How Do You Approach......

[Guest]

handwriting i.e when do you do it?, how long do you spend on it?, hat kind of activities do you do?

do children practice in formal handwriting books?

I feel we never really approach it correctly.

Many thanks

Lola

[luluj]

Hi Lola,We have HW books as part of whole school scheme however despite planning HW time I invariably 'run over' other things and it hasn't been as consistent as I would have liked. Am going to use the Letters and Sounds planning to 'move forward' (I hope) on this issue (I hope!). Sorry not to be of much help. luluj

[Susan]

Handwriting needs to be taught in its own right. You can teach letter formation as part of letter recognition activities to support your phonic learning but then it should be taught as a skill preferably with daily practise and with an adult. It can not be an independent activity. Pre writing skills are also important, both fine and gross motor movements.

 

I am hoping to have access to the Write dance materials next school year.

[luluj]

Thank you Susan. Have heard of Write Dance on a course but always a million other things to pursue. Judging by FSP scores in this area this sounds worth the time and money. luluj

[Marion]

We use Write Dance for nursery (3-5 year olds) and also Penpals for handwriting (Cambridge University Press)

[Marion]

These might help

letter_formation_jingles.doc

[luluj]

Thank you very much for your pointers, help and time in replying Marion. Am going to look further into Cambridge Penpals and Write Dance. luluj

[Guest]

Hello

 

Thanks for the jingles Marion.

 

We have bought into penpals as a school- I started using it about a term ago with my mixed R/1 class. I really like the big books and the year 1 children have been starting to do joined up writing really well.

[HappyMaz]

This is very interesting to me, from a pre-school perspective. We always tell parents that we don't teach children to write but of course some children are very keen to write even from an early age, and I'm very conscious that bad habits they get into during the pre-school years are very difficult to break when they get to their reception or year one class.

 

The letter formation jingles look (and sound) great - are they designed to be used as part of what I would call 'drilling' exercises (for want of a better, more appropriate description!)? Do you think we could make good use of them in pre-school when helping children form letters correctly? It would certainly help all practitioners and parents support children in exactly the same way when they begin to want to write...

 

Maz

[luluj]

Have just placed an order for Write Dance. At £18.99 a bargain for first stage which is what my kids (and me) will need.Took an executive decision without the Head around. (Hallelujah for that! )And how important I felt! Thanks again for all help and direction. luluj