Posts

Showing posts matching the search for Magic C

Handwriting Series: Magic C

Image
  There are many ways to teach handwriting. Years ago I was introduced to Handwriting Without Tears. This program uses a variety of means to teach handwriting. I like the language  used including the Magic C. This refers to the letter C as a starting letter for several other letters. Below I will show you how to write the letters using the magic c.  How to practice: Practice for short periods of time 5-10 minutes Make sure your child is seated comfortably with his/her feet on the floor Use a proper pencil grip   https://www.elsorourke.com/2020/10/pencil-grip.html Follow the following steps Write the letter to write in the air Model the letter to practice Trace the letter to practice (3-5 x)using the hat -belt -boot lines  Copy the letter to practice (3-5 x) Write the letter from memory (3-5 x) To practice handwriting you can use a variety of tools to make the letters such as crayons, pencils, markers, water paint, finger paint, or shaving cream. Next time...

Handwriting Series: Left Overs

Image
  Over the past several weeks I have been reviewing letter formation in handwriting. I talked about Magic C letters, letters that all start with the curvature of the letter c. Tall letters all started on the hat line and finished on the boot line.The Trampoline letters all made strokes down to the boot line and back up to the top of the letter. And there were the Fishing letters, they all start on the belt line and go below the boot line. There were only 5 letters left that do not fall in any of those categories the lower case i, e, v , x and z .   Practice these letters, make sure your child continues to use their pencil grip for any handwriting practice. Practice in the same pattern as before.   Make sure your child is  seated comfortably  with his/her feet on the floor Use a proper  pencil grip   Follow the following steps Write  the letter to write  in the air Model  the letter to practice Trace  the letter to practice (3-5...

Handwriting Series: Fishing Letters

Image
  Fishing letters,  are those letters that fall below the boot line when writing. There are only five lower case letters that go fishing. To practice these letters use the same strategies as before (see post on Magic C) : write them in the sky, model the letter for your child, trace the letter, copy the letter and finally write the letter from memory. Before introducing new letters do a warm up with the Magic C letters,   Tall letters,  or   Trampoline Letters  .You can also have some fun making the letters out of play dough, painting them with water colors or finger paint, write them in shaving cream on the kitchen counter or dining table, use chalk to write on the side walk.  My next post will be about the "Left Overs"  the letters we have not talked about. Then the there will a post with a quick review to pull it all together and the final post some thoughts if your child continues to struggle with handwriting.  If you have questions or ...

Handwriting Series

Image
  Why handwriting? Handwriting is becoming a lost art. Even though we do more and more through technology there is still a need to be able to write. To write your name, jot down a quick note or phone number, make a grocery list and not to mention what if the power or internet goes out. The art of writing is also directly connected to the ability to formulate ideas and thoughts whether it is with pen and paper or digital. this is also known as written expression. Children who struggle with the mechanical aspect of writing tend to spend so much more effort on the writing part that it negatively impacts the actual content of their writing.   More children are referred for handwriting intervention. Do these children truly have a writing disability? Sure some children present with dysgraphia or developmental delays affecting their ability to learn to write. Many children however just have not had the opportunity to gain sufficient pre handwriting skills and have not had any fo...

Handwriting Series: Tall Letters

Image
What do we mean by Tall Letters   these are the letters that are written between the   Hat and Boot line  That means all the Capital letters and only some of the lower case letters. All the letters start at the Hat line except for the lower case f, which starts just below the hat line.    How to practice: Practice for  short periods  of time 5-10 minutes Make sure your child is  seated comfortably  with his/her feet on the floor Use a proper  pencil grip   https://www.elsorourke.com/2020/10/pencil-grip.html Follow the following steps Write  the letter to write  in the air Model  the letter to practice Trace  the letter to practice (3-5 x)using the hat to boot lines  Copy  the letter to practice (3-5 x) Write the letter from  memory  (3-5 x) Related Links Handwriting readiness Pencil Grip Pre-handwriting; Drawing Magic C

Handwriting Series: Trampoline Letters

Image
  Trampoline letters are those letters that require you to trace back on the same line to complete writing the letter. This keeps you from having to pick up your pencil and allows for a more fluent and faster way of writing these letters.  Practicing these letters is the same as described in the previous posts, air write, model, trace, copy and write from memory. Use some of the other letters learned in the previous weeks as a warm up.    How to practice:  b - h - m - n - p - r Practice for  short periods  of time 5-10 minutes Make sure your child is  seated comfortably  with his/her feet on the floor Use a proper  pencil grip   Follow the following steps Write  the letter to write  in the air Model  the letter to practice Trace  the letter to practice (3-5 x)using the hat to boot lines  Copy  the letter to practice (3-5 x) Write the letter from  memory  (3-5 x) Handwriting is an important sk...