I don't really know if handwriting is a topic to be talked about on Management Monday,
but I can make it a stretch, right?
At the beginning of the year, I like to practice handwriting lots and lots {and all year long!}. They have to know my expectations. I make sure that they know how to properly form each and every letter. After they've got that down, I give them some independent practice as fast finishers.
This is how I teach letter formation using handwriting lines {click here to download}:
I laminate this one and have them practice letters while using dry erase markers:
{Click the picture to download}
I copy this one and have it on hand as a fast finisher. They can practice memorizing their color words and handwriting {I have them color the pictures too}.
{Click the picture to download}
I teach them this "b and d song" from Mrs. Stamp for FREE on TpT. :)
{click the picture to go to Mrs. Stamp's TpT}
I have a little sneaky motivator in my classroom that I use to help the students with their handwriting. If I notice that they do a great job and they are really working on forming the letters correctly and taking their time, I will give one student a "Neat Treat"--Well, I actually don't give it to them, I leave it on their desk and the note says that it is from the Handwriting Fairy. The Handwriting Fairy leaves the neat treat on their desk and the student finds it when they come to school the next day. And the crazy thing is...Mrs. Smith didn't even see a thing! They love getting a treat, especially when it's from a fairy! It's an automatic motivator!
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I put the treat on their desk along with some "fairy dust".
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You can get the handwriting fairy tags and MORE in this packet....
25 comments:
I love the neat treat idea! I am totally snagging! =)
Really great ideas! I've always called mine the "handwriting road" because it kind of looks like a road! I always warn them to keep their letters in the correct lanes or there will be a letter pile up.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
This is exactly what I need...LOVE the Handwriting Fairy :)
Love all of this...especially the handwriting house! :) Thanks for sharing!
This year my school is using the FUNdations program for grades K-1. It has a big handwriting component. They name the lines the Sky Line {picture of the clouds and sun}; Plane line {airplane - your window}; Grass line {picture of grass}; and the Worm line {picture of a worm.}
When we instruct the kids to write we discuss what kind of letters they are. For example the letter /t/ is a skyline letter and the letter /m/ is a plane line letter because we begin to write the letter at that specific line.
I like how FUNdations teaches the letters b and d. /b/ is a sky line letter and /d/ is a plane line letter. The kids aren't mixing them up as much because they are really thinking about what kind of letter it is and where to place their pencil when they begin to write.
This is my first time in 12 years of teaching to have a handwriting program to use while I'm teaching. I'm happy that our district is finally taking the time to work on this very important skill!
I can totally use the "Handwriting House' to my 5th graders with their cursive! Thanks Rachelle!
Thanks for all your great ideas!
Love the handwriting fairy! :) Thanks for that sweet idea. The fairy will be visiting my room in the morning, for sure. )
Katy
Kindergarten Katy
This is such a great activity! I really want to use it in my student teaching! Thank you so much for sharing. :)
I LOVE the neat treats!! And I love your blog. Can I tell you about my fun new interactive website for kids K-1? TEACHERSFIRST.com recommends it for the classroom. I hope you can use it in yours!! www.littlelillypolkadot.com
THANKS!
Wendy
Amazing ideas!!! I love the b and d posters with the bat and ball, and the neat handwriting fairy is too cute.
Love your ideas! Thanks!
Love, Love, Love the Handwriting Fairy idea! Thanks so much for sharing!!!!
You are always so clever. For letter like g, j, and q I always say they have a fish hook and have to go swimming down in the ocean! ;)
Lessons Learned
I LOVE the Handwriting House! This is exactly what I needed for my students! Thank you!
The Germans actually have writing notebook template that have this idea. I have used it before and it works very well. Unfortunately we cannot ask parents to pay the 75 cents for the heft (notebook) - it would save the job of creating and using copy paper:)
Thanks for sharing your ideas. I tried the neat treat last year and the kids were really motivated. We don't have desks but our seat back pockets get pretty messy:)
I use the "Sky" "Mountain" "Grass" and "Water" and then if the letter goes into the water (g, p etc.) the kids get to yell "SPLASH" and they LOVE it! This also helps so if a letter goes past that bottom line when it shouldn't they know to fix it because that letter "hates the water".
I couldn't tell from the photo. What kind of treat does the handwriting fairy leave? We are not allowed to reward with food. This is still a lovely idea!
All of these are GREAT ideas! Love them! Do you do any practice with writing numbers? :)
@Mrs. Graham...I give a few treats, but you could give them a pencil or book! They really love anything!
@Teacher...I do have them practice writing numbers at the beginning of the year. We do a booklet called "math whiz" and they write their numbers each day, draw a picture, and write the number word. I wish I had the book to post, but I didn't make it! :(
Hope this helps!
When I taught 3rd grade, I made a "Cursive License" for each of my students... It was like a mini driving license complete with their picture. I laminated them and would present it to them when they completed their handwriting workbook (typically around Christmastime). Until they earned their Cursive License, they could only write in print (unless it was handwriting practice time, of course!). Once they earned their license, they had to write in cursive, but if it got sloppy the license was revoked.
I teach 2nd Grade and do the Handwriting License too! I have them practice handwriting twice a week and I give them a 1,2,3 or 4 depending on how they do. Around Christmas we finish our first handwriting book. If they earned all 4's they get their Handwriting License and don't have to do my 2nd Handwriting book. I revoke it their license too if their handwriting gets sloppy :). It really motivates them! Especially when I give immediate feedback on their work.
Love this and can't wait to share it. I just did a Handwriting House story on my blog. I've shared it for years with my students and they get a kick out of it. I've added a basement and an attic to mine as well. Check it out here:
http://busykidshappymom.blogspot.com/2011/10/keep-handwriting-fun-with-correct.html
I love this idea! I have the exact same problem motivating my students to take the time and pride in their handwriting! Thank you for sharing your brilliance! http://mrsnewpfuninfirst.blogspot.com/
Great ideas, thanks for sharing!!!!
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