Five Quick Tips for Fitting Handwriting into Your Day
Handwriting does not have to drain your teaching time. It takes only 15 minutes of practice a day for students to develop strong handwriting skills. Teachers can add flexibility to their handwriting instruction by choosing a mix of methods, tools, and materials that work best for their students.
Here are a few quick tips for fitting handwriting into your school day:
1. Cross-Curricular Learning
Handwriting time can serve as a reinforcement to lessons being taught in other subjects. Exercises in the Handwriting Without Tears® cross-curricular handwriting student editions are aligned with grade-level content taught in subjects, such as science and social studies. To save time, teachers can match handwriting lessons to corresponding units in primary subject areas.
2. Interactive Teaching Tools
Interactive teaching tools are not only great for engaging students. They can be a great time-saver during the school day. HITT (The Handwriting Interactive Teaching Tool™) comes equipped with video lessons, music, award-winning animations, and the ability to write on the interactive whiteboard. HITT also works with projectors.
3. Multisensory Tools
Beginning letter learners just entering school are very much accustomed to play and need schedules that allow for substantial periods of playtime. Playtime is a great opportunity to implement play-based learning. Students can exercise motor skills and learn letter and number formation using tools such as the Wood Pieces Set for Capital Letters, the Stamp and See Screen®, and the Roll-A-Dough Letters®.
4. English/Language Arts Infusion
With student literacy being more important than ever, it’s important for students to have an adequate amount of classroom time dedicated to English/Language Arts instruction. Be sure to choose ELA supplements that reinforce good handwriting skills. The Building Writers writing student editions support all primary ELA curricula to provide extra language arts writing practice and they provide line consistency to support the Handwriting Without Tears handwriting student editions.
5. Journaling
The rise of social-emotional awareness within schools has prompted a push for socially and emotionally healthy classrooms. One of the most effective ways to foster healthy and open relationships with students is through journal writing. Journaling is a great way for students to express and reflect on their feelings, which through writing, can be conveyed to teachers in confidence. Journals that support good handwriting skills are the best option for students in need of extra practice.
