Today we did a written phonogram review of all 26 letters. It was an exciting experience to see the progression of writing that they've gone through since the start of the year. However, I noticed one small detail that many of my students continue to keep doing. They insist on writing their letters from bottom to top. We've gone over this many times, yet no matter how creative I get with the way we write them, they always have their own way of writing letters.Since my previous techniques were not working out so well, I decided to try a new technique to hopefully get some better results than the ones that I was previously getting.
Before I continue, I must admit that this technique was largely inspired by Mr. Halpern, a fellow Kindergarten teacher, whose blog I simply admire. This idea came from one of his recent blogs, Secret.
(Back to my story...) "I have a secret to tell you," I whispered, "but you have to show me you really want to know first before I can continue." At this point they all got intently focused as they were more than determined to hear my secret.
"I know the secret, Miss Molly!" a friend shouted. He was right. I've told him it before, and I suppose he accepted that it really was a secret.
Now, the rest of the classmates were especially intent on knowing the secret, for they couldn't be left out!
(Back to my story...) "I have a secret to tell you," I whispered, "but you have to show me you really want to know first before I can continue." At this point they all got intently focused as they were more than determined to hear my secret.
"I know the secret, Miss Molly!" a friend shouted. He was right. I've told him it before, and I suppose he accepted that it really was a secret.
Now, the rest of the classmates were especially intent on knowing the secret, for they couldn't be left out!
"If you write your letters from top to bottom instead of bottom to top they will be straighter," I said enthusiastically. "If you don't believe me, then try it with our next letter L."
They got straight to work and before I knew it I heard all sorts of excitement, "It worked! It really worked Miss Molly!"
"Can I tell my mom?" a little voice asked.
"If you think she must know, then yes, I will allow it," I told her.
"How about my sister? She doesn't even know this one!" another added.
"How about you choose to keep it to yourself or share it. I'll leave it up to you."
"Ok, but I think she needs to know this one!"
Success! I am happy with the way this "secret" technique turned out. Hopefully I'll be seeing some straighter letters coming my way.
I had never heard that before. Thanks for sharing. Kids do have a tendency to want to write from bottom to top...don't they!
ReplyDeleteOne little boy who has always struggled a bit in fine motor skills came up to me today and said, "Aren't these the straightest letters you ever saw?!" From him, yes. They were noticeably different.
ReplyDeleteIt could be he wanted to try harder because he now thinks it makes it straighter, or it in fact DOES make it straighter because it gives them more control, but either way I noticed a wow factor of improvement from him!
You're too nice... no way that little girl should be sharing THAT secret with her mom. :)
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