one page and then has a blank page for your child to work in.  No extra paper needed!  Techniques at this level include- using a grid, pattern, architectural styles, elements of composition, depth, drawing a human figure, design a flying machine, manuscript illuminations, point of view, the rule of thirds, shadows, blending, profiles and more! If your child completes one page a day, they should be able to complete one book in a year.

How we used this product-
This program is an easy one to use daily.  While my son could have easily used the higher level of this product, I felt that more bulky paragraphs would overwhelm him.  Each day I would have him copy the text, saving the second copywork for the next day.  He would then proceed to the art lesson, and so on.  Pretty straightforward!

What we thought-
Admittedly, copywork is not my son's favorite thing to do, but he does LOVE history, so at least the information he was copying was interesting to him.  Trust me, that helps.  He was also not thrilled about having to copy the same thing twice but oh well.  As I told him repeatedly, sometimes hard works pays off.  Luckily for him, he also likes art so knowing that a new art lesson would soon be up helped keep him motivated.  These are not your average little art lessons.  They are challenging but fun!  It was fun to see him challenged with more advanced techniques.  His favorite so far is shading. I love that all of the lessons, writing and art included are able to be done directly in the workbook with no additional paper needed.  Contained is always good in my book!

If you are looking for a handwriting program with a slightly different twist than normal, and far less boring, I would highly recommend PreScripts!  It is a great resource at a good price!

PreScripts can be purchased for $12.99.

Other levels available include PreScripts Cursive Letter and Coloring (ages 3-7), PreScripts Cursive Words and Drawing (ages 5-10). and PreScripts Cursive Passages and Illuminations (ages 9- high school).
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