Teaching Cursive Writing
Do you think cursive handwriting should be taught in schools? That question has many educators and parents fiercely discussing the pros and cons of cursive instruction. But the reality today is that In many classrooms, cursive handwriting has become an afterthought. Cursive handwriting has been replaced by typing on keyboards and tablets. While some states don’t require any instruction on cursive handwriting, many parents and teachers strongly believe that learning to read and write in cursive is essential for student success!
The Research Behind Cursive Writing
Growing research shows the importance of teaching cursive handwriting in the classroom. In an article published from Trends Neuroscience and Education, the effects of handwriting on functional brain development in children was researched. They found that cursive handwriting was important for letter processing in the brain. They found that only cursive handwriting stimulated brain synapses between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, something that printing letters and typing did not do. Researchers also discovered in brain scans that handwriting in cursive helped children learn their letters better and that children developed a brain that read with proficiency.
The Benefits of Learning to Write in Cursive
Fine motor skills
In addition to the research behind cursive writing and brain development, there are some amazing benefits to learning how to write in cursive. Cursive handwriting helps children develop their fine motor skills. Cursive writing requires special hand-eye coordination while they practice making loops, swirls, and letter connections. Researchers in the article The Contribution of Handwriting and Spelling Remediation to Overcoming Dyslexia, found that the fine motor movements made with writing in cursive have been effective in helping students with Dysgraphia.
Cursive Writing Increases retention..it’s like a memory muscle
By writing down notes in cursive, students can process the content better so they can understand it and retain more information. Studies have found that students remembered information the best when they copied learning information in cursive, then when they wrote it down using standard printing or even a tech device to type up their notes.
How Do You Teach Cursive?
I truly believe cursive writing is an important part of a student’s writing journey. Here are my 5 easy steps to best support students when they’re learning how to write in cursive!
Step 1: Introduce one letter at a time
The key to introducing cursive is not overwhelming students. Try introducing just one cursive letter at a time.
Step 2: Teach correct letter formation
Your next job is to teach students how to form each cursive letter correctly. Cursive can look very different from standard printing, so be sure to model each letter carefully. Your pacing might mean it will take a few days to keep practicing one letter at a time, but don’t worry about rushing through each letter quickly.
Step 3: Begin with teaching lowercase cursive letters
This next step is super important! Cursive letters are formed in different ways from each other. I like to sequence or group letters by the type of formation they follow. For example, the lowercase letters c, o, a, d, g, and q all follow the same curves and strokes. By teaching these lowercase cursive letters in this sequence, students will be able to better learn how to form each letter correctly. Next group the cursive letters i, u, w, t, r, s, j, p. Follow with e, l, b, f, h, k. Lastly, teach letters n, m, v, y, x, z.
Step 4: Then teach uppercase cursive letters.
As mentioned above, grouping cursive letters by type of stroke and curve helps students learn how to form them correctly. When teaching uppercase letters, try these cursive sequences. Letters C, O, Q, E, L, G, letters A, M, N, S, T, F, I, J, letters P, R, B, H, K, D, followed by cursive letters U, V, W, X, Y, Z.
Step 5: Teach how to connect cursive letters
After learning how to write each individual letter correctly, students will need practice connecting those cursive letters! Your next step in teaching your students how to write in cursive is to help them learn simple letter connections. I like to break them down by sequences or groups again. Try starting them with these simple cursive connection sequences:
- co, ca, cd, cg
- oo, oa, od, og
- ao, aa, ad, ag
- iu, iw, it, ir, is ij, ip
Keep teaching simple letter combinations by following the lowercase and uppercase sequences mentioned in step 4 and step 5.
Step 6: Have your child copy simple words, sentences, and then paragraphs
After students become more fluent in connecting simple letter combinations in both uppercase and lowercase sequences, start teaching simple 2 or 3-letter words for them to begin writing in cursive. Words like on, at, is, do, go are easy to start with. Then work your way to 3-letter words such as cat, can, get, win, law, egg, not, you, are. Once they are successful in writing cursive words, give them short sentences to practice. Eventually, that will lead to being able to write full paragraphs in cursive!
If you need cursive handwriting activities for independent center practice, early finisher activity, or even as extra cursive practice at home as homework, try my FREE Cursive Handwriting practice pages. I love their versatility and use for cross-curricular learning!
If you’re looking for a complete and comprehensive cursive curriculum to help you teach your students cursive, grab the entire Cursive Handwriting Practice Book!
Cursive Handwriting Practice Book
These cursive handwriting practice activities will not only have your students improving their handwriting skills, they’ll also be learning creative expression and having tons of fun.
Cursive writing is an important part of a student’s writing journey! These cursive handwriting practice activities will not only have your students improving their handwriting skills, they’ll also be learning creative expression and having tons of fun.
If you’re looking for cursive practice pages to use with your students or children, look no further! This handwriting workbook has over 130 pages full of fun and engaging activities to help your students learn to write in cursive beautifully! This Cursive Handwriting Workbook has been used by over 12,000+ teachers all over the world and will definitely become one of your favorite resources to use for teaching cursive handwriting!
What’s included?
Cursive Handwriting Practice Includes:
- 26 lowercase color, trace, connect it, and write it cursive practice
- 26 uppercase color, trace, connect it, and write it cursive practice
- 7 uppercase and lowercase matching cursive letter tracing practice sheets
- 5 search and find uppercase and lowercase cursive pages
- 3 color by cursive letter practice sheets
- 26 lowercase trace and practice cursive sheets
- 26 uppercase trace and practice cursive sheets
- 3 paragraph cursive trace and practice sheets
- blank writing paper for beginner cursive learners to practice their cursive letters and words
This cursive handwriting workbook has been used by over 12,000+ teachers and parents in classrooms all over the world! See what others are saying about this cursive resource:
These cursive handwriting activities are also great for independent center practice, early finisher activity, or even as extra cursive practice at home as homework! I also love their versatility and use for homeschool learning. Your students will practice their handwriting while learning fun science facts!
These cursive handwriting activities are also great for independent center practice, early finisher activity, or even as extra cursive practice at home as homework! I also love their versatility and use for homeschool learning. Your students will practice their handwriting while learning fun science facts!
Don’t wait! Grab my Cursive Handwriting Workbook and start teaching your students how to write in cursive today!
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Cursive Handwriting Practice Book
These cursive handwriting activities are also great for independent center practice, early finisher activity, or even as extra cursive practice at home as homework! I also love their versatility and use for cross-curricular learning. Your students will practice their handwriting while learning fun science facts!
Happy cursive teaching!
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