Copywork

I started having Athena do copywork initially to work on her handwriting.  She just started writing in cursive last summer, so she is still working on getting many of the more challenging letters formed properly (especially capitals).  I don't insist on perfection, but I do insist that her work be legible, and I do insist that ALL her schoolwork be done in cursive.

Copywork has become a fun way to introduce enjoyable and thought-provoking quotes and literary snippets into Athena's week.  Or to draw attention to something from a read-aloud or other book we're using.  Sometimes we discuss what she copies and sometimes they are never mentioned again, but it is nice to know that she has been exposed to them in one form or another.

At the beginning, this process was drudgery for her; she would try to rush through and, inevitably, her work would be sloppy so she would have to fix it.  But now she does not mind it.  It certainly isn't her favorite daily work, but she likes to show off when she makes a particularly good letter or word.  She's starting to show pride in her writing instead of hustling through it and not worrying if anyone else can understand it.  Definitely a change for the better.

--Little Miss Crazy