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Lesson Plan on Cursive Handwriting

Introduction: Students are often excited about the opportunity to learn cursive writing! To master their letter formation, they will need lots of modeling and opportunities to practice their writing. This lesson guides you through how to model writing the lowercase and uppercase “a” and how to provide students with three different opportunities for independent practice. The lesson gives consideration to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles. 

Materials:

Preparation:

  • The teacher will need lined chart paper to write on. Position the chart paper where all students can easily see it.
  • Each student needs either a mini-whiteboard and marker or alternatively, a clipboard or other hard surface, paper, and pencil. 
  • If available, each student needs a juggling scarf. If scarves are not available, this step in the lesson can be modified.
  • Print a copy of the lowercase and uppercase “a” worksheets for each student.
  • Print the letter “Aa” poster and hang it in the classroom in an area easily accessed by students.

Whole Group Lesson:

Begin by introducing students to the cursive lowercase “a.” Refer to the printable poster to show students what the “a” looks like. This poster can remain in your classroom as an anchor chart for students to refer to when they are writing.

Using chart paper, model how to write the letter “a.” It is helpful to provide students with a verbal pathway as you write: Around, down, swing up. Model the formation of the letter “a” several times, using the verbal pathway each time. 

Model for students how to form the letter “a” in the air using a juggling scarf. If you do not have scarves, students can use their index finger to make the letter “a” in the air. Have them chime in with the verbal pathway as they practice forming the letter several times. 

Ask students to practice writing the letter “a” on their whiteboards or paper. Have them make the letter several times. Remind them to use the verbal pathway. 

Independent Practice:

Provide each student with the lowercase “a” worksheet. Circulate around the room, supporting as necessary, as they complete the worksheets. Students who experience difficulty may need to see the formation modeled again and/or be reminded of the verbal pathway to guide their writing. 

Ask students to share the names and occupations they thought of that begin with the letter “a,” which will help out any classmates who need ideas. 

Follow-Up:

Use this same lesson structure to introduce the uppercase “A.” Be certain to point out that the lowercase “a” is a short letter and the uppercase “A” is a tall letter. The printable poster is very helpful for showing students the difference in height between the two letters.

Extensions:

Students can use other modalities to practice forming their letters. Other ideas include:

  • Salt trays
  • Chalkboards
  • Slime
  • Sand
  • Paint

Use the same lesson structure to introduce more cursive letters.

Free printable version of  Printable Cursive Writing Lesson Plan - Courtesy of PrimaryLearning.org