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Handwriting Practice SheetsStep One - The Left to Right Writing DirectionThese free handwriting practice sheets are from the Better Letter Primer.
The Better Letter PrimerThe Better Letter Primer is a unique handwriting program which promotes proper letter formation. Program features include:
Step One - Writing DirectionTeach Left to Right Writing
The first step in correct handwriting is orientation to Left to Right Writing (abbreviated L2RW). Students are taught that they write LEFT to RIGHT when forming sentences. They also need to become aware that the majority of letters are also formed in the LEFT to RIGHT direction as well. Preschool L2RW is taught and reinforced using multiple activities including 3-D manipulatives, flashcards, and writing tools. Kindergarten and First Grade L2RW is taught in kindergarten and reinforced as needed in subsequent grades. At the same time, students are usually learning the letters of the alphabet and the way they are combined to make words. Better Letter Primer differs from other handwriting programs by the grouping and order of letters. The order that letters are taught is according to their shapes. Most programs teach the most commonly used letters first; the least used letters last; and the others in the middle. The approach of teaching letters and their phonic sounds in the order of their use is logical. In fact, it is more logical than teaching them in the order used in our program. The Better Letter Primer is most effective in reviewing letters and teaching letter formation. It assumes the student already has some familiarity with the letters and their sounds. These essential alphabet skills are not taught in this program. 2nd Grade and Above It is often assumed that students have mastered L2RW by the time they reach second grade. That assumption is the cause of many students' letter and number reversals. Think about it. We assume they made the correlation between L2RW of most letters simply because they learned L2RW of sentences. But maybe they didn't. Many of the letters have exceptions. Yes, the correct strokes were taught in kindergarten and earlier. But they were so busy learning all of the those strange letters and their different sounds. Not to mention the digits and the mathematical concepts they represent. It's a big assumption to think they mastered L2RW and recognized the exceptions. So, we have a technique described below to teach, review, and master L2RW of letters. The Story of Left to Right WritingUse the blank handwriting practice sheets download at the bottom of this page. You may also use any other handwriting paper you prefer.Right Handed Students Demonstrate sitting in front of the writing paper (landscape orientation) in front of you with each hand at the opposite upper corners of the page. Your thumbs should be sticking out, close to 90% from the angle of the rest of the fingers. Have the student do the same. Ask: which hand makes an "L"? This is your left hand. Do you see where your hand is at the top of the left side of the page. This is home. Which hand do you write with? This is your right hand. You write with the right. (Feel free to explain synonyms and left-handedness if you choose at this point.) When you write, your right hand goes right to the other side of the page. This is the writing direction. Your left hand gets left at home. When you write, the right hand moves away from the left. Left Handed Students Demonstrate sitting in front of the writing paper (landscape orientation) in front of you with each hand at the opposite upper corners of the page. Your thumbs should be sticking out, close to 90% from the angle of the rest of the fingers. Have the student do the same. Ask: which hand makes an "L"? This is your left hand. Do you see where your hand is at the top of the left side of the page. This is home. You write with your left hand because you are left-handed. When you write, your left hand leaves home, and writes towards the right. Your left hand is friends with your right hand and wants to go to visit. Blank Handwriting Practice SheetsYou can use these downloads of handwriting practice sheets to practice Left To Right Writing (L2RW.)
L2RW PracticeIf the student does not know how to write his/her name, teach the first name now.If the student does know how to write their name, have them print it, paying attention to how their hands follow the instructions above. Letter FormationExplain that in addition to your hands, MOST letters also follow the L2RW direction. There are a FEW letters that like to head back home, but we will learn about these later in Step Two: 8 Letter Groups.Return from Handwriting Practice Sheets to The Better Letter Primer Main Page |
Homeschool CurriculumRelax and watch their writing take off!Who said grammar had to be boring?A great strategy for poor spellersA mother's plea, A son's promise
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