Printing is an important skill that reinforces phonics instruction. It also helps to develop fine motor skills with children, and this eases written communication along with having other fine motor benefits.
In class, we will be using a program called "Handwriting Heroes" to encourage proper letter formation. While making printing and writing easier, it will also help to prevent or correct letter reversals.
We will be starting with the lowercase letters, sorting them by their first stroke and practicing them in their “group”. This is a highly effective way of learning to write the letters, as the repetition of the same continuous motion from one letter to the next builds motor memory and promotes rhythmic writing.
With multiple strokes in common, they are easily sorted into four kinaesthetic groups. A fifth group will be created for the "oddball" letters that share at least one of these strokes with the other letters.
To go with the program, there are videos which we will be watching in class. Unfortunately, these videos are no longer available to view online.
When students do not form their letters correctly, it can take them longer to write and it can make it harder to read what they write. Plus, they can get so focused on the act of writing and forming their letters that content in written work can suffer and the entire writing process can become frustrating and overwhelming.
**If you would like extra practice pages for home, please let me know through email or through a note in your child's agenda. Thank you.