|
 
Overview of the Handwriting Programme
This specific form of cursive handwriting
was developed by Paula Morse over a period of
ten years at the Kingston Reading Centre, Kingston Upon Thames for use
with the Kingston TEACHING READING THROUGH SPELLING Programme. It is based
on that used by Kathleen Hickey and is a modified 'Palmer' style which has
been further adapted at the Reading Centre. It is now in widespread use
and is easily adaptable to
styles already used in school.
The scheme provides a well thought out progression of teaching from basic
pattern to joined writing. Each letter of the alphabet has an 'approach
stroke' and 'carry-on stroke'. This means that letters can be joined as
soon as the pupil has learned two or three letters. The style is fully
cursive, with looped descenders, each letter being initially taught from
the baseline. At the introduction of each letter a sound symbol
relationship is established as an aid to both spelling and reading.
This specific kind of cursive handwriting has particular benefits for
children with spelling and reading difficulties.
 |
It is an integral part of the multisensory technique enabling pupils to
make the automatic symbol-sound relationship for spelling.
|
|
It aids the left to right movements through each word across the page. |
|
Pupils can complete
a whole word without lifting the pen from the paper. Thus it helps sequencing and prevents reversals, inversions and omissions. |
|
It aids legibility,
especially for those with motor and spatial difficulties, providing
a motor training programme
|
|
It will eventually help pupils to increase the speed of their writing. |
|
It helps some pupils link
the spoken word and the written symbol for the first time.
If the sound is taught correctly they can actually write down
exactly what they are saying, in the order they are saying it, and
spell regularly spelled words correctly.
|
The handwriting programme
comprises of three books. There are two books of worksheets and a third
book which serves as a teachers' guide. A description of the
contents of each book is given elsewhere in this website.
|
