We did a very brief lesson on how to learn manuscript, cursive, and touch typing on Thursday. It will become a part of our Mastery menu options starting on Monday. A few years ago, prompted by a parent question, I did some research on handwriting best practices. I'll be honest, I did not become an elementary teacher to teach handwriting but do recognize its importance in student success.
What I found was that best practice, not surprisingly, involves very intensive adult oversight. If a child is forming letters incorrectly, he or she needs correction early in the process, before the muscle memory is formed. I had been handing out handwriting packets, showing children how to form letters and then letting them practice independently. Sadly, it's not that easy. Children need to be supervised as they practice letter formation to make micro-corrections as they work and ensure that they are developing the muscle memories correctly.
For instructions on how to guide handwriting instruction at home, click on the Mastery Matters links to the right, then read the text following "blank handwriting practice sheet" (or read the text below). After a child has mastered a letter's formation repeatedly they are ready to do more independent practice like the workbooks. They can get those materials from me. Also in the Mastery Matters links you'll find a great, free touch typing tutorial, wonderful geography games and more math practice than you can shake a stick at. Have fun! (The geography games are great for us adults, too.)
Have an adult model the letter you are working on in each box of the first row. Then, while the adult watches, write the letter in each box of the row below. The adult will highlight any errors you've made. Trace the corrected letter (their highlight should show the correct form) and then try again in the box below. Once you have created a perfect letter in a box, you are done with that column. Keep moving down the sheet until you have created a perfect letter in each column.
Why do it like this? Here is the information which changed my views on the subject. Instructional Errors and Appropriate Practices
The Rookery 
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