Learn to Write: Print and Cursive Resources
As one of the three so-called basic “r’s” of learning, writing is an essential part of any education curriculum. Good penmanship allows others to read one’s thoughts, and adequate preparation for creative writing, essay composition, and other projects enables a person to go far in their career. This guide is designed to help individuals of all ages, especially children, practice their handwriting. There are also further links to grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and other resources to improve anyone’s writing.
Print Writing
Print writing, which is also known as manuscript style or block writing, is the form of handwriting that is most legible to other readers. It derives its name from the block-like appearance of the letters in the writing style. Ultimately, print writing, like all other kinds of writing, finds its origin in the Sumerian culture of approximately 5,000 years ago. The very first samples of writing from human history come from these Sumerians, who used a pictographic script (the letters and words look like little pictures) to record their ideas. Later on, the Phoenicians developed a system that was based on an alphabet. This type of writing would later exert its influence on the Hebrews, Greeks, and ultimately the Romans, who carried the style with them as they conquered the world. Several centuries later, the Roman alphabet forms the basis of the English alphabet that is used in print writing.
• Alphabet Practice Worksheets — Practice worksheets for printing in D’Nealian and Zaner-Bloser styles are found here.
• Amazing-Incredible Handwriting Worksheet Maker — People can create their own print writing practice worksheets, download pdfs of lined writing paper, and more.
• Basics Gallery — This gallery has practice worksheets for several different writing styles, including print. Free registration allows users to access many more resources.
• Billy Bear: Start Writing — Scroll down on this page for writing lessons, practice worksheets, and more.
• Custom Tracer Pages — Users can create their own worksheets to practice block printing on this site.
• Free Tracing Paper — Parents can create writing practice worksheets for their children to practice print-style writing here.
• Handwriting Practice Worksheets — Scroll down on this page to find several printables for practicing block letters.
• Handwriting Worksheets for Print Practice — Choose traditional print styles to create worksheets for printing practice.
• Letter Formation Guide — This link gives web surfers access to a downloadable pdf that demonstrates the proper pen strokes for writing block letters.
• Letters for the Alphabet — Hundreds of worksheets for practicing block printing are accessible here, along with several other tools.
• One-Word Worksheet Wizard — Using this program, teachers can create many one-word worksheets that students can use to trace words and practice their print handwriting.
• Small Print Manuscript Handwriting Lessons — Scroll down on this page to find several free handwriting lessons and worksheets for block printing.
• Standard Block Print — Many students have learned how to write their letters using these easy practice worksheets.
• Super Teacher Worksheets Handwriting Practice — Worksheets with upper and lower case letters along with numbers and symbols can be found here.
• TLS Worksheets: Handwriting Practice — Scroll down to find several printable writing practice worksheets.
Cursive Writing
Print writing is the style of handwriting that most students learn at the very beginning of their school careers. By the third grade, at least in the United States, most students are moving on to the cursive writing style. Cursive writing is not unique to English, for it just refers to a type of writing that is created to help people take notes and write more quickly. It achieves this through having the letters within words connect to one another. In cursive writing, the writers take their pen off the paper far less frequently than in print writing, thereby speeding up the writing process. After graduating from school, cursive writing is used most often to write checks and to sign documents, probably because cursive writing styles tend to be more specific to each individual, and therefore harder for forgers to imitate.
• ABC Teach: Cursive Writing — Several example pages, practice pages, and more for cursive writing are found here.
• Cursive Handwriting with a Word Processor — Parents and teachers can learn how to make cursive writing practice sheets in Microsoft Word on this page.
• Cursive Practice Writing Site — A worksheet with examples of all letters in cursive can be downloaded on this page.
• Cursive Sentences — Kids can get some more realistic cursive handwriting practice with these worksheets that are designed to help children practice writing their sentences in cursive.
• Draw your World: Handwriting Styles — All manner of cursive handwriting practice worksheets can be found on this site.
• Handwriting Help for Kids — Lessons and practice worksheets for cursive writing are found at the bottom of this site.
• Homeschool Writing Printables — Students can practice several forms of writing via the free worksheets on this page.
• InstructorWeb: Handwriting — On this page, teachers and students can access several different resources for practicing cursive handwriting.
• Lessons in Cursive Handwriting — There are multiple lessons and practice exercises for cursive handwriting on this page.
• Jan Brett Bulletin Board Set — This page has attractive bulletin board posters that depict each letter of the alphabet in cursive.
• Practice Writing Cursive Letters — Users can access many cursive writing practice sheets on this page.
• Soft Schools: Cursive Writing Worksheets — This is a good page with several practice worksheets for upper and lower case cursive writing.
• Tracing Cursive Handwriting — Users can create up to six cursive writing practice sheets at a time on this page.
• Twelve Rules for Cursive Writing — Learn how to perfect one’s cursive writing with these twelve simple rules for good cursive writing.
• Utah State: Handwriting Practice — Many worksheets for practicing both print and cursive handwriting can be accessed at this site from Utah State University.
Other Writing Resources
As noted above, handwriting is not the only skill that needs to be learned for good communication in English. Acquiring a good vocabulary, knowing how to spin a phrase creatively, and much more are all essential for capturing and holding a reader’s attention. Without skills such as these, one’s ability to perform well on the job is hampered. These sites are designed to help anyone improve their writing through vocabulary acquisition, spelling practice, creative writing tips, and other important elements of good English writing.
• Building a Better Vocabulary — Anyone can improve their vocabulary if they follow the tips on this helpful page.
• Calls for Submission — Writers can find a host of contests and other creative writing submission pages here on this site.
• Creative Writing Prompts — Over 346 ideas for starting a story are found on the other side of this link.
• Editing and Proofreading — This page from the University of North Carolina explains the differences between the editing and proofreading process.
• Fun Brain Word Games — There are a variety of excellent word games for children on this site.
• Gamequarium: Language Arts — Children in preschool through the sixth grade will love learning about language arts and writing with these games.
• Homework Hub: Writing — Scholastic provides this online resource for kids that is geared toward helping them improve their writing skills.
• Kids Spelling, Grammar, and Writing Games — All manner of language arts-related games and exercises for children can be found on this site.
• Poetry Express — This is an excellent site with articles on how to write poetry, poetry tips, and much more.
• Proofreading and Editing Tips — There are several excellent tips for proofreading and editing one’s writing on this page.
• Purdue Online Writing Lab — This is an excellent one-stop site for a guide to English grammar.
• Spelling it Right — Spelling tips, worksheets, and more are all featured on this site that is dedicated to helping people improve their spelling.
• Spice Up Your Spelling — A third grade teacher suggests several creative ways that parents can help their children practice their spelling skills.
• Story Starters — Each of the links of this page downloads a pdf with one line that students can elaborate upon to write a story.
• Submission Etiquette — Everything a writer should know about submitting a piece for publication is helpfully summarized in this article.
• Thesaurus.com — Thesaurus.com is a free online thesaurus, which is an essential tool for any aspiring writer.
• Tips for Writing History Papers — The tips for writing history papers found on this site can be applied to writing for any of the liberal arts.
• Vocabulary.com — Users can visit this site to learn new words and help them become more adept at using the English language.
• Word Play for Kids — Improve grammar and writing skills with these fun games about the proper use of words.
• Writing Exercises for Creative Fiction Writers — There are several exercises on this page to help budding creative writers of all ages compose better fiction.
Please feel free to print out any of these resources at home. Before you do, be sure to stock up on high quality remanufactured inkjet and toner cartridges.
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