Handwriting

P3
Teachers initially teach handwriting using print, as the typeface in books is usually print. Younger children are more familiar with these letter shapes. Teachers should provide both lined and unlined paper and coloured paper to use. Unlined paper gives younger children the freedom to experiment with letter formation Lined paper helps correct orientation, size and formation. Teachers should teach letters in groups, according to the way that they are formed.
E.g. i, t, l; u, y, j; n, m, r, h; c, a, d, g, o, e; b, p, k; s, f; v, w, x, z
Teachers should emphasise the starting point of each letter and correct letter formation when teaching these letters.
FORMAT
Teachers should teach flicks (hooks).
Nelson
Print
Lower case
Introduce flicks
P4
Teachers introduce students to joined letter strings when modelling or discussing their spelling. This reflects the links between letter sounds in phonics and spelling and fits in with the children’s process of language development. Joining letters for “together sounds” means that these sounds are reflected in a “together shape”, e.g. ch, sh, th, wh, ck, qu, ph, oo, ee, ea, oa, ai,
Different joins should be very carefully taught in order to promote a fluent style. The majority of children should reach this stage by the end of P 4. Lined guides can be used when the children are making books or writing final drafts.
The different joins are:
1- Diagonal joins to letters with ascenders eg. ab, ul, it
2- Diagonal joins to letters without ascenders eg. ai,ar,un
3- Horizontal joins to letters with ascenders eg. ol, wh, ot
4- Horizontal joins to letters without ascenders eg. ou, vi, wi
Recommended practice: at least 2 x 15 minutes per week.
In P2 to P5 all students learn the same letter type: Nelson. For this age level, the difference between Nelson and D’Nealian is minimal.
From P5 to P8 the students choose whether they prefer to use the D’Nealian letter format or the Nelson format. We expect that the majority will continue writing Nelson since that is the format taught in previous grades. The choice of the