Dear Friends,

As we begin this new year, we face the toughest economic challenges of our times. It’s affecting our schools with budget shortfalls, personnel cuts, growing class sizes, and the challenge to use our now more limited resources wisely to best educate our children. This is the reality of today’s financial landscape. At the same time, there is excitement about education, and the willingness of parents, educators, and the community to assume responsibility for educating children.

We want you to know that HWT can help you bring the best to your classrooms with affordable training, the best curriculum for less than our competitors, and free resources. Regardless of your budget, you don’t have to sacrifice essential instruction. I invite you to take advantage of all the resources we have available for you.

Check out the downloads in this newsletter, try the free activities and teaching tools on our website, or sign up for a free training webinar. Check back frequently because we are always expanding our offerings. We stand by our commitment to provide the best educational materials at the lowest possible prices. A good education is the one thing that we simply cannot afford to sacrifice.

Jan Z. Olsen

© Handwriting Without Tears Inc., 2009.

In this Issue

 Between the Lines — Best Practices

Integrated Approach Spells Easy Learning for Key Elementary Kindergarteners
Key Elementary, a Blue Ribbon public school in the District of Columbia, has beaten the odds. Learn how integrated instruction and core skills have spelled success for one kindergarten class.

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 The Grip — Unique Instructional Tools & Strategies

Innovation & Integration in the Classroom: Doing More with Less
As time and budgets become tighter, educators are getting more creative about meeting curriculum and testing standards.

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  Ask Jan — Q&A

Jan responds to a reader's question about the importance of always starting letters and numbers at the top.

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 The Write Stuff — Classroom Tips & Ideas

Get your grade-appropriate activities for teaching sentence skills based on the three stages of learning.

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 Level 1 Certification

Become a Handwriting Without Tears Certified Handwriting Specialist!

Find an HWT Level 1 Certified handwriting specialist in your area

Level 1 Resources for Certified Professionals