'The book fulfils its purpose admirably...[It] should be required reading for all Primary and Secondary headteachers - they lead the policy making in schools' - Journal of the Writing Equipment Society   `This excellent new text from the handwriting specialist Rosemary Sassoon will be of great interest to secondary school SENCOs and a range of other staff supporting children who are experiencing difficulties with handwriting' - SENCO Update   A considerable proportion of pupils leave primary school unable to write well enough to deal with the demands of secondary school.   This innovative new book aims to help teachers and SENCOs to work alongside pupils to help them address their own difficulties. The book has three parts:   Part one explores the various issues which underpin any discussion of handwriting: letterforms; the pros and cons of handwriting models; how to help children write at speed; writing posture; pens and pen hold; left-handedness; talking to parents; and some of the common causes of handwriting problems.   Part two presents a series of examples of handwriting in photocopiable form, aimed principally at the pupils but with full teacher support, designed to show pupils a range of handwriting problems, helping them them to self-diagnose and work towards improvement. Each page offers practical tips and help for pupils with difficulties. All of the photocopiable material is also provided in electronic format on the companion website.   Part three sets out a diagnostic technique for teachers to follow, outlining three approaches to tackling handwriting problems: a quick, small-group assessment; providing one-to-one help; and working with a whole class. Each approach is outlined in detail, offering advice on effective observation, procedures to follow in giving appropriate practical help to pupils, and how to assess progress. Part three also offers guidelines for designing checklists, and the role of surveys and research.   Authoritative, wide-ranging and full of practical help, this book will be particularly useful for secondary teachers, secondary SENCOs and teaching support staff.   Rosemary Sassoon is an independent consultant and lecturer, based in Sevenoaks, Kent. She is the author of Handwriting: The Way to Teach it, Paul Chapman Publishing, 2003.

Table of Contents:
Introduction PART ONE Issues in Letterforms Movement Height Differentials Two Sets of Letters Word and Letter Spacing Other Factors Handwriting Models Speed A Balanced View of Joining Issues in Writing Posture School Furniture and Posture Pens and Pen Hold Understanding Left-Handedness Tension Vision Other Issues Presentation Talking To Parents Severe Problems Ignored or Misdiagnosed Handwriting in a Multicultural Context PART TWO So You Are Having Trouble with Your Handwriting This Is How You Can Start Before You Even Start To Write What to Do About It and Why Pen Holds Hand Positions Unconventional Pen Holds - Left Handers Unconventional Pen Holds - Right Handers Your Hand and You′re Writing Position Paper Position Affects How You Sit and Write Relax and Your Handwriting Will Improve Relaxing Scribbles Practical Tips for Left Handers Handwriting Is a Pattern If The Pattern Is Wrong... Alternatives and Other Families If The Letter Heights Are Wrong 12 Rules of Legibility Why and When To Join Up Start Joining In Easy Stages Top Joins Are Great Time Savers Repairing Bad Joins and Crossbar Joins Joins To the Round Group of Letters Looping At Speed and Fast Personal Joins Letters and Joins for Left Handers How Far Can You Go With Letters? Fast Writing and Slow Writing Your Slant, His Slant, No Slant How Much Space Is Enough? Spiky Letters or Round Letters Mixed-Up Models Some Letters Are Too Round Large Writing and Small Writing Spot Your Own Mistakes Unevenly Sized Letters Where Does One Letter End And The Next Begin? Are Your Ascenders Too Long Or Too Short? Are Your Descenders Causing Confusion? Dealing with Descenders Are You Leaving Strokes Out? More Missing Strokes Exit but Not Entry Strokes Exit Strokes: A Recipe for Disaster Capital Letters: Last But Not Least PART THREE Three Approaches to Handwriting Problems Using the Three Approaches Diagnosis Stage 1: Observation Postural Problems Letter Problems Tension Speed Stage 2: Procedure Procedure for Dealing with Posture Procedure for Dealing with Letters Exercises Group Therapy Stage 3: Assessment Assessment of Improvement Guidelines for Designing Checksheets Using Checksheets Checksheets for Pupils Marking The Role of Surveys and Research