Handwriting Jane Warren Education School

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

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

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.

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… 5

Dictation A ‘Spelling Made Easy’ dictation before and after….. Dictation can be used to practise the skill of handwriting without content concerns.

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

Resources Younger learners     Older learners  pen-for-your-hand/ pen-for-your-hand/  Sassoon, R. (2010) Improve your handwriting. London: Teach Yourself. 8