Targeted Manuscript Teaching

Targeted Manuscript Handwriting in Steps & Groups

I made the target manuscript handwriting lessons to break writing letters into steps. With these print-outs, the child practices writing the shapes of the letter before writing the letter.

Set Sequence Suggestion, You do not have to follow my suggestion, use sets according to the needs of your students:
The Targeted Manuscript Handwriting could be a follow-up to the Printing Readiness tracing shapes handwriting lessons.

Compare Rule Height
of DY's Lessons
rule height chart

Another set that uses a "targeted method" is the large set: Donna Young's 133 Manuscript Handwriting Lessons for Beginners and that large set could follow this set.

The Groups and Two Teaching Tips

5 Groups: The lessons are divided into 5 groups. Each group contains letters that have something in common. Group 4 contains the letter Ss, k, and Zz. These letters do not actually have much in common except that they are sometimes difficult.

Entire Lesson or Not: Each Lesson, or most of them, have two letters. You do not have to teach both letters in one lesson. You may opt to teach only one letter on one day and save the other letter for the next day.

Lessons in a Page Protector: Some have told me that they place the printables in page protectors and the child uses DryErase markers to practice.

How to Use Targeted Handwriting Practice

The child should trace all of the letters and shapes starting at the ball.
In the empty spaces the child should attempt to write the letters on his own.
The educator should supervise the child as he writes to be certain that he is doing it correctly.
Choose these printable based on the particular problem that your child is experiencing with his handwriting. Or if you want to start from the top, present the lessons to your child in the order in which they are linked.
Using a white board or chalk board, show your child how to write the letter(s) and tell your child what letter(s) are being presented. Write very large and if possible, allow your child to write the letter(s) very large on the board too. The goal is to concentrate on the shape and direction of the stroke. Once you have done that, give your child the worksheet. Tell him again what letter he is making and observe him to make sure he does it correctly.