Yesterday I was working with the 2nd grade small group, who continue to tear it up on cursive writing.  They were learning capital E, which looks like a backwards 3.  Backwards comparisons are something we try to avoid in the Dyslexia Center, so instead we looked at how the cursive letter appears a lot like the printed one, only curvier.

The kids started by airplane writing, tracing letter models, then writing practice letters on paper.  Eric did not have the hang of it. At all.  He said his looked as if his E went ice skating and was about to wipe out.  Eric is the student with a gift of story telling, and often amuses us with them during handwriting practice.  He did have a point this time. His letter was not sitting on the line, not standing up straight.

I ask the students to analyze their mistakes and see if they can come up with the solution, or at least what needs to be fixed. Eric knew the problem, but the fix eluded him.  I came around to kneel beside him, and gently placed my hand over his to guide his hand and pencil as a correct letter was formed.  This techniques often helps the students’ muscles feel the correct path for the troublesome letter.  It worked for Eric, and he turned to me with a grin and said, “Hey, it’s like you are the cursive GPS!”

Yup, that’s me, cursive GPS. Guiding one student to success, one letter at a time.