Early Elementary Handwriting
The Watertown Public Schools currently utilize the CKLA Amplify and Handwriting Without Tears handwriting programs to further support our early elementary literacy experience.
Watertown Public Schools believes:
Watertown Public Schools believes:
Students' literacy experiences are an integral part of cultivating a joy of learning across all disciplines. The literacy opportunities we provide draw on students' cognitive, emotional, and physical skills on a daily basis. Knowing this, not only do we focus on the 'thinking' work learning demands; we support students as they experience a range of emotions as they tackle increasingly complex texts; and cultivate the physical skills students need to engage in literacy experiences with joy and ease.
Students' literacy experiences are an integral part of cultivating a joy of learning across all disciplines. The literacy opportunities we provide draw on students' cognitive, emotional, and physical skills on a daily basis. Knowing this, not only do we focus on the 'thinking' work learning demands; we support students as they experience a range of emotions as they tackle increasingly complex texts; and cultivate the physical skills students need to engage in literacy experiences with joy and ease.
The early years of school (Pre-K to 2nd grade) are a time to build foundational skills in gross and fine motor movements that strengthen students' abilities to engage in literacy activities like writing and drawing.
The early years of school (Pre-K to 2nd grade) are a time to build foundational skills in gross and fine motor movements that strengthen students' abilities to engage in literacy activities like writing and drawing.
Handwriting instruction provides our students the opportunity to:
Handwriting instruction provides our students the opportunity to:
- Build stamina and motivation to write for extended periods of time
- Build stamina and motivation to write for extended periods of time
- Find joy in written expression to design and create texts as growing authors
- Find joy in written expression to design and create texts as growing authors
- Reinforce productive habits in handwriting such as pencil hold and efficient letter formation
- Reinforce productive habits in handwriting such as pencil hold and efficient letter formation
- Prevent later writing problems, including difficulties with higher-level composition skills or counterproductive habits that can be difficult to change
- Prevent later writing problems, including difficulties with higher-level composition skills or counterproductive habits that can be difficult to change
Devoting instructional time in Pre-K and Kindergarten to handwriting and providing ongoing small group instruction as students move up grade levels is a modest investment that will build a love of literacy in our students.
Devoting instructional time in Pre-K and Kindergarten to handwriting and providing ongoing small group instruction as students move up grade levels is a modest investment that will build a love of literacy in our students.