Then a brainwave - I used to love doing the fluency patterns (not sure how the kids in my grade liked them, but I loved them).
So I had a play around with that.
Then I realised that some of the patterns had a remarkable resemblance to doodle and Zentangle patterns.
I still try to do a pattern every night before I go to sleep.
Then I had the brilliant (I thought) idea of making an alphabet for the youngest member of the family (trying to make the exercise meaningful) and that developed into D for Dog.
So I got a picture of our dog,
I decided that I didn't need to do all c-based patterns, I could include some straight lines, as that is something that so many children who are not taught hand-writing properly are not taught - to come DOWN first.
Now I am playing around with different patterns instead of my usual doodling.
Somewhere in all of this we are also playing around with alliteration, trying to make our own tongue twisters. Sometimes I miss the fun things you could do with rather mundane-seeming learning tasks.
7 comments:
Brilliant idea! Hope young lady is enjoying her classes with you.
Thanks theregatha, I am certainly finding it mentally stimulating. Our lesson today was good, she even chose to do an extra letter by herself while I worked with her sister. That made me feel good - that she was so engaged.
Hi Mary
Love the doodles and the dog. What a great idea and I also love the bags.
Thanks Glennis, I might have to see if I can get some work teaching handwriting - NOT. But is is fun, we are both enjoying the work. I find I am often thinking of what sort of fluency pattern will suit particular letters. Only 21 weeks to go till we have finished the alphabet! Not sure how her enthusiasm will go, will have to keep stretching the imagination.
Hi Mary
Thinking about the writing, I always used to do patterns like the ones I was taught in Grade 2, 3 (many years ago). We were taught copperplate writing from a book and it had lots of patterns in it. In my later teaching life I always used patterns when teaching writing.
I don't think writing is taught any more.
Hi again Glennis,
I think you might be right. Just towards the end of my teaching career we brought in a new way of teaching in the Early Years, it was a way to organise your time rather than new theory. But it didn't allow any time for handwriting. Eventually that was noticed but I am not sure if there are specific handwriting lessons reinstated. I do know someone who works with year 8 students and she noticed that not only do the students not have good handwriting, they can't use a keyboard either as they are used to iPads! What is this young generating being taught!!! (And other old lady statements.)
Hi again Glennis,
I think you might be right. Just towards the end of my teaching career we brought in a new way of teaching in the Early Years, it was a way to organise your time rather than new theory. But it didn't allow any time for handwriting. Eventually that was noticed but I am not sure if there are specific handwriting lessons reinstated. I do know someone who works with year 8 students and she noticed that not only do the students not have good handwriting, they can't use a keyboard either as they are used to iPads! What is this young generating being taught!!! (And other old lady statements.)
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