We use a program called Handwriting without Tears in our school. Each week, we work on learning how to print uppercase and lowercase letters. At this point in the year, we are learning a new letter every other week. During this two week time, we work on writing the uppercase letter one week and the lowercase letter the next week during handwriting time. Usually on Mondays, we meet on the rug to practice forming the letter of that week together. When it is an uppercase letter we are working on, we will use the wood pieces from the program to form the letter. When it is the lowercase letter we are working on we often use dry erase boards to practice. This program has certain language that helps us remember how to form the different letters. Mrs. Niles reminds us to use our pointer finger to trace over the letter as we say the words together (I have to use my whole paw to do this). I like practicing how to write the letters. During this time, we also brainstorm words that begin with the letter we are working on. Mrs. Niles lets me participate in this activity and passes me around the circle while each child gets to tell me a word. I like listening to everyone. After meeting as a whole group for a few minutes, we go to different handwriting stations to practice the letter. Some stations have been dry erase boards, chalkboards (where we use our "Wet, Dry, Try" approach), playdoh, and sand. One week (while we learned the letter Mm), we even made the letter using macaroni. We also practice printing in our handwriting journals during literacy stations. Handwriting is fun and the more we practice, the better we'll get at writing our letters!
**Nelson**
