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Cursive Methods

For more information on cursive and its benefits, please read the Spring 2014 issue of Learning Tangent!

Modern Methods

Constitutional Cursive – Studying various forms of calligraphy over the years gave our editor, Gail, a unique perspective on handwriting. She noticed the differences, and the changes in styles over the years, and always loved a good, old-fashioned, English Roundhand. She’s used a few methods for cursive with her own boys over the last year, some better than others (notably, SmithHand is pretty darn good), but when her boys told her that reading and understanding Roundhand was easier than any other cursive, the idea came: design cursive curriculum based on Roundhand so they can see the separation between the letters. It was one quick second before she realized she could also share this with other homeschoolers.

Cursive First – “Cursive First can be used with the young child just learning to write his phonograms or with the older student transitioning to cursive.”

Hanson Method – “This method was developed and streamlined over a period of 14 years. It has proven to be efficient and highly effective for all students.”

New American Cursive – “It presents simplified letter forms, using multi-sensory methods to aid in learning the motor skills necessary to write well.”

SmithHand Method – “Because SmithHand is a true cursive hand instead of a copy hand (like other methods) it’s achievable as taught and therefore needs to be taught only once. It can be written with speed yet retains its legibility. It is written with the natural motion of the hand and uses the stroke over which the writer has the best fine motor control. It results in flowing, elegant, practical handwriting.

Teaching Cursive – “After thirty-six years teaching elementary students Linda Corson wanted to share her highly successful method of teaching cursive writing. This book is the culmination of techniques that evolved over those years.”

Old-School Methods

Many of these in the old school section have updated their curricula to keep up with research and new information. A few, like Peterson, have created a “straight to cursive” method which enables the student to skip printing all together. This approach may have benefits for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia and possibly even ADD.

Peterson Handwriting – “We offer a unique strategy, a developmental curriculum, and simple materials for teaching fluent handwriting. ”

Palmer Method – “The Palmer Method of penmanship instruction was developed and promoted by Austin Palmer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It soon became the most popular handwriting system in the United States.”

Spencerian – The primary form of handwriting taught in the United States through the 19th century, Spencerian is beautiful and easy to read.

Teaching Resources

Handwriting for Kids

Donna Young