Aim:
Ø To enable children to write fluently, comfortably, quickly and legibly.

Special emphasis will be placed on:

Ø Preparation (pre-writing activities in Infant classes)
Ø Pencil grip
Ø Posture
Ø Practice (letter formation is clearly illustrated and an alphabet reference may be provided for pre-cursive and cursive scripts).
Ø Self Assessment: It is hoped that the children will engage in self-assessment whereby they will judge their own work by ticking boxes, matching three different faces (good, fair or poor).

Writing Implements

Triangular pencils, will be used in Infant Classes.

Pencils will be used for writing exclusively up to the end of Third Class.

A pen licence will be granted to those in 4^th Class who have shown good handwriting skills for a sustained period.  It is expected that all pupils will attain the pen licence by the end of 4^th Class.

Pens will be used in Fifth and Sixth Class for writing, erasable pens are recommended.

Handwriting

Junior and Senior Infants:
In Junior Infants, the focus is on the correct formation of all lowercase letters with ‘tails’.

Jolly Phonics is to be used to teach early Phonics and Letter Identification and formation in the Infant Classes. This programme teaches the formation of lower case letters with tails from the start.

Uppercase letters are taught in Senior Infants, This lays the foundation for cursive writing.

Mrs Murphy copy books are used at infant level.

1st / 2nd Class:
In First Class, reinforcement of pre-cursive letter formation is continued.

Lower case cursive is introduced during first and second class.

Go with the Flow handwriting books are used in 1^st and 2^nd Class.

First and Second Class use a pencil for all activities.

Handwriting copies are used in 1^st and 2^nd Class

3rd / 4th Class:
In Third Class, reinforcement of cursive lower case writing is carried out. Later in the year, Upper Case cursive is introduced.

Go with the Flow handwriting books are used in 3^rd and 4^th Class.

When cursive writing is well established in Fourth Class, children begin to write with a pen to those who earn a pen licence.  A pen licence will be awarded (usually – see SEN) by the end of 4^th class.

5th /6th Class:
In Fifth or Sixth Class, lower and uppercase letters are revised and writing rules are re-visited.  There is an emphasis on good cursive handwriting in all subjects.

Special Educational Needs

Write from the Start and Handwriting without tears may be used in SET to assist pupils who are having handwriting difficulties.  In addition the above named programmes may be recommended for use by outside professionals such as Occupational Therapists.

A copy of this policy will be given to all newly-appointed teachers in our school.
The policy will be reviewed every three years.