Fun with Handwriting

Handwriting has always been something I've enjoyed. My first memory of handwriting is from first grade when I would carefully put my finger between each word to make sure that the spacing was just right. I remember being thrilled to learn cursive writing, but once I learned it the fun was taken away when we were required to write EVERYTHING in cursive! I tried to make my cursive express my own personality (like we discussed in class) but my teachers weren't very appreciative. I think the fact that I was "restricted" in writing the proper way made me dislike handwriting class even more. So, as I grew older I still enjoyed writing, but I made it my personal goal to make my handwriting unique. In reality, everyone's handwriting is unique. I think I just put more time into practice making letters various ways, etc. Maybe I had too much time on my hands...

However, I see myself looking at handwriting quite differently when I think about it from a teacher's perspective. I think that it is very important that handwriting be very neat and legible. The best way to ensure this is to stick with a consistent method of teaching it and requiring students to write the "proper" way. Based on my own experience I didn't think I'd ever have a strong opinion about not letting students write however they want, but now I see the importance. My eyes were opened to the importance last year as I taught my fourth-graders handwriting. Well, actually, I didn't teach them handwriting. I tried at the beginning, but they just stared at me like I was an idiot and informed me that they already learned how last year. So, I basically wrote the assignment on the board and they completed it. (I realize that wasn't the best teaching move...). Yet in checking their assignments, I began to understand why they still have handwriting in fourth-grade and how continuous practice really does make handwriting improve. It is important to first understand the correct way to write and then practice it that way. I like the idea of allowing students the freedom to express themselves with their name though. I think that's a good compromise.

As for how I would like to teach handwriting in the future, I'm still not entirely sure. At this point I would say I'm leaning towards the D'Neilian method because of the easier transition into cursive. I don't remember which method I was taught with, but in looking at my manuscript handwriting today, I'm guessing it was the Zaner-Bloser "ball and stick" method. Unfortunately I can't compare this to Einhorn's because I don't know who Einhorn is. (Sorry if I missed that in class or in the book - I double checked our papers from today, but I didn't discover his name...) It was very helpful discussing the different methods today in class. It is interesting to compare the pros and cons of each and consider which is the best one for the classroom. I also liked the examples from the website that had all of our names on them. Those were fun. :)

As I looked over my lesson plan for Wednesday, I am convinced that I'm definitely going to need some more handwriting practice myself in order to model correctly on a day-to-day basis. Even the simple steps of making a capital E for first graders are different than how I write. So, I guess it's a good thing I like handwriting. I think I'll go practice now. . . :)