Spacing

Goal 

Teaching students to leave spaces between words.

Terminology

• Mr. Spaceman / Finger space: using your finger or a tool to judge the amount of space to leave between words. Other tools you can use include:

Notes

• Using a tool for spacing is a great idea, but the trick is to remember to use it. Providing reminders and sneaking in short lessons about fingers spaces is useful. Consider using ‘sticky back’ Velcro to attach the spacing tool to the desk, so that it can act as a visual reminder.

• If a student is just learning to read, then identifying words or knowing where to put finger spaces can be especially challenging.

Helpful Strategies

• Provide frequent reminders to use the spacing tool (Spaceman, popsicle stick, etc). Try focusing on spaces for one specific printing activity a day (i.e. journal, agenda, literacy centers, etc).

• For children that have difficulty reading or knowing where spaces go during copying activities, provide them with a visual. For example try putting a coloured dot/dash between words on the sample they are copying from. Explain that the coloured dot/dash is a reminder that they need to put a finger space, so every time they see a ‘red dot’ they need to leave a finger space. You can also get them to help identify where the dots (spaces) go by asking them to help you put them where they should be.

• Have the students whisper “jump” or “space” between words.

• Another strategy to help explain the size of space to leave is talking about spaghetti and meatball sized spaces. (i.e. spaghetti sized spaces go between letters and meatball size spaces go between words.

• For older students graph paper can be helpful in teaching space – leaving one box blank between words.