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Penmanship gets overhaul at Central
SUGAR CITY - For much of handwriting education at Central Elementary School in the past, teaching handwriting was a difficult process simply because there were so many different methods being taught.
Central Principal Bob Potter said that every year, old habits needed to be broken by students.
"The problem that I saw is that here's Mrs. Kindergarten doing the way that she just thinks is best," Potter explained. "Then that kindergartner is learning the skills. And then she moves to Mrs. First Grade, and Mrs. First Grade thinks that's fine, but she really leans toward this other method. And there are tiny differences, and that's confusing.
"Then that student goes on to Mrs. Second Grade who likes what Mrs. Kindergarten and Mrs. First Grade did, but she just really learned this other way and feels that this is the way to do it."
The Sugar-Salem School District hopes to change all that after implementing a pair of styles to be taught by every teacher, beginning with preschool classes.
"What we wanted to do is just have some continuity," Potter said. This is one less headache for students and teachers since they will not have to worry about breaking habits.
First-grade teacher Jill Moss said that though it will be an improvement, there needs to be even earlier continuity of writing teaching.
"I think it will help," Moss said. "I think we also need some communication with the parents at home. Many of the habits that the children have with their handwriting are already established before they come to school. So it's very difficult to break those habits."
The children will learn the Writing Without Tears method of handwriting from preschool until second grade.
After second grade, the writing shifts to the D'Nealian method of handwriting (see box for details).
Mary Louise Barney headed up a committee to review handwriting methods, Potter said. While there were no bad methods that were brought forward, those two were chosen because of the simple, straightforward styles.
Handwriting Without Tears also involves songs, introducing writing as something that is fun to learn.
Potter said handwriting is still important, even in this world of computers, instant messaging and texting. Those methods of communication have led to a dearth in legible writing.
"I don't know if it's because of the frequent use of computers now, but our handwriting is atrocious," Potter said. "It's bad."
Now that the district has consolidated teaching methods, teachers are able to concentrate not on breaking old habits every year, but building on learned ones.
"It will be nice to have that consistency in kindergarten all the way up," Moss said. "Also our preschool will be working on this, so that will be wonderful."
SUGAR CITY - For much of handwriting education at Central Elementary School in the past, teaching handwriting was a difficult process simply because there were so many different methods being taught.
Central Principal Bob Potter said that every year, old habits needed to be broken by students.
"The problem that I saw is that here's Mrs. Kindergarten doing the way that she just thinks is best," Potter explained. "Then that kindergartner is learning the skills. And then she moves to Mrs. First Grade, and Mrs. First Grade thinks that's fine, but she really leans toward this other method. And there are tiny differences, and that's confusing.
"Then that student goes on to Mrs. Second Grade who likes what Mrs. Kindergarten and Mrs. First Grade did, but she just really learned this other way and feels that this is the way to do it."
The Sugar-Salem School District hopes to change all that after implementing a pair of styles to be taught by every teacher, beginning with preschool classes.
"What we wanted to do is just have some continuity," Potter said. This is one less headache for students and teachers since they will not have to worry about breaking habits.
First-grade teacher Jill Moss said that though it will be an improvement, there needs to be even earlier continuity of writing teaching.
"I think it will help," Moss said. "I think we also need some communication with the parents at home. Many of the habits that the children have with their handwriting are already established before they come to school. So it's very difficult to break those habits."
The children will learn the Writing Without Tears method of handwriting from preschool until second grade.
After second grade, the writing shifts to the D'Nealian method of handwriting (see box for details).
Mary Louise Barney headed up a committee to review handwriting methods, Potter said. While there were no bad methods that were brought forward, those two were chosen because of the simple, straightforward styles.
Handwriting Without Tears also involves songs, introducing writing as something that is fun to learn.
Potter said handwriting is still important, even in this world of computers, instant messaging and texting. Those methods of communication have led to a dearth in legible writing.
"I don't know if it's because of the frequent use of computers now, but our handwriting is atrocious," Potter said. "It's bad."
Now that the district has consolidated teaching methods, teachers are able to concentrate not on breaking old habits every year, but building on learned ones.
"It will be nice to have that consistency in kindergarten all the way up," Moss said. "Also our preschool will be working on this, so that will be wonderful."
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