Description
SAGE PUBLISHING Handwriting Problems In The Secondary School by Sassoon
The book fulfils its purpose admirably...[It] should be required reading for all Primary and Secondary headteachers - they lead the policy making in schools' - Journal of the Writing Equipment Society `This excellent new text from the handwriting specialist Rosemary Sassoon will be of great interest to secondary school SENCOs and a range of other staff supporting children who are experiencing difficulties with handwriting' -SENCO UpdateA considerable proportion of pupils leave primary school unable to write well enough to deal with the demands of secondary school.This innovative new book aims to help teachers and SENCOs to work alongside pupils to help them address their own difficulties. The book has three parts: Part one explores the various issues which underpin any discussion of handwriting: letterforms; the pros and cons of handwriting models; how to help children write at speed; writing posture; pens and pen hold; left-handedness; talking to parents; and some of the common causes of handwriting problems. Part two presents a series of examples of handwriting in photocopiable form, aimed principally at the pupils but with full teacher support, designed to show pupils a range of handwriting problems, helping them them to self-diagnose and work towards improvement. Each page offers practical tips and help for pupils with difficulties. All of the photocopiable material is also provided in electronic format on the companion website.Part three sets out a diagnostic technique for teachers to follow, outlining three approaches to tackling handwriting problems: a quick, small-group assessment; providing one-to-one help; and working with a whole class. Each approach is outlined in detail, offering advice on effective observation, procedures to follow in giving appropriate practical help to pupils, and how to assess progress. Part three also offers guidelines for designing checklists, and the role of surveys and research. Authoritative, wide-ranging and full of practical help, this book will be particularly useful for secondary teachers, secondary SENCOs and teaching support staff.Rosemary Sassoon is an independent consultant and lecturer, based in Sevenoaks, Kent. She is the author of Handwriting: The Way to Teach it, Paul Chapman Publishing, 2003. IntroductionPART ONEIssues in LetterformsMovementHeight DifferentialsTwo Sets of LettersWord and Letter SpacingOther FactorsHandwriting ModelsSpeedA Balanced View of JoiningIssues in Writing PostureSchool Furniture and PosturePens and Pen HoldUnderstanding Left-HandednessTensionVisionOther IssuesPresentationTalking To ParentsSevere Problems Ignored or MisdiagnosedHandwriting in a Multicultural ContextPART TWOSo You Are Having Trouble with Your HandwritingThis Is How You Can StartBefore You Even Start To WriteWhat to Do About It and WhyPen HoldsHand PositionsUnconventional Pen Holds - Left HandersUnconventional Pen Holds - Right HandersYour Hand and You're Writing PositionPaper Position Affects How You Sit and WriteRelax and Your Handwriting Will ImproveRelaxing ScribblesPractical Tips for Left HandersHandwriting Is a PatternIf The Pattern Is Wrong...Alternatives and Other FamiliesIf The Letter Heights Are Wrong12 Rules of LegibilityWhy and When To Join UpStart Joining In Easy StagesTop Joins Are Great Time SaversRepairing Bad Joins and Crossbar JoinsJoins To the Round Group of LettersLooping At Speed and Fast Personal JoinsLetters and Joins for Left HandersHow Far Can You Go With Letters?Fast Writing and Slow WritingYour Slant, His Slant, No SlantHow Much Space Is Enough?Spiky Letters or Round LettersMixed-Up ModelsSome Letters Are Too RoundLarge Writing and Small WritingSpot Your Own MistakesUnevenly Sized LettersWhere Does One Letter End And The Next Begin?Are Your Ascenders Too Long Or Too Short?Are Your Descenders Causing Confusion?Dealing with DescendersAre You Leaving Strokes Out?More Missing StrokesExit but Not Entry StrokesExit Strokes: A Recipe for DisasterCapital Letters: Last But Not LeastPART THREEThree Approaches to Handwriting ProblemsUsing the Three ApproachesDiagnosisStage 1: ObservationPostural ProblemsLetter ProblemsTensionSpeedStage 2: ProcedureProcedure for Dealing with PostureProcedure for Dealing with LettersExercisesGroup TherapyStage 3: AssessmentAssessment of ImprovementGuidelines for Designing ChecksheetsUsing ChecksheetsChecksheets for PupilsMarkingThe Role of Surveys and Research