Stage 3: Letter joins
Handwriting is a skill which, like reading and spelling, affects written communication across the curriculum. Children must be able to write with ease, speed and legibility. Cursive (joined) handwriting teaches pupils to join letters and words as a series of flowing movements and patterns. Handwriting skills should be taught regularly and systematically and we are doing this using a programme called Magic Link.
The Magic Link Handwriting Programme provides a consistently high standard of presentation and handwriting which can be promoted across the whole school which all children and staff recognise, understand and follow. It offers a consistent learning experience which supports and inspires high achievement for all. For children and teachers this aims to foster a sense of pride and respect in their work. Self-esteem is raised when children are able to communicate meaning accurately.
Aims of the Magic Link Handwriting Programme
• Achieve a neat, legible style with correctly formed letters in accordance with the cursive Magic Link font.
• Develop flow and speed.
• Produce the letters automatically in their independent writing.
Teaching and Learning
In order to achieve these aims, the following principles are followed:
•Children should follow the pre-recorded video lessons and printable worksheets to experience coherence and continuity in learning and teaching across the school.
•Develop a recognition and appreciation of pattern and line and be given support in finding a comfortable grip.
•Understand the importance of clear and neat presentation in order to communicate meaning clearly.
•Encouraged to take pride in the presentation of their work and study handwriting with a sense of enjoyment and achievement.
•Be supported in developing correct spelling quickly through a multi-sensory approach to handwriting.
•Shown how to be able to write quickly to aid expressing themselves creatively and imaginatively across the curriculum and for a range of purposes.
•Encourage to use their skills with confidence and pride in real life situations.
The Magic Link Joined-up (Cursive) Programme
The Magic Link programme will involve regular practice of handwriting at least twice a week or more. We aim for children to develop a clear, fluent style and by the end of the 30 steps to be able to adapt their handwriting for different purposes, such as: a neat, legible hand for finished, presented work, a faster script for note making and the ability to print for labelling diagrams etc.
•Designed for pupils aged 6 to 18-year olds.
•The joined-up, cursive programme is a 30-step course.
•All pupils will start on step 1 and follow all the steps exactly.
•The 6 tall letters in the lower case alphabet ‘l,t,h,b,d,k’ are the same height and touch the top line exactly.
•There are NO entry strokes in any letters.
•The body of the letter sits on the line.
There are 15 lower case which have a Magic Link. These are:
(i) 11 Magic Link letters trace over the bottom line exactly:
(ii) 4 Magic Link letters are ‘in the air’ and must be horizontally straight, with no curves. These are:
Pencil grip
For those children using an awkward pencil grip, changing the grip takes time and it is normal for children to need a lot of reminding in every step. A wrap-around thumb makes handwriting awkward and hides the letters. We will always use a triangular-shaped pen or pencil and encourage ‘frog’s legs fingers’ and eventually this grip will become easier and more natural. A further explanation can be seen on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxdUlX6lTHc
The Role of Families
We will be teaching this programme with daily practice in school, but families are encouraged to practice this with their children at home when they are writing too. The Magic Link worksheets will be sent home after each step so that the exercises can be practised, or you can download copies using the link below. A correct and comfortable grip of the pen or pencil often requires ongoing reminders. This should be reinforced at home and the video below provides more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr3S8tgFg38
For further information, you can also visit: https://magiclinkhandwriting.com/
Please do not hesitate to chat with your child’s class teacher, or Mrs Hill, if you have any questions about this programme and many thanks in advance for your support.