Tips+for+handwriting+legibility+for+teachers!

No matter what grade you teach.....EXPLICITLY teach the kids what your expectations are for handwriting! 1. space between words (teach this skill) 2. letters in words are close together 3. tall letters, small letters, descending letters (use consistent language, practice, teach these in groups!)

Use lined paper with margins on BOTH sides. You can use lined Post-it notes as well- to put answers in worksheet and increase visual structure!

Have student skip a line between each printed line. Lots of white space helps!

Do a final edit. It is hard for many students to compose, organize their thoughts and write neatly at the same time.


 * Edit JUST. FOR. NEATNESS.**

The two biggest areas to fix are: 1. Spaces between words. Some folks run their words together. 2. **Avoid flying off the baseline!** There should be no air between the bottom of letters and the baseline. This is the biggest predictor of legibility in Middle and High School.

Avoid telling your child or student that their handwriting is messy. Use the specific suggestions listed above.

For math or science problems, it is helpful to divide the paper to provide as much visual structure as possible.

For math problems, make a box with lines inside (for example, six boxes per page).

PROVIDE AS MUCH VISUAL SUPPORT AS POSSIBLE IF NEEDED FOR SPATIAL ORGANIZATION. THIS MEANS DEFINE THE SPACE WITH LINES OR BOXED-OFF AREAS.