Handwriting is STILL important!

Believe it or not, handwriting is still a very important part of learning. It is important students use the correct formation, directionality and placement of letters to help improve writing fluency.

Handwriting in the earliest grades is linked to basic reading and spelling achievement; for example, when children learn how to form the letter m, they can also be learning its sound. Attention to the linkages among handwriting, reading, and spelling skills can help to reinforce early achievement across these areas. Reading Rockets is a wonderful website which has lots of information about the importance of teaching and learning handwriting.

We provide the students with an alphabet desk strip (see below) to refer to during the school day. As the school year progresses the students will learn to place these letters on dotted thirds paper.

I recently found an app called "Touch and Write Australia."
It is a great fun resource which encourages students to practise forming each individual letter, and, even lets you select groups of words to practise writing and spelling High Frequency Words as well!