Handwriting
Support the development of handwriting skills that lead to fluent encoding and writing using handwriting resources. Make it easy for students to
- progress from print letter formation to writing cursive words.
- progress from writing words to whole sentences.
Why build students' handwriting skills?
- Set the foundation for fluent writing: Build the fine motor skills required for legible and fluent handwriting.
- Support letter recognition: Enhance the connection between letter-naming and letter-writing fluency by teaching them simultaneously.
The benefits of print handwriting instruction extend to cursive writing by introducing elements such as letter formation, letter size and proportion, spacing, slant, and letter alignment.
How can handwriting resources supplement your instruction?
- Target alphabetic principle skills: Build the bridge between letter naming and letter sounds with practice.
- Explicitly teach the alphabet: Follow the lessons to teach each letter of the alphabet and its corresponding sound(s).
- Incorporate a variety of multimodal activities: Maintain engagement with listening activities, songs, picture cards, books, and practice sheets.
Explicit handwriting instruction has many benefits.
- Writing letters by hand helps children recognize and remember them better.
- When taught alongside phonics, handwriting instruction equips students to become more fluent writers.