Criteria for assessing handwriting
A large part of any assessment of the quality of
handwriting is likely to be subjective, but there are criteria for assessing the
quality of handwriting, and it is important to foster in the
children an understanding of these criteria.
The main criteria for assessing handwriting are:
- Is it formed with the correct grip and the correct basic
movements?
- Is it written fluently and rhythmically ?
- Is it legible ?
- Are the letters the correct shape and size ?
- Are the slopes of the letters right and consistent ?
- Have the letters the correct relative height ?
- Is the inter-letter spacing appropriate ?
- Is the inter-word spacing appropriate ?
- Are the joins the correct shape
- Are the slopes of the joins correct and consistent ?
Significant faults
- Faulty pencil grip – the pencil is gripped too tightly
and the pupils then have difficulty in producing rhythmic smooth writing.
Crooking of the forefinger is often a sign that the pencil is being held too
tightly. The cure is to make the pupil hold the pencil with the thumb and middle
finger and merely rest the forefinger on the pencil.
- Incorrect formation of letters
- Reversals and inversions
Underlying problems
- Lack of confidence
- Specific learning disability
General strategies for corrective teaching
-
Demonstrations
and instruction – provide additional and repeated demonstrations and
instruction. Such additional practice may be best organised for individuals and
small groups so that close supervision is possible
Sequence of preparatory writing activities
- Writing movements using paint brushes, felt pens or chalk
- Scribbling exercises with a pencil
- Recognising shapes and filling in outlines with coloured
pencils
- Rhythmic writing exercises to counting, music and rhymes
- Writing movements with pencil, making elements of letters,
figures and patterns
- Copying of letters, words and sentences
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