We use the "Handwriting Without Tears" program for our handwriting curriculum. This is a wonderful program and a welcomed addition to our kindergarten curriculum. With this program we use many tools to learn to write the letters of the alphabet. Right now we are working on upper case letters using multiple tools and learning modalities.
First, we all build letters using big lines and little lines, big curves and little curves. These are smooth wooden pieces. We do this on a blue mat that has a smiley face in the upper left corner. This is how we know where to start our uppercase letters.
* Each child has a small chalkboard with the letter already written on it by me.
* Each child has a small yellow or blue square of sponge which is wet, a small blue square of felt that is the dry, and a piece of chalk.
* All together use the WET sponge to erase the chalk letter saying the verbal path of that letter.
* Then we use the DRY felt to dry the wet letter saying the verbal path of that letter.
* Last use the piece of chalk to write the letter saying the verbal path of that letter.
WET, DRY, TRY and repeat!
The verbal path is the way in which the letter is written.
Lastly, we go to our handwriting books and practice writing the letter (or number) with a pencil in our workbooks.
