My daughter has struggled with her handwriting since the first day I started trying to teach her.  I was very excited to receive Peterson’s Directed Handwriting to use with her and review.  This program is different than other handwriting programs, in that it does not involve tracing and copying letters.  Instead, it is based on coordinating the gross motor, fine motor, and visual processing system in order to produce the shapes of writing in rhythmic, fluid motion.  I received the Grade 4 Cursive Writing Curriculum which sells for $38.55 and includes:
• Teacher Handbook with lesson plans
• Student text
• Animated Letter Cards CD ROM
• The Handwriting Songs CD provides music for use as a movement template and "Handwriting Aerobics." Write to the beat for the ultimate challenge to automatic fluency and legibility.
• The Peterson Position Pen provides position reminders aiding efforts to improve a tight cramped grip.
• Table guide to help child position the paper correctly before writing.
I was hopeful that this program would really help my daughter to improve her handwriting and ease her struggles.  But, while I am impressed with the research and theory behind this approach, I really did not care for the materials of the program.  I thought the teacher’s guide and student text were difficult to follow, and I was not sure what I was supposed to be doing with my daughter exactly.  Rand Nelson, the contact person at Peterson’s, is really helpful and available to help you individually, but as a busy homeschooling mom, I feel I need to be able to pick up a program and use it with my children. 
What I did find useful about the program was the attention to and helps for positioning and the focus on fluent rhythm in writing.  This is not something I would have thought of before.  While we will not be continuing with Peterson’s, I think it would be great for a family that is highly motivated to spend structured time on good handwriting, wants help with fluency ,and will avail themselves of the individual help and support that Rand at Peterson’s offers.  Many other Review Crew members loved this program, so please read their reviews which are linked up at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HomeschoolCrew/602433/ .

Contact information:
Peterson Directed Handwriting

http://www.peterson-handwriting.com/
mrpencil@peterson-handwriting.com
http://mrpencil.na3.acrobat.com/meetlive/
800-541-6328