Time for Better Handwriting Foundation Style Book 5 has been designed to help the student to develop speed and fluency in handwriting. In lower Years the focus has been on letter shapes, letter combinations and copying test relevant to the Year.

• Handwriting is a skill that requires both instruction and practise. In this book students are introduced to letter joins with practice examples and speed loops which will improve speed and fluency.
• The height of letters has been reduced to 3mm on the writing line. Ascenders and descenders are also 3mm high and low but the student needs to judge these with each activity. The handwriting attempted should look very much like the copy model as care and neatness are an essential part of good handwriting.
• Fluency movements and letter combinations are treated in the early part of the book’s copy model.

However, the emphasis on these skills give way so more handwriting activities can be practised with longer text models.

As with all handwriting lessons, the teacher should ensure each student is positioned to learn so as to continue the development of good handwriting. All should ensure:

1. Students are supported by a firm seat and good writing surface.
2. Correct posture, with feet flat on the floor, head 30 cm from the page and the book is tilted 7 degrees to help maintain slope.
3. The pen grip is correct. Any of these is acceptable.

Left-hand writers should grip the pen 3 cm from the point in order to keep the hand below the writing line.

At the bottom of each page are five stars that allow for self assessment. The student should colour stars one to five to honestly assess his/her results when compared to the copy models.

In addition there is a Progressive Assessment on page 55. This should be attempted at different times throughout the Year. As the page fills, there should be easily assessed improvement shown with each attempt.

There is an evaluation checklist on page 56 for the teacher or parent to help assess achievement of handwriting objectives.

Observe skills two or three times before assessment and “tick off” proficiency.

Images shown accurately depict our books, some have been slightly altered for illustration purpose only.