Help -7th Grader can't read cursive

You might want to consider “Handwriting Without Tears.” It’s a simpler version of cursive that’s actually a hybrid between printing and cursive.

Here’s a site with some letter samples:

http://www.hwtears.com/cursive.htm

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Hello Laura,
Sorry for the late reply.
I’ve a thought that may or might not have undergone accademic testing, but it’s an idea that may be worth trying. (I’ve no references to give you, but I’ll look to see what I can find)

_ Does the student write manuscript forms long hand?
_ Does the student type? Type well?
And just for curiosity…
_ Does the student use speech to text software?

If the student uses a word processor, you may want to try switching the type of font that he or she uses to a “Lucida handwriting” or “Cursive” font.You can also try an italics typewriter.
My line of thought is:
If the student is familiar with typing (keyboards) as a manner writing, their motor “memory” i.e., and cognitive familiarity may help him or her physically and actively understand the ties between block and cursive letters, as they are produced.

You may want to set up a word processing [page] template that let’s the student type a line in block letters and then retype the same line beneath it in cursive (without having to stop and switch fonts.) [If you can not, & if time allows, I believe I can.]

You could begin the exercises in a structured manner with specific “Now is the time for all good men to come the aid or their…” ( or something like that) sentences, then let the child develope their own sentences to practice from.

Interest & creativity is incentive:
As the child advances, you may want to introduce other scripted fonts (Edwardian Script is one, as well as playfull comic script fonts) that are expressively flourished. If the child takes to this, I think we may say that we’ve accomplished something.

Don’t beat yourself up thinking that you’ve pounded block letters in to the childs head to a point where there is no more room for cursive, for better or worse this is the course that handwriting education as taken since the late 20’s and early 1930’s.

The child may adapt if he or she has interest and recognizes the NEED to read cursive lettering. And if he or she has a stable cognitive recognition of the letter forms, as well as set fluid kinesthetic motor patterns into long term memory.
The main thing is to keep the lessons within the same context i.e. page, and practice sessions.

I an others are working on other designs and methods along these lines, but for now it may be best to try switching the fonts and seeing how that goes.

Best of luck, keep in touch with future success’ or complications.

Bill G

Fonts can be downloaded on a tryout basis before purchase at various font download sites this:
http://fonts.com
or http://www.schoolfonts.com/cursive-font-blockletter/_CursiveHandwriting.html

I am not affiliated with either of these sites though, I have used both in some of my HCI Handwriting dysgraphia experiments. You may also find several other free access font sites to choose from.
I suspect that a good LD resource affiliation that advises as well as “sell’s” product and information would have a link to free fonts on their web page…-?

member update: previos post above 7/21/03

Go to www.peterson-handwriting.com and ask for a guy named Chick. I know the name is weird but he is SO HELPFUL. I am using this program this year. There is a CD to show kids how to write cursive in 10 minutes a day and it takes several weeks. This progam comes highly recommended as better than Handwriting without Tears by a lady I know.

I thought the customer service is excellent and so far so good with my ld students.

At least call and talk to them, They are so knowlegable.

Michelle AZ