Handwriting : the way to teach it / Rosemary Sassoon.

Pt. 1. Planning handwriting across the whole school -- 1. The priority for handwriting in the curriculum -- 2. The relationship between the skill of handwriting and other subjects -- 3. When to introduce handwriting in the reception class -- 4. The choice of a handwriting model -- 5. Balancing movement and neatness -- 6. How much emphasis on joining -- 7. Display writing - both by teachers and pupils -- 8. Liaison with pre-school groups, parents and other schools -- 9. A policy for left-handers -- 10. A policy for special needs -- 11. A policy for newcomers from other schools -- 12. Terminology -- 13. Assessment and record keeping -- Pt. 2. Classroom management -- 14. Layout of the classroom -- 15. Balancing whole class instruction with one-to-one attention -- 16. Posture -- 17. Appropriate furniture -- 18. Paper position and its effect on posture -- 19. Penhold -- 20. Materials: pencils and pens, paper size and lines -- 21. Making children aware of the importance of all these ideas -- Pt. 3. A system for teaching letters -- 22. The vital early stages -- 23. The concepts behind our writing system -- 24. Different approaches to teaching -- 25. Explaining the act of writing in a logical sequence -- 26. Introducing letters in stroke-related families -- 27. Teaching the first letter family -- 28. Teaching the second letter family -- 29. Teaching the round letters -- 30. Complex letters and emerging problems -- 31. Name writing -- 32. Designing exercises -- 33. Starting to use letters -- 34. Lines -- 35. Drawing with writing -- 36. Remedial work often begins on day one -- 37. Joining as soon as possible -- 38. Personal letters lead to efficiency and speed -- 39. What handwriting problems may indicate -- 40. Layouts for practice cards -- 41. Recommendations from research into children's handwriting -- 42. Some personal comments -- Pt. 4. A new way of looking at handwriting problems -- 43. Handwriting as a diagnostic tool -- 44. Problems that show through handwriting -- 45. Specific problems for left-handers -- 46. Problems with directionality -- 47. Perceptual problems -- 48. Observing, assessing and dealing with tremors -- 49. Fatigue -- 50. Gaps in learning -- 51. Posture as an indicator, as well as a cause of problems -- 52. An attitude of understanding -- Index.

"This book is an essential classroom guide to the teaching of handwriting. It covers all aspects of the subject, from whole school planning; to classroom management, and the teaching of letters in a highly illustrated and practical sequence, from initial letter forms through to joined writing. ; The author presents many examples and imaginative ideas to make learning to write more effective and interesting for children and for teachers. This new edition includes a section on Special Needs. It deals with complex handwriting problems and how to understand and deal with them.; The author offers strategies for better teaching, and her aim throughout the book is to encourage flexibility and clear thinking about essential issues, rather than to impose solutions."--Publisher description.