3 Simple Ways to Make Handwriting Practice More Fun
How to make handwriting practice fun (no tears teaching!)
As a first grade teacher, I understand the importance of proper handwriting technique. I’ve seen the total gamut of pencil grips over the years I’ve spent teaching kindergarten and first grade. I’ve even noticed my dermatologist holds her pen like a T-Rex and was in awe that she was able to write like that. She did tell me that her hand hurts when she takes notes so I’m not sure how she got through so much schooling with a grip like that! If you missed last week’s blog post, go back and read that because I discussed how to teach handwriting with limited time.
Make handwriting fun using animal fact sentences
Make handwriting fun using animal fact sentences
My students love learning animal facts. I decided to incorporate something they love with handwriting so that it would motivate them to not only get their handwriting practice done, but it would be fun in the process. Every day we use a new animal fact handwriting sheet that has guided and independent practice. When I’m showing them what the handwriting practice for the day is during Daily 5, inevitably they shout out “What’s the fact for the day?” If you’re a primary teacher, I highly recommend using animal facts in your handwriting practice to make it more fun!
Use silly sentences
Use silly sentences
Teachers are actors a lot of the time. If we’re not having fun teaching, how can we expect the kids to have fun learning? I love using silly voices and getting into character with my students. Silly sentences make teaching writing so much fun! Right now you can probably think of at least one kid in your class who has a great laugh and makes everyone laugh with their giggles. Silly sentences can be made up on your own and students can write them in their writing notebooks. If your students LOVE animals and silly sentences, check out this activity.
Make handwriting a daily practice
Make handwriting a daily practice
I use the Daily 5 to teach reading stations. I talk about this more in this blog post. I love the Daily 5 because I’m able to get to all of my reading groups each day while my other students are independently working on a task. My students have a new letter each day to work on. I show them how to correctly form the letter during morning meeting and remind them where the worksheet will be located during Daily 5. You can have this be their Work On Writing station or Word Work station. I personally have it as a part of Word Work and once they are finished they may get a choice of their choosing from the word work area. If they don’t get their handwriting practice done during that rotation, then they must finish it during free time right after lunch. This motivates them to get their work done and to do it correctly, because if it’s sloppy, it’s an automatic redo during free time as well.
Handwriting will be fun if you make it fun
No matter what your take on handwriting is, it is a foundational skill that all kids need. We use our hands for our entire lives and fine motor skill development happens early and is crucial for success down the road. I teach the entire handwriting process in Handwriting Fundamentals. The lessons are self-paced with over 30 hands-on lessons! Click here to learn more!
Transform your literacy block in 10 easy steps
If you’re looking to transform your literacy block to grow more independent learners and finally get to all your reading groups on a daily basis, grab my FREE 10 step guide to walk you through the first 10 steps to transform your classroom.