Handwriting

1. Handwriting Jane Warren jcw12@soton.ac.uk Education School

2. Fine Motor Skills/Handwriting • Teach and model fully cursive script from the start • Teach finger use for word spacing • Use pencil grip/ triangular pen/pencil • Make free flowing pens available (fountain pens can impede flow of writing and prove fiddly for some pupils) • Allow use of coloured pens if suitable for task (can help with organisation) • Use clipboard to anchor paper • Blu-Tack paper to desk/surface

3. Correct pen grip For a right-hander (diagram) and left-hander (photo)

4. Handwriting patterns These eight patterns form the basis of all letter shapes. • Use them with chalk/paint/crayons/plasticine/wire etc; • Try them large/small - on lined/plain/textured/poster size/ ‘sentence strips’ paper • use in playground (if allowed) • create border margin around writing paper and use patterns on them to ‘frame’ work.

5. Good practice in handwriting • Avoid pupil copying from board. Either use a desk copy or get pupil to read notes to TA who scribes for her/him • Use colour markers for starting point on paper e.g. red margin on left side (or ‘traffic lights’ green to red) • Check for correct pencil grip at regular intervals, reward. • Check correct sitting position, reward. • Ensure elbow room is adequate. • Ensure chair height is suitable for desk. • Multisensory methods for letter formation e.g. sand tray, ‘Rol’n’Write’, stencils, air writing, on desk, with water, paint, chalk, crayon, washing-up bottles…

6. Dictation A ‘Spelling MadeEasy’ dictation before and after….. Dictation can be used to practise the skillofhandwritingwithout contentconcerns.

7. More handwriting tips • Use sloping surface (especially if left-handed) such as an A4 folder turned sideways • Use lined paper or guidelines for plain paper • Use right angle e.g. edge of desk, easel, to line up • Leave a line between writing lines • Use squared paper for columns e.g. maths • Encourage firm hold with non-writing hand • Use special handwriting paper for correct placement when practising handwriting

8. Resources Younger learners • http://www.nha-handwriting.org.uk/ • http://www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk/kids_help.html • http://www.debbiehepplewhitehandwriting.com/index.html • http://www.cursivewriting.org/debbie-hepplewhite-handwriting.html Older learners • http://www.tigerpens.co.uk/blog/thick-or-thin-choosing-the-right-pen-for-your-hand/ • Sassoon, R. (2010) Improve your handwriting. London: Teach Yourself.