Zaner-Bloser Handwriting and Spelling Programs Adopted By Texas State Board of Education Under Proclamation 2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas State Board of Education has adopted the latest handwriting and spelling programs from Zaner-Bloser, the nation's no. 1 handwriting and spelling publisher, under Proclamation 2011.

"As a former reading specialist for children with Dyslexia and related disorders, I understand the vital role that spelling and handwriting instruction plays in developing essential literacy skills," said State Board of Education Member Geraldine "Tincy" Miller. "Reading is the fundamental skill upon which all formal education depends, and it is critical that all Texas students be given the tools they need to learn to read and write proficiently."

The adopted programs, Zaner-Bloser Handwriting ©2012 for Grades 1-3 and Spelling Connections ©2012 for Grades 1-6, meet 100 percent of the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for handwriting and spelling and will be available for classroom use in fall 2011.

"Zaner-Bloser appreciates the dedication of the Texas State Board of Education to providing Texas students with the most effective, research-based textbooks and materials for systematic instruction in spelling and handwriting," said Zaner-Bloser President Robert Page.

Zaner-Bloser Handwriting ©2012 has been updated with simplified alphabets, more practice, integrated interactive whiteboard technology and Spanish components, among other enhancements. The program is available in both print and online formats, though a print format makes the most sense for handwriting practice, and offers a complete teaching package, including:

• Student books
• Interactive whiteboard digital resources
• Online Zaner-Bloser fonts application
• Blackline master CD-ROM
• Teacher edition
• Practice masters
• Alphabet wall cards
• Alphabet desk strips
• Touch-and-trace cards
• Spanish components

Spelling Connections ©2012 has been updated with differentiated word lists, practice and assessment, interactive whiteboard technology, spelling eBooks, and Spanish spelling components, among other enhancements. Available in both print and online formats, this new program offers a complete teaching package, including:

• Student books
• Interactive whiteboard digital resources
• Online spelling games
• Blackline master CD-ROM
• Word sort CD-ROM
• Audio posttest sentences CD-ROM
• Teacher edition
• Teacher resource book for differentiated instruction
• Spanish components and spelling support for English Language Learners
• Standardized test masters in Texas assessment format

About Zaner-Bloser

Zaner-Bloser, a division of Highlights for Children with more than 120 years of experience in education, is one of the premier publishers of research-based reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, and handwriting programs. The Zaner-Bloser mission is to create and sell high-quality, dynamic, and appealing educational programs and services. Zaner-Bloser focuses on distinctive programs that inspire all students to become engaged, literate citizens.

SOURCE Zaner-Bloser