My Little Addiction

Yes it's true.  I'm a little obsessed.  My name is Tammy and I'm addicted to nice handwriting.  Yes it's also true that I want my kids to show pride in their handwriting.  I'd really like the world to be able to read the amazing things these young writers can write.  The good news is that I don't have to spend a lot of instructional time on it and come January, I can integrate it in a meaningful way into what I'm already doing.

Here's my handwriting timeline for the year:

August and September - 15 minutes a day on whiteboards
October, November, December - 20 minutes once a week with direct instruction  
January through the end of the year - 10 minutes a day using chat books (click here to read about them)


Each child keeps a handwriter's license in their chat book.  If they use their best handwriting in their chat book, they earn the right to keep their license.  If they break some handwriting speed limit rules, then I keep their license until they earn it back with good handwriting.  They don't particularly like losing that license, so it helps motivate them to do their best for a very short 10 minutes out of the day.  

I believe I found the license in a teacher magazine years ago. I'm sharing it with you.  I hope that's not illegal or something.  Click on the picture for your own.  (Pardon the fact that it's not the most beautiful copy.)

On a different note, I'm joining a linky party although I must admit I'm not sure exactly what that means.  Here's a link to Kindergarten Lifestyle to find out more.