Traces some historical developments in handwriting, noting the effects of different types of pens on handwriting. Reports findings from a study of the late Roman cursive, conducted as part of a project to develop a new model alphabet for school children. (GT)

Reviews literature comparing traditional manuscript alphabets to slanted manuscript alphabets and finds insufficient evidence to support requiring kindergarten, first-, and second-grade children to learn the slanted manuscript alphabet. Notes that since many children enter school knowing how to form their letters in the traditional style, learning…

Outlines the research on handwriting instruction, explaining the importance of handwriting instruction, the controversy over manuscript and cursive writing, and the uniqueness of left-handers. Discusses ways to make handwriting instruction more interesting. (SRT)

This paper argues against teaching children to make letters using circle-stick writing. It contends that the circle-stick method requires continued pen/pencil lifts hindering rhythm or flow in the writing process and that there is little carry-over value into cursive writing as the two scripts are totally different. D'Nealian print, one type of…