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Handwriting Problems in the Secondary School
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Handwriting Problems in the Secondary School

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October 2006 | 96 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

'The book fulfils its purpose admirably...[It] should be required reading for all Primary and Secondary headteachers - they lead the policy making in schools' -

Journal of the Writing Equipment Society

 

`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.

 
Introduction
 
PART ONE
 
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

 
 
PART TWO
 
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
 
PART THREE
 
Three Approaches to Handwriting Problems
 
Using the Three Approaches
 
Diagnosis
 
Stage 1: Observation
Postural Problems

 
Letter Problems

 
Tension

 
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

 

'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

Sample Materials & Chapters

Section One PDF


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781412928892
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