Ask the Experts

Q. Do I have to teach handwriting only on double lines? What if we have to use other styles of lined paper for other coursework?

A: The typical classroom does indeed use several styles of paper, so you do want your students to be comfortable using them all. If you start them using double lines correctly, then they can transition easily to other styles. Model for them how to write on other styles every time you use a worksheet that has something other than double lines. If you can help them with the transition to all forms of paper, your students will be able to apply their good handwriting skills consistently.

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Comments (7)

Even by second grade, students have a pencil grip firmly in place, right or wrong. If they are writing perfectly formed letters and sentences, does it really matter what their pencil grip is?

— Connie Simons on August 31, 2008

I work with kindergarten students and find that several haven't got a good pencil grip. Help, one girl has never has been shown which hand to use for printing, (she is using both), she grabs her pencil and does her printing. Remarkably, she does a good job. The real advantage with her is that she is so interesting to doing her work. It's like the world turned on a light. Her eyes are full of the things around her. My question, how do I even begin to help her?

— Connie Otten on September 25, 2008

I work with various groups, K-3. My dyslexia group tends to print capital letters in the middle of words. When I say there is never a capital letter in the middle of a word, their response is that the letter they wrote is not a capital. The two lines have helped them see how certain letters such as s, j, p,v, w, x, z, etc. that they write extending above the middle line look like capitals.

— Karen Hlavinka on December 15, 2008

Pencil grip is extremely important. It prevents (hand) fatigue while writing - an obvious bane while copying notes from the board, etc. We want our students to develop automaticity when they are printing. This will enable them to copy notes from the blackboard with ease and with comprehension. If they have to stop to recall how to form letters correctly, it is just one more 'distraction' to them copying with understanding - we want their printing to be automatic, and their minds to be focussed on understanding the lesson.

Also, children who write with both hands, do not have the opportunity to strengthen one hand, and they end up with two weak hands. It is better to utilize Jan's methods of determining the dominant hand and strengthening that hand, allowing the student to write successfully.

I hope that makes sense. :)

— Heather Hooker on April 6, 2009

I have a little one who has a good tripod grip, but when she moves to something longer than about 1 in, doesn't automatically put it in the webspace, but instead tries to keep it below her hand. I finally figured out a trick to help-I drew a HWT smiley right in the webspace between the thumb and pointer, and told her that Mat Man wanted to help her hold the pencil, so to give him the eraser. So far, it seems to work. I'm hoping that with enough practice, it will become automatic. Meanwhile, I'm thinking little tiny mat man temporary tattoos ;).

— Donna Metler on June 7, 2009

My son is using HWT for printing. He is going into the 4th grade. Is there a way he can use regular notebook paper in class?

— Heather Thomason on August 26, 2010

Yes! If your son displays consistency in the size of capital and lowercase letters, he most likely can transition to notebook paper without difficulty. Model how to use the notebook paper. Children need to be shown how to place their letters on other styles of lines. If there is no differentiation in letter size, continue with the double lines.

— Juliana Guzman on August 27, 2010

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