Today I learned to play BLINK! Wow, what a fun card game!!! It really is the "fastest card game" in the world. The box says ages 7 and up, but I played it with my 5yo and we both had a great time. Seriously. It is F-U-N and fast! Takes about 2 minutes to play a game (or faster). You can count it as your math or critical thinking for the day. :-)
Did y'all read The Homeschool Minute last week? I really appreciated the handwriting theme...it is exactly what Dash has been struggling with this past year (okay, really since the very beginning of our homeschooling journey). I never understood why his handwriting was bad, especially since he tried SO hard. Tank, who is 5 years old, even has waaay better handwriting! The tears, complaining, dawdling and whining were too much for us. It made every day a misery...at least any day that required very minimal writing.
It took a lengthy but extremely interesting conversation with Nancy to realize that it all goes back to his grip. His incorrect grip. Since then, we've tried several different grips for his pencil to help retrain his hand and make a new (and proper) habit of holding his pencil correctly-- currently, the boy puts his thumb and THREE fingers onto his pencil. Uhhh...son, that is why your hand is hurting!
Anyhow, the foam grip didn't work. The triangle was uncomfortable. And then Nancy recommended the Stetro Grips in the Homeschool Minute. I cringed at the cost...especially the cost of shipping! But desperate times call for desperate measures. I ended up ordering the bag of 100. Yup, 1-0-0. After all, you never know when you might lose a few, need some for the next kid or (as in this case) have some friends that might like to try one before they order a bag of 100 and have to pay over $6 for shipping! I must say, they are nice! I really wish I had this a few years ago-- it totally makes sense and forces your hand to hold the pencil the right way.
So dear friends, if you have a child struggling with a proper pencil grip and would like to try this really cool pencil grip, just send me an e-mail with HSB pencil grip (or something similar) in the subject line, along with your full name and mailing address. I will be more than happy to send you one or two grips in the mail, free of charge-- so long as you don't mind it coming in a generic, non-padded envelope. Oh, and I guess this offer is good for a limited time, while supplies last, yada, yada, blah blah blah... Let me know if you need one or two.
Wow, this is the first school-ish post I've written in a very long time. I should make this more of a habit, don't ya think?
20 comments:
Yes these grips are great - if you are right handed! We bought some while we were in the states for our struggleing writer (who just happens to be left handed) and then found out that they are molded in such a way that they only work with the right hand! So we are using them with Monkey who is right handed and just starting to learn to write letters. I figured that it will help him prevent problems - right? Just thought I'd add my two cents! :-)
when i saw the title of your post ' Blink " in my mind, i read, Bikini.... thanks for not posinig for us in your bikini. i am quite sure Mr. Mellow would like to keep those visuals all to himself. plus, the rest of us would have to start conspiring to kill you and your perfect self.
PS the comment you left on my blog made me LAUGH (as usual). I hope your head is feeling better soon. hahahhahahahaha
When Little Bit first started writing he would hold his wrist up in the air all twisted and such. The weirdest thing. We tried some regular pencil grips and they helped, he holds his pencil more normally now. He's a lefty (just like his mom and brother).
Hope they work for ya,
Christine
YES! Anything to help our boys. Remember, once again, boys small motor skills don;t kick in till much later then girls. General rule. Some are the exception, but.....
And the post about the 10,000 prize. Priceless. I love the moments like these. I always wonder how much of them I would miss if htey were in school.
AND have you ever seen the game Slamwhich? John picked it up at WalMart, and he and Samuel are laughing so hard while playing it, I need to try it. It has become an every night after dinner game. lol.
Be good!~ madeleine
It was so great to talk to you that day. Isn't it so cool how even though we are miles and miles apart, we can connect because we're trying to teach these guys how to write? I'm so glad that the info & grip is helping your boys.
We had a ton of feedback on that issue of THM. I bet a lot of folks were going to those sites and ordering pencil grips. :o)
Sometimes you've gotta bite the bullet and buy the expensive stuff, huh? I was that way with math. I didn't care WHAT the manipulatives cost....just help my kid with fractions! And the more things I had to use, the quicker he got it.
handwriting doesn't plague us here currently, thank goodness! But, it did years ago for my left handed son. His handwriting was pretty sketchy. When I introduced cursive to him, voila....a miracle. He needed the flow. And the grip thing? I tried all the grips too. Finding one that works is the key. Hooray that you found one! Even with $6.00 shipping.
i enjoy your educational posts! but i love the funny ones too.
Thanks for the tip...it's nice to find something that works...but kinda stinks when it's not a thifty price. I enjoy reading your posts...sorry I'm kind of MIZ on the email scene...but I did what you said about turning on the RSS??? If it didn't work let me know...I am not the smartest person re: blogging....
Pull two aside if you can mail to Canada , (0=. Let me know if you will. My last post might interest you. (0=
God Bless my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
Forget my kids, I think I need one of those things! I hold my pencil very strangely, but interestingly enough my handwriting is actually pretty good. My kids have beautiful handwriting, so obviously I did a better job teaching than learning in this instance. I think I'll blame my own bad habit on my public school kindergarten teacher who hated me. Yep, that's the problem.
They do work for left handers, but you have to put them on upside down. It reverses the grip! Just a tip.
Sorry I haven't stopped by in awhile.
Thanks for your comment. That was the dress I wore to coie's party!
I am hosting a contest! Stop by my blog for details! If you'd like to enter...
Jocelyn
Hi Marsha! I was thinking as I was reading your post, "Wow, I would love to figure out how to help my 13 yo son who has never held his pencil right, but 100?? There's no way!" So thanks bunches - I'll be sending you an e-mail! Blessings! Karen
Oh, if only I had known about these years ago! My youngest son learned to hold his pencil in ***GASP**** public school! He has never held his pencil right and it was so frustrating for both of us, that I just decided he had good penmanship and I let it go. It still bothers me, but at 16 years old, I think it would be almost impossible for him to relearn. I'm so glad you found these!! Awesome! I always love to come to your blog - you're so funny and sweet! Have a great weekend!! Love, Julie
I am slow to respond to this but finally got around to sending you an email. Thanks for your generosity!!
I would love to try that for my son. I have sent you and e-mail.
Have a wonderful weeekend!
Maria
I gave you a thinking blog award! Congrats!!
Have a great vacation/break, or whatever you call it!
I ended up taking the afternoon off yesterday, and I'm not stressing too much about it.
Blessings,
Karen
You have convinced me that I need those!
Hello! I really enjoy your blog! I'm still very new to blogging. I have 3 boys too. 2 of my boys have terrible handwriting. I have been told by the Dr. that I should get these grips for the pencils. The local school supply store didn't have them. Your post is really a blessings. I sent you email.
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