The first sample of handwriting on the left came from a fourth grade student early in the school year. The second sample was taken in March of the same year. The student was instructed with the Stevenson approach to handwriting. Stevenson’s Cursive Writing incorporates special techniques for students whose spatial, directional and fine motor skills are not as strong as their peers. The Stevenson approach to handwriting – like the Stevenson approach to reading, spelling and grammar – carefully analyzes tasks and simplifies the overall process. All the cursive letters in Stevenson begin from one of three basic strokes. Of course, we also use special mnemonic clues to help students remember different aspects of letter formation. The house clue alone resolves most of the directional confusion students experience, and the diving board helps them avoid the very common mistake of finishing the cursive b, o and v in the wrong place. Also the money game helps focus those students whose attention otherwise wanders.
The House Clue:
By using this house to orient themselves, students can resolve their spatial and directional problems easily.
The Diving Board Letters:
By looking at the final stroke of these letters as a diving board, students remember to end them correctly, so that b does not get confused with l, or u with v, or o with a
Stevenson’s Cursive Writing not only helps students overcome problems (and frustrations!), it also helps problem-free students enjoy the process of mastering handwriting skills. This method speaks a language that second, third and fourth graders can relate to. The instructions are concrete. The practice makes sense. It is not boring rote drill.
Easy and Inexpensive
The Stevenson approach is as easy for you to teach as it is for your students to learn. Stevenson’s Cursive Writing requires no special training or ongoing consultation. Teachers have no organizational burdens. The teacher simply reads a brief lesson from the manual and demonstrates on the blackboard. Students practice in workbooks as teachers supervise. Review and reward are built in. There are no expensive ancillary materials.
Free Sample Lessons
We do not provide samples of most of our materials because we do not feel pieces adequately represent a whole program. For the cursive writing material, however, we will send you (old-fashioned mail) samples of Lessons 1, 2 and 17 from the manual and workbook. To request the sample call 888-707-1930.