It is shocking to see kindergarteners’ growth! For example, they enter the classroom maybe knowing how to write a few letters and leave writing simple sentences. This means they are working hard on handwriting lessons throughout the entire year. However, there is simply no time for isolated kindergarten handwriting lessons. There are too many standards to teach. Thankfully, these 30 essential handwriting lessons help build stamina while incorporating other learning.
Why Is Good Handwriting Important?
Students will write their entire lives. So, having good handwriting is an essential skill. Otherwise, people will not be able to read anything they read. On top of this, having good handwriting means students can actually write faster without tiring finger muscles. Students are less likely to tighten their hand muscles when writing comes naturally. Good handwriting even helps build the reading and writing center of the brain! While there may be no time for isolated kindergarten handwriting lessons, it is essential that students develop good handwriting.
Handwriting Tips
When adding handwriting to lessons, there are a few key differences. When there is no time for isolated kindergarten handwriting lessons, mindlessly tracing over one letter is out the window! Students will build stamina and fluency through hands-on lessons that keep them actively engaged. Additionally, it is helpful to research strategies. Personally, The Name Ticket Strategy and How Drawing Supports Handwriting Development are so beneficial to any classroom. Lastly, it is crucial to remember that every student will develop their handwriting at their own pace. Most importantly, kindergarteners do not need to feel stressed or overwhelmed during the process, so engagement is critical!
30 Essential Handwriting Lessons
Teachers have no time for isolated kindergarten handwriting lessons. Thankfully, all of these lessons are powerful while combining other skills.
1. Teach pencil grip and build strong finger muscles with playful exercises. Fingerspell a,b,c,d; duck talk with thumb and pointer; touch thumb to each finger; squeeze and release fist.
2. I Always Start My Letters at the Top
3. I Chant (Top to bottom, left to right)
4. I can draw lines: art lesson
5. O Dance (Curve up and around letters: c, o, a, d, g, q, f, s) plus practice page
6. L-o-v-e Spells Love song (Learn 4 basic handwriting movement patterns)
7. Draw a Twinkling Star! (lift-the-pen movement patterns)
8. Draw a Van Gogh-like Star! (continuous path of motion)
9. How to Draw a 5-point Star
10. Some Letters Are Tall/Small/Fall
11. I remember “d” and “b” (A Reading Recovery® lesson with streamers)
12. How to draw and write dog (whiteboard, then paper)
13. How to draw and write cat (whiteboard, then paper)
14. The Spelling Chant and T-h-e e-n-d: The-end! Chant
15. How to Write “y” and “you!” (learn two different language cues)
16. M-o-m Spells Mom, and I love… sentences
17. Celebrate mastery of name writing: Use this Crown Pattern
18. What Does Quality Handwriting Look Like? (Anchor chart)
19. Capital Letters: Lift the Pen Movement Pattern
20. Capital Letters: Continuous Motion Handwriting Pattern
21. This is my house: h-o-u-s-e lesson, plus drawing page
22. There’s a King of “ing”: i-n-g
23. “Make a Book” Sentences: I see the … My Book, by (Also with Skinny Books)
24. I am a Master of Pink Heart Words: Sing, Sign, Spell, and Read! (Use a CD every day for spelling lessons. Make copies of the CD for your families: permission granted!)
25. Fingerspell Everything: Expect Students to ALL become masters. Make an “I
I am a Fingerspelling Expert!” book. Celebrate mastery.
26. Take the a, b, c, d Challenge: Fingerspell and write each letter fluently.
27. I Can Write CVC Words lessons with whiteboards/paper (especially words that begin with p, f, b, and r: less commonly used consonants).
28. I Can Write: r, n, m, and h
29. I Can Write All of the Capital Letters
30. Brain Exercises for Fluency
Be sure to check out Free eBooks! by Nellie Edge and A-Z Kindergarten Handwriting for more fantastic resources!
Thankfully, you no longer have to panic about having no time for isolated kindergarten handwriting lessons. The 30 strategies above help build strong handwriting through engaging, hands-on activities. Students will love seeing their writing grow throughout the year!
