Writing Fundamentals from Mead

CanCan, 18 July 2010,
Categories: Educational products, Giveaways, Reviews

I teach preschool. It might surprise you to know that more and more children today require occupational therapy and physical therapy to help them get the skills they need to do fine motor activities in the classroom (such as writing or using scissors).

Snapshot_20100711_6 Some theorize that this is because children today don’t spend time outside doing hands-on things like building dirt cities and breaking sticks like kids used to do in the past. Instead, this generation of children plays with pre-molded plastic toys that spring to life with a touch of a button. Or they spend time in front of a screen.

It is with this in mind that I excitedly received samples from Mead’s new Writing Fundamentals line of activity books.

These materials are designed for children in preschool through second grade (and beyond) to build the foundation for handwriting success.

The books are designed to build eye-hand coordination, introduce pre-writing shapes and focus on multi-sensory skills.

Mead Writing Fundamentals were developed in conjunction with a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in handwriting.

The materials are graded into four stages based on age and developmental skills.

“Stage 1” activities focus on cutting, dot-to-dot projects and coloring exercises. Stages 2, 3, and 4 focus on formal handwriting instruction, including letter formation through tracing and writing practice on paper with raised lines.

Jojo loved the Dry Erase Activity Board (for Stages 1, 2, and 3). He “taught” handwriting lessons to his giant Lego figure for a really long time, and was also proud of his own progress as a writer. This activity board includes three double-sized, activity-driven dry erase
boards spiral bound together.

The Snip It! book is a “Stage 1”, with cutting and gluing activities to build fine motor skills in children from preschool to 2nd grade.

Capital Letter Stories (Stage 2, Pre-K to 1st Grade) teaches proper capital letter formation with fun traceable guides and colorful pictures.

The Primary Journal is a "Stage 3" journal with a dotted line writing template on each page that leaves room at the top for artistic expression to accompany the text.

Write-On Wipe-Of Cursive Letters (Stage 4, 2nd grade and up) has colored steps and directional cues to help with proper letter placement and size. You can use dry erase markers or erasable crayons.

Snapshot_20100718_4

I think these books are fun and well done. Go, Mead!

Writing Fundamentals are available nationwide at Walmart, Target, and Staples.

Enter to win your choice of 6 products from the following list:

Path Quest

Snip It

Shape Builders Learn to Draw

Dry Erase Activity Board

Capital Letter Stories

Write-On, Wipe-Off Lowercase Letters

4-in-1 Learn to Letter

Idea Builders

Primary Journal

Write-on, Wipe-off Cursive Letters

1.) To enter visit the Writing Fundamentals product page and leave a comment on this post telling me what product you are most interested in and why.

One winner will be chosen at random.

2.) Email subscribers get an extra entry for as long as their subscription is active.

Already a subscriber? Leave me a separate comment on this post to let me know you’re interested in this giveaway.

Want to subscribe? Just click here: Subscribe to Mom Most Traveled by Email (Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)

3.) Twitter about this giveaway (include a link to this post, hashtag #WritingFundamentals and@MomMostTraveled ) and comment here with your Twitter name. (once daily)

4.) Follow @MeadEarlyLearn on Twitter and send a tweet that includes “I’m following @MeadEarlyLearn thanks to @MomMostTraveled” (1 entry)

5.) Blog about this giveaway, including a link to this post. Leave me a comment with the link so I can check your post!

This contest will close on July 28, 2010 midnight CST.

This giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only. Winner must not have won a Writing Fundamentals prize pack within the last 60 days.

I received the books mentioned in this post from Mead to facilitate this review.

Technorati Tags: review,giveaway,Mead Writing Fundamentals,Mom Most Traveled,writing practice,preschool workbooks

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Comments

94 Responses, Leave a Reply

1 sandra
19 July 2010, 5:50 am

i am most interested in the Mead Snip It because the kids love to use scissors and this would be such fun for them
2 sandra
19 July 2010, 5:51 am

subscriber
3 ConfessionsMom
19 July 2010, 6:01 am

I’m most interested in the CustoMYize student planner. My oldest has been telling me she wants a planner this year and that would be perfect.
4 ConfessionsMom
19 July 2010, 6:02 am

I’m already an email subscriber.
5 ConfessionsMom
19 July 2010, 6:05 am

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/ConfessionsMom/status/18910733648
6 ConfessionsMom
19 July 2010, 6:06 am

http://twitter.com/ConfessionsMom/status/18910733648
7 Tomi
19 July 2010, 7:56 am

I would love to try the Mead® RediSpace™ Transitional Notebook Paper. I didn’t know Mead had so many different writing products. AWESOME!
8 Tomi
19 July 2010, 7:57 am

I’m an email subscriber. WooHoo!
9 Tomi
19 July 2010, 8:03 am

I tweeted. http://twitter.com/3Boys_OldLady/status/18917690248
10 Jo
19 July 2010, 10:09 am

I am most interested in Snip It! so that my 3 year old can get practice with scissors before preschool in the fall
strezo@sbcglobal.net
11 Jo
19 July 2010, 10:10 am

email subscriber
strezo@sbcglobal.net
12 diego
19 July 2010, 12:53 pm

I definitely will try those fundamental. Seems like a great program So far I am using with my 1st grades http://www.Fonts 4 teachers.com It is working well but as children grow they need more challenging stuff.
13 Ann Williams
19 July 2010, 1:38 pm

I would be interested in the primary journal as I am homeschooling my 1st grader and this would be perfect for some writing exercises.
14 Ann Williams
19 July 2010, 1:40 pm

I am an email subscriber
15 Ann Williams
19 July 2010, 1:42 pm

Following mead: http://twitter.com/anncrabs/status/18939318975
16 Ann Williams
19 July 2010, 1:44 pm

Tweeted! http://twitter.com/anncrabs/status/18939430364
17 Steph
20 July 2010, 9:04 am

I am most interested in the Mead Lowercase Letter Stories. My 4 yr old daughter has a tendency to write in all caps so this would be great practice for her. We use the Mead Primary Journal: Half Page Ruled and the Learn To Letter Tablet and I can tell you they are both fantastic.
18 Steph
20 July 2010, 9:06 am

Tweeted

http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19000270188
19 Amber G
20 July 2010, 9:31 am

I’m most interested in the composition notebook for my daughter because she loves writing stories!
20 diego
20 July 2010, 10:46 am

Definitely looks better than the program I am using http://www.Fonts4Teachers.com I am changing gears here and spread the word in my district. The lowecase Letter Stories look really good.
21 Stephanie V.
20 July 2010, 6:26 pm

Mead® Snip It™ because it refines fine motor skills
tvollowitz at aol dot com
22 Stephanie V.
20 July 2010, 6:26 pm

I subscribe
tvollowitz at aol dot com
23 Steph
21 July 2010, 3:48 am

Daily Tweet

http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19064840781
24 Sharon Harmon
21 July 2010, 4:44 am

I would love to have th cute’n cuddly Mead® Purrs and Grrs® Notebook!
25 marge mckoen
21 July 2010, 11:57 am

the mead snip It would be great for my 2 toddler grandsons
26 Kristi C
21 July 2010, 2:03 pm

I would most like the Mead Snip It because my son really wants to start using scissors by himself.
27 Monique Rizzo
21 July 2010, 3:46 pm

I am interested in Snip It for my daughter to learn.Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
28 Jessica H.
21 July 2010, 5:39 pm

I am most interested in the the Snip It book as both of my girls are weak in their cutting skills and this would help them improve!

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com
29 Jessica H.
21 July 2010, 5:40 pm

I am an email subscriber!

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com
30 Jessica H.
21 July 2010, 5:42 pm

I shared on twitter, screen name: girlygirlugh
http://twitter.com/girlygirlugh/status/19114604543

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com
31 Jessica H.
21 July 2010, 5:44 pm

I follow Mead on twitter and tweeted the second tweet!

Screen name: girlygirlugh

http://twitter.com/girlygirlugh/status/19114678072

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com
32 bonnie
22 July 2010, 4:53 am

One of my favorite products that we use is the
Mead® Learn To Letter with Guidelines.
My boys are 4 and 7 and these books would be very helpful.
33 bonnie
22 July 2010, 4:53 am

email subscriber
34 Steph
22 July 2010, 5:03 am

Daily Tweet

http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19246209095
35 Denise S
22 July 2010, 8:42 am

I like the Mead® Purrs and Grrs® Notebooks. My kids love pets.
36 Denise S
22 July 2010, 8:43 am

I’m an email subscriber
lazybones344 at gmail dot com
37 Jessica H.
22 July 2010, 9:11 pm

Daily tweet:
https://twitter.com/girlygirlugh/status/19306613118

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com
38 Steph
23 July 2010, 5:07 am

Daily Tweet

http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19330674919
39 Christine
23 July 2010, 2:49 pm

I like the capital letter stories because we are working on writing skills now
40 Christine
23 July 2010, 2:50 pm

I am an email subscriber
41 Steph
24 July 2010, 6:31 am

Daily Tweet

http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19417588275
42 Letessha
24 July 2010, 4:26 pm

I am most interested in shape builders learn to draw because I have a child with autism and he really could use some extra practice in drawing skills.
43 Letessha
24 July 2010, 4:27 pm

I’m an email subscriber.
44 Letessha
24 July 2010, 4:29 pm

I follow meadearlylearn in twitter/tweeted

http://twitter.com/dahliamomma/status/19450569959
45 Letessha
24 July 2010, 4:31 pm

Twittered the giveaway.

http://twitter.com/dahliamomma/status/19450716995
46 Amanda D.
24 July 2010, 11:12 pm

I’m interested in the
Real Simple Flexible Planning Calendar

because I’m a teacher and I could use this to help me organize and plan at school.

macd9900 at gmail dot com
47 Steph
25 July 2010, 5:20 am

Daily Tweet

http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19489896992
48 Francine Anchondo
25 July 2010, 3:39 pm

I like the Learn to Letter with Guidelines it would help my daughter with writing.
49 Jessica H.
25 July 2010, 8:54 pm

Daily tweet:
https://twitter.com/girlygirlugh/status/19541132269

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com
50 Steph
26 July 2010, 5:16 am

Daily Tweet

http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19565731457
51 Abhishek Duggal
26 July 2010, 6:09 pm

I’m most interested in the Cambridge® Limited Business Notebook – Action Planner® because it would help me stay organized!
52 Jessica H.
26 July 2010, 8:00 pm

Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/girlygirlugh/status/19620035150

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com
53 Steph
27 July 2010, 4:33 am

Daily Tweet

http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19646707772
54 jengd
27 July 2010, 5:58 am

I like the Snip It and Dry Erase Activity Board because I think we’d get the most use from these.
55 jengd
27 July 2010, 5:59 am

I subscribe to you
56 Annmarie W.
27 July 2010, 6:44 am

I would love the Primary Journal for my son…because he needs to work on composing and I think this tool would make it more fun for him!
57 Annmarie W.
27 July 2010, 6:47 am

I subscribe via email!
58 Annmarie W.
27 July 2010, 6:49 am

I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/19653844603
59 Annmarie W.
27 July 2010, 6:50 am

I follow MeadEarlyLearn on twitter & tweeted your message: http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/19653911059
60 Kathy Scott
27 July 2010, 7:29 am

Learn to Letter with Guidelines would be nice.
61 Kathy Scott
27 July 2010, 7:33 am

email subscriber
62 Kathy Scott
27 July 2010, 7:36 am

http://twitter.com/idahomom7/status/19656945807
following mead
63 dddiva
27 July 2010, 8:34 am

Snip It - Ian loves to try to cut so would be great for him.
64 dddiva
27 July 2010, 8:35 am

subscriber
65 nan lara
27 July 2010, 9:52 am

i like snip it..my son really wants to learn how to use scissors..i think it would be a good way for him to learn safely
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
66 nan lara
27 July 2010, 9:52 am

e-mail subscriber
67 Louis
27 July 2010, 5:35 pm

I really like the Five Star Advance® Notebook because of it’s design
68 Louis
27 July 2010, 5:35 pm

I subscribed to your feed via mail (same as in my profile / this post)
69 Louis
27 July 2010, 5:38 pm

here is my tweet
http://twitter.com/rosidentevil/status/19695221389
70 Louis
27 July 2010, 5:39 pm

following MeadEarlyLearn on twitter at rosidentevil
http://twitter.com/rosidentevil/status/19695300141
71 april yedinak
27 July 2010, 8:59 pm

I like the Mead Primary journal. What a great way to get kids writing and it will make a nice keepsake.
72 april yedinak
27 July 2010, 9:00 pm

I subscribe by email.
73 Jessica H.
27 July 2010, 9:05 pm

Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/girlygirlugh/status/19708185271

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com
74 julia
28 July 2010, 4:36 am

like the Idea Builders™ because it’s a great tool for imagination
75 Steph
28 July 2010, 6:01 am

Daily Tweet

http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19735057074
76 Amy Delong
28 July 2010, 7:53 am

would like the customyize student planner,would be great for my son who needs to be organized!

ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
77 Amy Delong
28 July 2010, 7:53 am

subscribe
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
78 cynthia layton
28 July 2010, 7:58 am

the dry erase since my daughter is still rather young
79 susan smoaks
28 July 2010, 1:27 pm

i am most interested in the Mead® Recycled Notebook because i love that it’s recycled
80 susan smoaks
28 July 2010, 1:27 pm

i am an email subscriber
81 arla
28 July 2010, 5:10 pm

Calenders- cause I need z, I forget the day it is pretty often
82 arla
28 July 2010, 5:11 pm

Im Subscribed
83 Randy Bailey
28 July 2010, 5:34 pm

I am most interested in the write on, wipe-off cursive letters because as of lately my oldest granddaughter has been trying to practice on her cursive letter writing skills
84 Randy Bailey
28 July 2010, 5:44 pm

Email Subscriber
85 Randy Bailey
28 July 2010, 5:45 pm

Tweet

http://twitter.com/pkbailey01/status/19779843281
86 Randy Bailey
28 July 2010, 5:49 pm

I twittered that i am following mead on twitter thanks to you

http://twitter.com/pkbailey01/status/19780129578
87 Randy Bailey
28 July 2010, 5:50 pm

I tweeted this giveaway

http://twitter.com/pkbailey01/status/19779843281
88 amy d
28 July 2010, 7:43 pm

mead snip
any16323(at)gmail(dot)com
89 Gloria M.
28 July 2010, 7:54 pm

Upper Class® Student Planner is something I’m most interested in for kids to keep track of their homework and tests, etc.
90 Gloria M.
28 July 2010, 7:54 pm

Email subscriber
91 Jessica H.
28 July 2010, 8:08 pm

Daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/girlygirlugh/status/19789269270

girlygirlugh at gmail dot com
92 Lisa L
28 July 2010, 10:12 pm

I like Snip-It, my niece has trouble using scissors so this would be helpful
93 Lisa L
28 July 2010, 10:12 pm

I’m a subscriber
94 Winners | Mom Most Traveled
30 July 2010, 11:22 am

[...] to comment 17, Clarissa. Mrs. Wages Salsa Mix ends 7/27 congrats to comment 63, Annmarie W.! Mead Writing Fundamentals ended 7/28, congrats to comment 84 Randy Bailey! Stretch Island Fruit Co. (2 winners) ended 7/29, [...]