Last week in Handwriting Club, we stood and tossed a stuffed potato again to help learn names and it is also a good activity for eye-hand coordination, which applies to reading, writing, and board to seat work.  Next, everyone put a scarf in their right hand and we side stepped to the right and then placed scarf in left hand and side stepped to the left before playing a game (like Simon Says) to assist in learning directional concepts:  top, middle, bottom, right, and left of our own bodies.  

 

Then, students positioned themselves into tall kneeling.  With the scarves in their dominant hand, we practiced drawing "straight" (vertical), "sleeping" (horizontal), "slanted" (diagonal), and curve lines in the air.  

 

Next, students positioned themselves into long sitting (legs straight in front) and sat tall.  We talked about how this helps our posture and strengthens core (belly) muscles.  We then did our Handwriting Warm-ups (strengthens hands and fingers) 5x's each, which are easy to incorporate before writing time.  We will do these weekly and I will bring in fun and engaging activities to incorporate these warm-ups as well.     1.  Hand Press:  while pushing hands together, inhale in through your nose and exhale/relax at the sametime.  2.  Mickey Mouse Ears:  place hands up by your ears and squeeze hands and open.  3.  Motorcycles:  Flex/extend wrist (students like to make motorcycle sounds as they do them).  4.  Spiders:  push fingertips together and relax.  5.  Video Games:  flex/extend thumb.  6.  O's:  bend/extend thumb and "pointer" (index) finger together.  7.  Thumb Fingers:  thumb touches each finger.  8.  Hand Rub:  rub hands together to "wake-up" muscles.   I placed "Twirlers" in their hands for when they rubbed their hands together.  These were fun!

 

After our hands were warmed up, I passed out the Handwriting Without Tears small chalkboards.  We reviewed directional concepts with chalkboards in vertical and horizontal planes.  For some students, its easier to distinguish directional concepts out in front (vertical plane).  Then we reviewed the proper way to grasp chalk.  Make an "o" with thumb and "pointer" (index) finger, slightly open and insert chalk.  "Tall man" (middle) finger is next to "pointer" finger and the others ("ring" & "pinky") fingers are folded down in the palm of your hand ("go to sleep").  We positioned the small chalkboard out in front (vertically) with non-dominant hand.   Last, we practiced writing "straight" (vertical), "sleepy" (horizontal), "slanted" (diagonal) and curve lines.  Writing on a vertical surface helps wrist to be in proper form (extension) and strengthens.  If we had time left, we did table top yoga pose for strengthening!