Handwriting Problems in the Secondary School

by Rosemary Sassoon

• ISBN13: 9781412928885
• ISBN10: 1412928885
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-11-15
• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd

Summary

'This excellent new text from the handwriting specialist Rosemary Sassoon will be of great interest to secondary school SENCOs and a range of other staff supporting children who are experiencing difficulties with handwriting' - SENCO Update A considerable proportion of pupils leave primary school unable to write well enough to deal with the demands of secondary school. This innovative new book aims to help teachers and SENCOs to work alongside pupils to help them address their own difficulties. The book has three parts: Part one explores the various issues which underpin any discussion of handwriting: letterforms; the pros and cons of handwriting models; how to help children write at speed; writing posture; pens and pen hold; left-handedness; talking to parents; and some of the common causes of handwriting problems. Part two presents a series of examples of handwriting in photocopiable form, aimed principally at the pupils but with full teacher support, designed to show pupils a range of handwriting problems, helping them them to self-diagnose and work towards improvement. Each page offers practical tips and help for pupils with difficulties. All of the photocopiable material is also provided in electronic format on the companion website. Part three sets out a diagnostic technique for teachers to follow, outlining three approaches to tackling handwriting problems: a quick, small-group assessment; providing one-to-one help; and working with a whole class. Each approach is outlined in detail, offering advice on effective observation, procedures to follow in giving appropriate practical help to pupils, and how to assess progress. Part three also offers guidelines for designing checklists, and the role of surveys and research. Authoritative, wide-ranging and full of practical help, this book will be particularly useful for secondary teachers, secondary SENCOs and teaching support staff. Rosemary Sassoon is an independent consultant and lecturer, based in Sevenoaks, Kent. She is the author of Handwriting: The Way to Teach it, Paul Chapman Publishing, 2003.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Issues in Letterforms

Movement

Height Differentials

Two Sets of Letters

Word and Letter Spacing

Other Factors

Handwriting Models

Speed

A Balanced View of Joining

Issues in Writing Posture

School Furniture and Posture

Pens and Pen Hold

Understanding Left-Handedness

Tension

Vision

Other Issues

Presentation

Talking To Parents

Severe Problems Ignored or Misdiagnosed

Handwriting in a Multicultural Context

So You Are Having Trouble with Your Handwriting

This Is How You Can Start

Before You Even Start To Write

What to Do About It and Why

Pen Holds

Hand Positions

Unconventional Pen Holds - Left Handers

Unconventional Pen Holds - Right Handers

Your Hand and You're Writing Position

Paper Position Affects How You Sit and Write

Relax and Your Handwriting Will Improve

Relaxing Scribbles

Practical Tips for Left Handers

Handwriting Is a Pattern

If The Pattern Is Wrong...Alternatives and Other Families

If The Letter Heights Are Wrong

12 Rules of Legibility

Why and When To Join Up

Start Joining In Easy Stages

Top Joins Are Great Time Savers

Repairing Bad Joins and Crossbar Joins

Joins To the Round Group of Letters

Looping At Speed and Fast Personal Joins

Letters and Joins for Left Handers

How Far Can You Go With Letters?

Fast Writing and Slow Writing

Your Slant, His Slant, No Slant

How Much Space Is Enough?

Spiky Letters or Round Letters

Mixed-Up Models

Some Letters Are Too Round

Large Writing and Small Writing

Spot Your Own Mistakes

Unevenly Sized Letters

Where Does One Letter End And The Next Begin?

Are Your Ascenders Too Long Or Too Short?

Are Your Descenders Causing Confusion?

Dealing with Descenders

Are You Leaving Strokes Out?

More Missing Strokes

Exit but Not Entry Strokes

Exit Strokes: A Recipe for Disaster

Capital Letters: Last But Not Least

Three Approaches to Handwriting Problems

Using the Three Approaches

Diagnosis

Stage 1: Observation

Postural Problems

Letter ProblemsTension

Speed

Stage 2: Procedure

Procedure for Dealing with Posture

Procedure for Dealing with Letters

Exercises

Group Therapy

Stage 3: Assessment

Assessment of Improvement

Guidelines for Designing Checksheets

Using Checksheets

Checksheets for Pupils

Marking

The Role of Surveys and Research

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.