Teaching Handwriting

Does anyone teach handwriting using a handwriting program in their class (especially K & 1st grade teachers)?
I'm an OT who works for a SD on LI and been trying to help the K/1 teachers with handwriting in the classrooms. They struggle with trying to fit in handwriting instruction into an already VERY busy day. The district I work in has full day K but the teachers are so overwhelmed with curriculum changes, NWEA Map testing and APPR concerns that handwriting is brushed aside. The students are struggling with handwriting skills and now have really poor legibility and speed of writing. The teachers in higher grades complain because they can't read written responses on state tests etc... As an OT I can't service students just because they have sloppy handwriting and now I'm butting heads with a lot of teachers because of that. If you still teach handwriting, how do you fit it into you day/week and what program do you use?

Teaching Handwriting

I'm in a third grade leave right now, and I do handwriting at the end of the day. It's a nice, calming way to wrap up the afternoon. For our younger grades they use Handwriting Without Tears. The explanations on how to make each letter are kid-friendly and handwriting is incorporated into literacy centers in K.

Teaching Handwriting

We use the fundations reading program and handwriting is built in for K and 1. I love it. The students practice their letters and sounds on wipe boards, gell boards and paper. Very kid friendly. My daughter is in another district and is being taught the same program and she really enjoys it- for a kids perspective.

Re: Teaching Handwriting

Re: Teaching Handwriting

Thanks! I've been pushing into all the classrooms and have been trying to help the teachers. most of the kindergarten teachers use fundations, a couple use handwriting without tears. All of the 1st grade teachers use handwriting without tears.