Handwriting is one of the most crucial skills students will develop in primary school. Targeting Handwriting covers the handwriting curriculum in a clear and structured way, with content linked to Western Australian Strand Outcome Statements. To be competent writers, students' handwriting needs to be fluent and legible. The teaching of handwriting is an essential part of the writing curriculum. Regular practice, three to four times a week, in fine motor skills and in letter formation will ensure the development of good handwriting habits.
These fun and inviting books have well-designed, uncluttered pages for the beginner writer.
Other features of the Targeting Handwriting WA Pre-Primary Student Book include:
- plenty of pre-writing patterning exercises to help practise the basic movements required in letter formation and development of fine motor skills
- each letter has two pages of tracing and tracking exercises with an attractive seahorse character to introduce the positioning of letters within lines
- the letters are also cleverly featured within illustrations as a memory aid for students
- a seahorse character demonstrates the positioning of letters within lines, the number of strokes required for each letter is highlighted and the focus letter is also
- featured within a simple illustration as a memory aid for students
- a handy student reference for pencil grip and paper position is included
- a fun and colourful alphabet is included
As well as continuing to give students two pages of tracing, tracking and independent writing exercises for each letter the Targeting Handwriting Year 1 StudentBook also features:
- lower and upper-case letters in words
- patterning exercises to reinforce basic letter shapes
- two pages of tracing, tracking and independent writing exercises for each letter
- alternative formation for some upper-case letters to assist left-handed students
- a seahorse character highlights the placement of letters within lines
- students trace and write their own letters within lines and also trace and copy simple sentences
punctuation.
- numerals 1-10
- handy student reference for pencil grip and paper position is included on the inside back cover
- fun and colourful alphabet is included on the back cover
The Targeting Handwriting Year 2 Student Book focuses on lower-and upper-case letters, letters in words and sentences, numerals and punctuation.
Features of the book include:
- patterning exercises are included to refresh students' memories
- an assessment page is featured at the end of each section
- two pages of tracing, tracking and independent writing exercises for each letter
- the seahorse character is featured on some sets of lines only as the handwriting scaffolding is slowly removed
- alternative formation is offered for some upper-case letters to assist left-handed students
- students trace and copy words that have a common phonic element or are commonly found in Year 2 spelling lists
- students trace and copy sentences containing the focus letter
- self-assessment exercises are included
The Targeting Handwriting Year 3 Student Bookfocuses on teaching the basic joins.
The book includes:
- diagonal joins, horizontal joins and touch joins
- joining to ascenders
- letters that don't join
- tracking exercises to introduce joins
The focus in Targeting Handwriting Year 4 Student Bookis on consolidation of joining skills, plus:
- speed loops
- printing for labelling
- students begin to assess their own letter size and spacing, spacing between words and slope
Targeting Handwriting WA Year 5 Student Book contains:
- revision
- hints for legibility
- consolidating print script
- fluency and legibility
- presentation ideas
Targeting Handwriting WA Year 6 Student Book contains:
- revision
- print script
- hints for fluent and legible writing
- developing your own style
- presentation ideas
