Copywork Resources --Download Your Free Alphabet Copy Book
Use copywork in your homeschool to introduce quality literature and encourage excellent handwriting. You can make this an independent homeschool lesson for your children in their homeschool day. The pages are set out so that you can set an easy rule of "just one page " per homeschool day.
Why is copy work so good?
Many handwriting books ask the child to copy a silly sentence while practicing their writing technique -- what a wasted opportunity! Copywork is more than just bending lines nicely. The aim is to develop good technical skills whilst writing fine literature. Quality copywork uses fine literature, often from great authors with excellent technique. Copy work has been used for centuries and is tried-and-tested. Copy work is useful in teaching spelling, memorisation and dictation.
What did Charlotte Mason say about copy work ?
‘The earliest practice in writing proper for children of seven or eight should be, not letter writing or dictation, but transcription [copy work], slow and beautiful work...Transcription should be an introduction to spelling. Children should be encouraged to look at the word, see a picture of it with their eyes shut, and then write from memory....Double ruled lines, small text-hand, should be used at first, as children are eager to write very minute “small hand”, and once they have fallen into this habit it is not easy to get good writing. A sense of beauty in their writing and in the lines they copy should carry them over this stage of their work with pleasure. Not more than ten minutes or a quarter of an hour should be given to the early writing lessons. If they are longer the children get tired and slovenly.’ Charlotte Mason from Home Education
Handwriting and Copywork Master Packs
When I first heard about copywork I was an instant convert. I had been using newsagent handwriting books because they were so easy to follow but now I looked at the text and realised it was often boring or ridiculous.
I was inspired!
Copywork was a way for me to incorporate handwriting practice with quality literature.
Excellent technique but how do I implement it easily!
After doing copywork daily for a while I was a little burnt out because:
- Finding quotes was becoming time consuming.
- Presenting the text for copywork was often difficult because I would have to type it out or make a mark in the book.
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Following the text from a book was hard for my children because they were always losing their place looking at the book and then copying into their copybook..
Copywork Handwriting Curriculum—A Dream Come True!
One day a friend and I sat at her coffee table dreaming up a handwriting and copywork curriculum that would suit our needs as homeschool mothers Downunder. Today that dream has grown into a reality with 8 copywork titles available in a range of different fonts.
Why are these copywork ebooks THE BEST!
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What Should I Buy?
For a complete handwriting curriculum buy our Copywork Master Pack. If you are wanting a specific ebook look this is the sequence we generally suggest. 1.Blinky Bill Alphabet Book-Foundation Print or Ball and Stick
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Downunder Literature Copywork Master Pack CD is Excellent Value at only $50!
Available in Foundation Font or Ball and Stick. Click on the product link for more information.
Beginning Handwriting
Many children begin learning to write on their own. They may scribble on paper, write nonsense letters, or, like mine did, copy lables on appliances. When the times comes and you feel that they are 'ready' to practice their letters this alphabet copy book can be a helpful in your handwriting tool chest.
Choosing A Handwriting Style- Fonts
Many people ask me, "What font should I use?". I don't like to answer this question because it all boils down to personal preference.
There are many fonts about because there are so many theories on what is the best font to teach. I personally have taught a mixture of fonts on my children and their writing looks good (when they try).
Basically the argument for ball and stick font (also called manuscript) is that this font is the easiest and neatest style for a child to learn and therefore it should be taught. This font is used by some schools in Australia and with LEM products.
Those who oppose teaching ball and stick font style say that this font does not resemble printed writing or cursive (running writing). They argue that when the child is ready to progress to cursive they are usually still mastering reading and teaching a new writing style at this time could hamper the child's progress in both reading and writing. They believe in teaching an italics font-a font that is sloped and resembles cursive. Some even argue that printing should not be taught at all and that cursive should only be taught.
Most Australian and New Zealand schools use an italics font which is called foundation font. D'nelian is a popular version of an italics font used in the US. This font progresses to a foundation cursive.
Click here to download your free Blinky Bill Alphabet Copy Book Ball and Stick
Click here to download your free Blinky Bill Alphabet Copy Book Foundation Font
Download Our Free Downunder Copywork Book Sampler
Our copywork/handwriting resources are available in; ball and stick font, foundation font (we use the NSW version), foundation cursive and foundation cursive looped (advanced cursive). Here is a sample font chart.
Below you can see the different fonts used in Australia and New Zealand. If you wish to purchase these fonts visit School Fonts.
