How is handwriting taught in your school?

Question

I am looking for the different styles and ways that handwriting is taught in primary schools and whether you think it is a good approach.
Also, any ideas on how to spice up handwriting lessons?! Especially for boys.
I am interested in how other countries teach it too.

Answer 1

By hand.

Answer 2

I think it is taught very badly! And I think the worst culprit is the increasing use of the computer. There isn't the same emphasis on needing neat written presentations. Why write when you can print it up on the computer??! It really riles me as this just doesn't work with filling out applications, etc and I am very annoyed that something I was taught properly, and still take pride in , is becoming a dying art form.
A lot of classrooms now have interactive white boards so a lot of lessons are now computer generated so the pupil is seeing the adult writing less and less. There are very few examples to follow.
My children get a sheet of A4 paper with various things written on it which they then copy. There are no teacher led lessons and I am appalled when I see some of the acceptable writing that is displayed on the school walls. Handwriting now seems to have become a 'filler' - something to do to pass the time as the teacher needs a bit of peace, rather that an important lesson that will get them through the rest of their lives.
Bring back the old methods - that's what I say!!!

Edit - but that's my perception! I can only judge on what I see.

Answer 3

I am a teacher and at our school we teach a cursive style from foundation stage (age 4). This is a style which leads to joined writing at a later stage. I think it is effective and means when children learn to join their handwriting they r half way there and it happens more naturally. I make my handwriting lessons more interesting by adding sound effects to the different letters as we write. Sounds mad but kids love it and remember the sounds to help them correctly form letters. Good luck!

Answer 4

To the best of the pupils ability, including spelling, which is corrected by a rubber and re-written by the pupil.
Special needs, 15 years.
To say the least, very badly. There is no emphasis on grammar, punctuation or spelling. If a child has rough hand-writing, they are praised for putting pencil to paper. And rewarded for trying to write.
P.S. Why don't we take a leaf out of the French system, they have hand writing lessons everyday, in cursive script. !!!

Answer 5

Check out this resource on improving handwriting.


Anyone Can Improve Their Handwriting ( CD ROM Movie)
By Jason Alster MSc
Handwriting is a tool for transfer of knowledge and must comply with acquired rules in order to understand what we read. The CD ROM deals with handwriting problems, rules, tips, and exercises. From students who have lower grades and self esteem to physicians who by law have to improve their writing- this CD can help. Based on 10 years experience helping ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia - Jason knows what works to improve your handwriting. Simple techniques, demonstrations - a new way of helping people of all ages improve their handwriting and be proud of their own " work of art"

Product Details

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9659025173/

CD-ROM:
Publisher: Rainbow Cloud (July 20, 2006)
ISBN: 9659025173

Also :Creative Painting For The Young Artist a book teaching the artistic mode of seeing necessary for dysgraphics to learn to paint and draw, painting block, and students who want to be creative with art. An excellent compliment to Anyone Can Improve Their Handwriting.

Answer 6

in Western Australia they are taught something called Victorian Modern Cursive, and they are starting in Kindergarten! The kids learn the letters by looking at them and then practicing tracing over giant dot to dots of the letters. I gather that Victorian Modern Cursive is replacing the old method of learning to print then learning "running writing", LOL. I'm a parent and I can't find any policies, we're finding out as my son goes along!

Answer 7

A local,primary school to me teaches connective writing from reception class!!!! This is where there is a 'tail' at the beginning of the letter so that it is easy to 'connect' it to the next letter when finally they get on to joined-up writing.
On the boys issue - I find that if you give them a piece of text to copy of write they get fed up really easily.... On the other hand if you get them to write silly jokes or funny stories..... they love it!!!!

Answer 8

with a pen?!