Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

National Handwriting Day Pack

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

Content• Nine ways to encourage writing• Shapes and patterns• Ten ideas for hand and finger play• Ten ideas for developing handwriting

through making and modelling• Pencil posture• Uppercase alphabet• Lowercase alphabet

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

6. Play date or Party invitations

Encourage the class to write invitations to a party. Alternatively, they could write a card or note to invite a friend to come over and play.

7. Letters to the past

Why not get parents involved? Ask them to write a short note to their child and encourage them to write back. It's also a good idea to keep the same note going back and forth, folding each time so that they have to open the message for added excitement.

8. Pen pals

If your school has connections with a school abroad, work with them to set up a pen pal scheme. A younger child could draw pictures and write their address, while older children could ask about their pen pal's home and write a description of their own country. Why not even include photos. Take them to the post office to buy the stamp and post the letter together.

9. Best Ever Menu

Ask the children to write down a menu of all their favourite foods. What would be their dream lunch or dinner? Encourage them to write it down and decorate their menu. Alternatively, they could write a menu with what they are having for lunch or dinner that day.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

Shapes and Patterns

For children to be able to handwrite fluently and quickly, they need to be able to recognise patterns and talk about shapes and movements. Get out and about with your class and explore your surroundings!

When you are out with the children draw their attention to the shapes and patterns in their environment and the world around them. Ask them to identify common shapes and help them to develop the vocabulary for describing them. You can also ask them to trace the shapes with their hand in the sky. Take a look at our photos of iconic buildings around the world and ask them to see what shapes they can find.

1. Arc de Triumph, Paris 2. Chrysler Building, New York 3. Eiffel Tower, Paris

4. Doge’s Palace, Venice 5. Great Wall of China 6. Louvre, Paris

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

7. Machu Picchu, Peru 8. Stonehenge, England 9. Sydney Opera House, Sydney

10. The Great Pyramid, Egypt 11. Tower Bridge, London 12. Tower Bridge, London (with the drawbridge up)

Shapes and Patterns

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

See more on page 2 -->

Action rhymes and finger rhymes are an obvious way to help children explore the movement (stretch, curl, bend, clench, unfurl, point, etc.) and the language of hands (palms, fingers, thumbs, wrists, index, knuckles, etc.). Exercising fingers in preparation for handwriting is important as small children may find it physically tiring to hold pens and pencils – they often grip too tightly. The rhymes below are suggested for practicing different hand and finger movements, but there are many, many more. Consider building a few of these into a routine so that the children adopt the habit of warming up the hands and fingers in preparation for handwriting. You may just want to do them because they’re fun!

Focus of rhyme

1. Warming up hands and arms.

2. Working on co-ordination of body actions and brain.

3. Working on contrast: speed, rhythm.

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

Suggested rhyme(s)/action

Make shapes with fingers (triangle, diamond, oval, and circle.Make letter shapes with fingers (e.g. C, O).

a) The Wheels on the Bus

b) Grandmother’s Glasses

c) Peter Hammers

d) Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

e) Slowly, Slowly

Notes for hand actions

Make circles (with thumb and forefingers for wheels) and diagonals (raised forefingers for wipers), waggle all fingers (fingers to thumbs opening and closingto show mouths moving for chattering people), etc.

Hands up to eyes in circles.Hands on head.Clap hands.Interweave fingers and rest.

Use arms with clenched fists, one at a time, then left leg, then right leg, then nod head too.

Touch head, shoulders, knees and toes as you sing.

Walk hand slowly up your arm, then quickly run it up and down for the mouse.

Ten ideas for hand and finger play

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

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if th

ey

ca

n’t

ma

na

ge

the

wh

ole

list

.

2. To

do l

ists

Ask

the

m to

writ

e d

ow

n a

da

ily “t

o d

o” l

ist.

This

co

uld

inc

lud

e m

aki

ng

bre

akf

ast

, pa

ckin

g a

lun

ch

an

d

go

ing

to n

urs

ery

or s

ch

oo

l. Th

is p

rom

ote

s in

de

pe

nd

en

ce

an

d a

lso

ma

kes

the

m th

ink

ab

ou

t th

eir

ow

n

task

s. Y

ou

co

uld

ge

t th

em

to w

rite

do

wn

all

the

thin

gs

the

y h

ave

to d

o in

the

mo

rnin

g b

efo

re th

ey

go

to

sc

ho

ol o

r nu

rse

ry a

nd

inc

lud

e p

ictu

res.

Fo

r exa

mp

le g

et d

ress

ed

, bru

sh m

y te

eth

, ha

ve b

rea

kfa

st e

tc.

The

y c

an

the

n p

ut t

his

in th

eir

be

dro

om

as

a re

min

de

r!

3. Ca

rds/

post

card

s

Ask

the

cla

ss to

writ

e a

po

stc

ard

to a

frie

nd

an

d e

nc

ou

rag

e th

em

to w

rite

ab

ou

t th

eir

loc

al t

ow

n o

r vill

ag

e.

You

ng

er c

hild

ren

wh

o h

ave

n't

yet l

ea

rnt l

ette

r fo

rma

tion

ca

n d

raw

pic

ture

s in

ste

ad

, th

is w

ill s

till h

elp

the

m

de

velo

p th

e fi

ne

mo

tor s

kills

ne

ed

ed

for w

ritin

g.

4. Ho

liday

Jou

rnal

s

Ove

r th

e s

ch

oo

l ho

lida

ys, a

sk y

ou

r cla

ss t

o c

rea

te a

ho

lida

y jo

urn

al o

r sc

rap

bo

ok

wh

ere

the

y re

co

rd

the

ir a

ctiv

itie

s a

nd

ad

ven

ture

s. T

he

y c

ou

ld k

ee

p p

ictu

res,

tick

ets

or l

ea

flets

an

d s

tick

the

m in

the

ir jo

urn

al

wh

ile a

dd

ing

no

tes.

It m

ay

be

too

mu

ch

to w

rite

eve

ry d

ay,

de

pe

nd

ing

on

the

ir a

ge

, bu

t th

ey

co

uld

do

it

at t

he

en

d o

f th

e w

ee

k a

nd

writ

e a

bo

ut t

he

be

st th

ing

s th

at h

ap

pe

ne

d.

5. Bo

ok or

film

revie

w

Sho

w y

ou

r cla

ss b

oo

k o

r film

revi

ew

s o

nlin

e a

nd

su

gg

est

the

y w

rite

on

e o

f th

eir

ow

n. A

sk th

em

to d

esc

ribe

w

ha

t th

e b

oo

k o

r film

wa

s a

bo

ut,

wh

at t

he

y p

art

icu

larly

like

d a

bo

ut i

t an

d w

ha

t th

ey

did

n't

like

. Fin

ally

ask

th

em

to s

co

re th

e b

oo

k o

r film

ou

t of 5

.

Ha

ndw

ritin

g is

so

me

thin

g th

at s

houl

d b

e p

rac

tise

d li

ttle

and

ofte

n. In

this

dig

ital a

ge

, it

is o

ften

cha

lleng

ing

to fi

nd o

pp

ort

uniti

es

to g

et c

hild

ren

to p

rac

tise

at h

om

e a

nd

at s

cho

ol.

He

re a

re n

ine

ide

as

to e

nco

ura

ge

and

insp

ire y

our

cla

ss to

writ

e.

Nin

e id

ea

s to

enc

our

ag

e w

ritin

g

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

Dis

cove

r m

ore

at c

ambridge.org

/pen

pals

Ac

tions

Kne

ad

ing

Rolli

ng

with

rolli

ng

pin

, ha

nd

s o

r fin

ge

rs

Wh

iski

ng

Usi

ng

cu

tters

Kne

ad

ing

an

d m

ou

ldin

g

Ass

oc

iate

d

hand

wri

ting

lang

uag

e

(use

op

po

rtu

niti

es

to ta

lk a

bo

ut

‘lan

gu

ag

e o

f th

e h

an

ds’

, e.g

. p

alm

, knu

ckle

s)

Do

wn

, pre

ss

Awa

y, to

wa

rds,

pre

ss, p

ress

ure

Rou

nd

an

d ro

un

d, c

lock

wis

e,

an

ticlo

ckw

ise

, th

e o

the

r wa

y

Spa

ce

, fin

ge

rs, s

pre

ad

ou

t

Pre

ss, p

ress

ure

, aw

ay,

tow

ard

s

Try…

• M

aki

ng

lette

r-sh

ap

ed

bis

cu

its.

• M

aki

ng

bis

cu

its/c

ake

s a

nd

d

ec

ora

ting

the

m w

ith tu

be

s

of i

cin

g o

r diff

ere

nt s

ha

pe

d

d

ec

ora

tion

s. D

ec

ora

te th

e b

isc

uit

sha

pe

s w

ith d

iffe

ren

t ha

nd

writ

ing

pa

ttern

s.

• M

aki

ng

pa

ttern

s a

nd

lette

rs.

See

more

on p

age

3 -->

Ac

tiviti

es

(ma

ny o

f th

ese

ac

tiviti

es

invo

lve

b

oth

gro

ss a

nd

fin

e m

oto

r ski

lls)

Plia

ble

ma

teri

als

:

3. C

oo

kin

g

4. P

lay

do

ug

h (

soft)

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

Ten

ide

as

for

dev

elo

pin

g h

and

wri

ting

thr

oug

h m

aki

ng a

nd m

od

elli

ng.

Ma

king

and

mo

de

lling

is a

noth

er w

ay

of s

treng

the

ning

and

dev

elo

pin

g fi

ne a

nd g

ross

mo

tor s

kills

. Ge

t out

the

pla

y d

oug

h,

do

so

me

ba

king

and

bui

ld th

ing

s a

nd g

et t

he h

am

me

rs o

ut (

with

sup

erv

isio

n o

f co

urse

), a

ll g

rea

t fun

at t

he s

am

e ti

me

ge

tting

th

em

rea

dy

for w

ritin

g.

Ac

tiviti

es

(ma

ny o

f th

ese

ac

tiviti

es

invo

lve

b

oth

gro

ss a

nd

fin

e m

oto

r ski

lls)

Ha

rd m

ate

ria

ls:

1. U

sin

g a

too

l-kit

an

d p

iec

es

o

f wo

od

2. C

on

stru

ctio

n

Ac

tions

Ha

mm

erin

g

Saw

ing

Scre

win

g

Build

ing

, co

nn

ec

ting

, ma

nip

ula

ting

, lif

ting

, lin

ing

up

, le

velli

ng

Ass

oc

iate

d

hand

wri

ting

lang

uag

e

(use

op

po

rtu

niti

es

to ta

lk a

bo

ut

‘lan

gu

ag

e o

f th

e h

an

ds’

, e.g

. p

alm

, knu

ckle

s)

Stra

igh

t lin

es,

up

, do

wn

Back

an

d fo

rth

, ba

ckw

ard

s a

nd

fo

rwa

rds,

aw

ay,

tow

ard

s

Turn

, clo

ckw

ise

, an

ticlo

ckw

ise

, th

e o

the

r wa

y

Up

, do

wn

, hig

h, l

ow

, le

ft, ri

gh

t, u

nd

er

Try…

• c

ap

ital l

ette

rs

• lo

ng

lad

de

rs

• zi

g-z

ag

s

• Pa

ttern

s w

ith s

traig

ht l

ine

s

See

more

on p

age

2-->

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

1. Sho

pping

List

s

This

is a

gre

at t

ask

tha

t ca

n b

e a

da

pte

d d

ep

en

din

g o

n th

e a

ge

of t

he

ch

ildre

n. T

he

yo

un

ge

r ch

ildre

n

co

uld

dra

w th

e it

em

s, th

e o

lde

r ch

ildre

n c

an

writ

e d

ow

n th

e n

am

es

or j

ust

ad

d o

ne

or t

wo

ite

ms

if th

ey

ca

n’t

ma

na

ge

the

wh

ole

list

.

2. To

do l

ists

Ask

the

m to

writ

e d

ow

n a

da

ily “t

o d

o” l

ist.

This

co

uld

inc

lud

e m

aki

ng

bre

akf

ast

, pa

ckin

g a

lun

ch

an

d

go

ing

to n

urs

ery

or s

ch

oo

l. Th

is p

rom

ote

s in

de

pe

nd

en

ce

an

d a

lso

ma

kes

the

m th

ink

ab

ou

t th

eir

ow

n

task

s. Y

ou

co

uld

ge

t th

em

to w

rite

do

wn

all

the

thin

gs

the

y h

ave

to d

o in

the

mo

rnin

g b

efo

re th

ey

go

to

sc

ho

ol o

r nu

rse

ry a

nd

inc

lud

e p

ictu

res.

Fo

r exa

mp

le g

et d

ress

ed

, bru

sh m

y te

eth

, ha

ve b

rea

kfa

st e

tc.

The

y c

an

the

n p

ut t

his

in th

eir

be

dro

om

as

a re

min

de

r!

3. Ca

rds/

post

card

s

Ask

the

cla

ss to

writ

e a

po

stc

ard

to a

frie

nd

an

d e

nc

ou

rag

e th

em

to w

rite

ab

ou

t th

eir

loc

al t

ow

n o

r vill

ag

e.

You

ng

er c

hild

ren

wh

o h

ave

n't

yet l

ea

rnt l

ette

r fo

rma

tion

ca

n d

raw

pic

ture

s in

ste

ad

, th

is w

ill s

till h

elp

the

m

de

velo

p th

e fi

ne

mo

tor s

kills

ne

ed

ed

for w

ritin

g.

4. Ho

liday

Jou

rnal

s

Ove

r th

e s

ch

oo

l ho

lida

ys, a

sk y

ou

r cla

ss t

o c

rea

te a

ho

lida

y jo

urn

al o

r sc

rap

bo

ok

wh

ere

the

y re

co

rd

the

ir a

ctiv

itie

s a

nd

ad

ven

ture

s. T

he

y c

ou

ld k

ee

p p

ictu

res,

tick

ets

or l

ea

flets

an

d s

tick

the

m in

the

ir jo

urn

al

wh

ile a

dd

ing

no

tes.

It m

ay

be

too

mu

ch

to w

rite

eve

ry d

ay,

de

pe

nd

ing

on

the

ir a

ge

, bu

t th

ey

co

uld

do

it

at t

he

en

d o

f th

e w

ee

k a

nd

writ

e a

bo

ut t

he

be

st th

ing

s th

at h

ap

pe

ne

d.

5. Bo

ok or

film

revie

w

Sho

w y

ou

r cla

ss b

oo

k o

r film

revi

ew

s o

nlin

e a

nd

su

gg

est

the

y w

rite

on

e o

f th

eir

ow

n. A

sk th

em

to d

esc

ribe

w

ha

t th

e b

oo

k o

r film

wa

s a

bo

ut,

wh

at t

he

y p

art

icu

larly

like

d a

bo

ut i

t an

d w

ha

t th

ey

did

n't

like

. Fin

ally

ask

th

em

to s

co

re th

e b

oo

k o

r film

ou

t of 5

.

Ha

ndw

ritin

g is

so

me

thin

g th

at s

houl

d b

e p

rac

tise

d li

ttle

and

ofte

n. In

this

dig

ital a

ge

, it

is o

ften

cha

lleng

ing

to fi

nd o

pp

ort

uniti

es

to g

et c

hild

ren

to p

rac

tise

at h

om

e a

nd

at s

cho

ol.

He

re a

re n

ine

ide

as

to e

nco

ura

ge

and

insp

ire y

our

cla

ss to

writ

e.

Nin

e id

ea

s to

enc

our

ag

e w

ritin

g

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

Dis

cove

r m

ore

at c

ambridge.org

/pen

pals

Ac

tions

Kne

ad

ing

Rolli

ng

with

rolli

ng

pin

, ha

nd

s o

r fin

ge

rs

Wh

iski

ng

Usi

ng

cu

tters

Kne

ad

ing

an

d m

ou

ldin

g

Ass

oc

iate

d

hand

wri

ting

lang

uag

e

(use

op

po

rtu

niti

es

to ta

lk a

bo

ut

‘lan

gu

ag

e o

f th

e h

an

ds’

, e.g

. p

alm

, knu

ckle

s)

Do

wn

, pre

ss

Awa

y, to

wa

rds,

pre

ss, p

ress

ure

Rou

nd

an

d ro

un

d, c

lock

wis

e,

an

ticlo

ckw

ise

, th

e o

the

r wa

y

Spa

ce

, fin

ge

rs, s

pre

ad

ou

t

Pre

ss, p

ress

ure

, aw

ay,

tow

ard

s

Try…

• M

aki

ng

lette

r-sh

ap

ed

bis

cu

its.

• M

aki

ng

bis

cu

its/c

ake

s a

nd

d

ec

ora

ting

the

m w

ith tu

be

s

of i

cin

g o

r diff

ere

nt s

ha

pe

d

d

ec

ora

tion

s. D

ec

ora

te th

e b

isc

uit

sha

pe

s w

ith d

iffe

ren

t ha

nd

writ

ing

pa

ttern

s.

• M

aki

ng

pa

ttern

s a

nd

lette

rs.

See

more

on p

age

3 -->

Ac

tiviti

es

(ma

ny o

f th

ese

ac

tiviti

es

invo

lve

b

oth

gro

ss a

nd

fin

e m

oto

r ski

lls)

Plia

ble

ma

teri

als

:

3. C

oo

kin

g

4. P

lay

do

ug

h (

soft)

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

Ten

ide

as

for

dev

elo

pin

g h

and

wri

ting

thr

oug

h m

aki

ng a

nd m

od

elli

ng.

Ma

king

and

mo

de

lling

is a

noth

er w

ay

of s

treng

the

ning

and

dev

elo

pin

g fi

ne a

nd g

ross

mo

tor s

kills

. Ge

t out

the

pla

y d

oug

h,

do

so

me

ba

king

and

bui

ld th

ing

s a

nd g

et t

he h

am

me

rs o

ut (

with

sup

erv

isio

n o

f co

urse

), a

ll g

rea

t fun

at t

he s

am

e ti

me

ge

tting

th

em

rea

dy

for w

ritin

g.

Ac

tiviti

es

(ma

ny o

f th

ese

ac

tiviti

es

invo

lve

b

oth

gro

ss a

nd

fin

e m

oto

r ski

lls)

Ha

rd m

ate

ria

ls:

1. U

sin

g a

too

l-kit

an

d p

iec

es

o

f wo

od

2. C

on

stru

ctio

n

Ac

tions

Ha

mm

erin

g

Saw

ing

Scre

win

g

Build

ing

, co

nn

ec

ting

, ma

nip

ula

ting

, lif

ting

, lin

ing

up

, le

velli

ng

Ass

oc

iate

d

hand

wri

ting

lang

uag

e

(use

op

po

rtu

niti

es

to ta

lk a

bo

ut

‘lan

gu

ag

e o

f th

e h

an

ds’

, e.g

. p

alm

, knu

ckle

s)

Stra

igh

t lin

es,

up

, do

wn

Back

an

d fo

rth

, ba

ckw

ard

s a

nd

fo

rwa

rds,

aw

ay,

tow

ard

s

Turn

, clo

ckw

ise

, an

ticlo

ckw

ise

, th

e o

the

r wa

y

Up

, do

wn

, hig

h, l

ow

, le

ft, ri

gh

t, u

nd

er

Try…

• c

ap

ital l

ette

rs

• lo

ng

lad

de

rs

• zi

g-z

ag

s

• Pa

ttern

s w

ith s

traig

ht l

ine

s

See

more

on p

age

2-->

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

1. Sho

pping

List

s

This

is a

gre

at t

ask

tha

t ca

n b

e a

da

pte

d d

ep

en

din

g o

n th

e a

ge

of t

he

ch

ildre

n. T

he

yo

un

ge

r ch

ildre

n

co

uld

dra

w th

e it

em

s, th

e o

lde

r ch

ildre

n c

an

writ

e d

ow

n th

e n

am

es

or j

ust

ad

d o

ne

or t

wo

ite

ms

if th

ey

ca

n’t

ma

na

ge

the

wh

ole

list

.

2. To

do l

ists

Ask

the

m to

writ

e d

ow

n a

da

ily “t

o d

o” l

ist.

This

co

uld

inc

lud

e m

aki

ng

bre

akf

ast

, pa

ckin

g a

lun

ch

an

d

go

ing

to n

urs

ery

or s

ch

oo

l. Th

is p

rom

ote

s in

de

pe

nd

en

ce

an

d a

lso

ma

kes

the

m th

ink

ab

ou

t th

eir

ow

n

task

s. Y

ou

co

uld

ge

t th

em

to w

rite

do

wn

all

the

thin

gs

the

y h

ave

to d

o in

the

mo

rnin

g b

efo

re th

ey

go

to

sc

ho

ol o

r nu

rse

ry a

nd

inc

lud

e p

ictu

res.

Fo

r exa

mp

le g

et d

ress

ed

, bru

sh m

y te

eth

, ha

ve b

rea

kfa

st e

tc.

The

y c

an

the

n p

ut t

his

in th

eir

be

dro

om

as

a re

min

de

r!

3. Ca

rds/

post

card

s

Ask

the

cla

ss to

writ

e a

po

stc

ard

to a

frie

nd

an

d e

nc

ou

rag

e th

em

to w

rite

ab

ou

t th

eir

loc

al t

ow

n o

r vill

ag

e.

You

ng

er c

hild

ren

wh

o h

ave

n't

yet l

ea

rnt l

ette

r fo

rma

tion

ca

n d

raw

pic

ture

s in

ste

ad

, th

is w

ill s

till h

elp

the

m

de

velo

p th

e fi

ne

mo

tor s

kills

ne

ed

ed

for w

ritin

g.

4. Ho

liday

Jou

rnal

s

Ove

r th

e s

ch

oo

l ho

lida

ys, a

sk y

ou

r cla

ss t

o c

rea

te a

ho

lida

y jo

urn

al o

r sc

rap

bo

ok

wh

ere

the

y re

co

rd

the

ir a

ctiv

itie

s a

nd

ad

ven

ture

s. T

he

y c

ou

ld k

ee

p p

ictu

res,

tick

ets

or l

ea

flets

an

d s

tick

the

m in

the

ir jo

urn

al

wh

ile a

dd

ing

no

tes.

It m

ay

be

too

mu

ch

to w

rite

eve

ry d

ay,

de

pe

nd

ing

on

the

ir a

ge

, bu

t th

ey

co

uld

do

it

at t

he

en

d o

f th

e w

ee

k a

nd

writ

e a

bo

ut t

he

be

st th

ing

s th

at h

ap

pe

ne

d.

5. Bo

ok or

film

revie

w

Sho

w y

ou

r cla

ss b

oo

k o

r film

revi

ew

s o

nlin

e a

nd

su

gg

est

the

y w

rite

on

e o

f th

eir

ow

n. A

sk th

em

to d

esc

ribe

w

ha

t th

e b

oo

k o

r film

wa

s a

bo

ut,

wh

at t

he

y p

art

icu

larly

like

d a

bo

ut i

t an

d w

ha

t th

ey

did

n't

like

. Fin

ally

ask

th

em

to s

co

re th

e b

oo

k o

r film

ou

t of 5

.

Ha

ndw

ritin

g is

so

me

thin

g th

at s

houl

d b

e p

rac

tise

d li

ttle

and

ofte

n. In

this

dig

ital a

ge

, it

is o

ften

cha

lleng

ing

to fi

nd o

pp

ort

uniti

es

to g

et c

hild

ren

to p

rac

tise

at h

om

e a

nd

at s

cho

ol.

He

re a

re n

ine

ide

as

to e

nco

ura

ge

and

insp

ire y

our

cla

ss to

writ

e.

Nin

e id

ea

s to

enc

our

ag

e w

ritin

g

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

Dis

cove

r m

ore

at c

ambridge.org

/pen

pals

Ac

tions

Pla

stic

ine

will

stre

ng

the

n th

e

mu

scle

s m

ore

effe

ctiv

ely

as

it is

h

ard

er a

nd

req

uire

s m

ore

forc

e

Ma

kin

g s

au

sag

es

pre

ssin

g fl

at o

r ro

llin

g o

ut f

lat

Pin

ce

r ho

ld if

usi

ng

a b

od

kin

or

sim

ilar

Ha

nd

-eye

co

-ord

ina

tion

to c

on

trol

the

up

/do

wn

, pu

sh/p

ull

rep

etit

ion

o

f se

win

g o

r th

rea

din

g

Ass

oc

iate

d

hand

wri

ting

lang

uag

e

(use

op

po

rtu

niti

es

to ta

lk a

bo

ut

‘lan

gu

ag

e o

f th

e h

an

ds’

, e.g

. p

alm

, knu

ckle

s)

rou

nd

an

d ro

un

d, c

lock

wis

e,

an

ticlo

ckw

ise

, th

e o

the

r wa

y,

spa

ce

, fin

ge

rs, s

pre

ad

ou

t, c

arv

e,

scra

tch

, ru

b, s

cra

pe

, ma

ke h

ole

s,

etc

.

Up

, do

wn

, ba

ck a

ga

in h

old

Un

de

r, o

ver,

rou

nd

an

d ro

un

d

Try…

• M

aki

ng

pa

ttern

s a

nd

lette

rs.

• M

aki

ng

mo

de

ls (

e.g

. pe

op

le,

a

pa

rk).

•

Ma

kin

g a

se

ries

of l

am

ina

ted

m

ats

tha

t fe

atu

re le

tter s

ha

pe

s

an

d p

atte

rns.

En

co

ura

ge

the

c

hild

ren

to o

verla

y th

e p

atte

rns

w

ith th

eir

Pla

stic

ine

or d

ou

gh

.

• Pu

sh o

bje

cts

an

d to

ols

into

it

to

ma

ke p

atte

rns

• U

sin

g p

last

ic c

offe

e s

tirre

rs fr

om

fa

st fo

od

ch

ain

s fo

r th

rea

din

g.

See

more

on p

age

4 -->

Ac

tiviti

es

(ma

ny o

f th

ese

ac

tiviti

es

invo

lve

b

oth

gro

ss a

nd

fin

e m

oto

r ski

lls)

Plia

ble

ma

teri

als

:

5. P

last

icin

e (

ha

rd)

6. C

lay

(stic

ky a

nd

ha

rd b

ut m

ay

ch

an

ge

form

if w

ate

r is

ad

de

d)

Prec

isio

n, c

ontr

ol a

nd p

ince

r grip

:

7. S

ew

ing

8. W

ea

vin

g

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

Ten

ide

as

for

dev

elo

pin

g h

and

wri

ting

thr

oug

h m

aki

ng a

nd m

od

elli

ng.

Ma

king

and

mo

de

lling

is a

noth

er w

ay

of s

treng

the

ning

and

dev

elo

pin

g fi

ne a

nd g

ross

mo

tor s

kills

. Ge

t out

the

pla

y d

oug

h,

do

so

me

ba

king

and

bui

ld th

ing

s a

nd g

et t

he h

am

me

rs o

ut (

with

sup

erv

isio

n o

f co

urse

), a

ll g

rea

t fun

at t

he s

am

e ti

me

ge

tting

th

em

rea

dy

for w

ritin

g.

Ac

tiviti

es

(ma

ny o

f th

ese

ac

tiviti

es

invo

lve

b

oth

gro

ss a

nd

fin

e m

oto

r ski

lls)

Ha

rd m

ate

ria

ls:

1. U

sin

g a

too

l-kit

an

d p

iec

es

o

f wo

od

2. C

on

stru

ctio

n

Ac

tions

Ha

mm

erin

g

Saw

ing

Scre

win

g

Build

ing

, co

nn

ec

ting

, ma

nip

ula

ting

, lif

ting

, lin

ing

up

, le

velli

ng

Ass

oc

iate

d

hand

wri

ting

lang

uag

e

(use

op

po

rtu

niti

es

to ta

lk a

bo

ut

‘lan

gu

ag

e o

f th

e h

an

ds’

, e.g

. p

alm

, knu

ckle

s)

Stra

igh

t lin

es,

up

, do

wn

Back

an

d fo

rth

, ba

ckw

ard

s a

nd

fo

rwa

rds,

aw

ay,

tow

ard

s

Turn

, clo

ckw

ise

, an

ticlo

ckw

ise

, th

e o

the

r wa

y

Up

, do

wn

, hig

h, l

ow

, le

ft, ri

gh

t, u

nd

er

Try…

• c

ap

ital l

ette

rs

• lo

ng

lad

de

rs

• zi

g-z

ag

s

• Pa

ttern

s w

ith s

traig

ht l

ine

s

See

more

on p

age

2-->

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

1. Sho

pping

List

s

This

is a

gre

at t

ask

tha

t ca

n b

e a

da

pte

d d

ep

en

din

g o

n th

e a

ge

of t

he

ch

ildre

n. T

he

yo

un

ge

r ch

ildre

n

co

uld

dra

w th

e it

em

s, th

e o

lde

r ch

ildre

n c

an

writ

e d

ow

n th

e n

am

es

or j

ust

ad

d o

ne

or t

wo

ite

ms

if th

ey

ca

n’t

ma

na

ge

the

wh

ole

list

.

2. To

do l

ists

Ask

the

m to

writ

e d

ow

n a

da

ily “t

o d

o” l

ist.

This

co

uld

inc

lud

e m

aki

ng

bre

akf

ast

, pa

ckin

g a

lun

ch

an

d

go

ing

to n

urs

ery

or s

ch

oo

l. Th

is p

rom

ote

s in

de

pe

nd

en

ce

an

d a

lso

ma

kes

the

m th

ink

ab

ou

t th

eir

ow

n

task

s. Y

ou

co

uld

ge

t th

em

to w

rite

do

wn

all

the

thin

gs

the

y h

ave

to d

o in

the

mo

rnin

g b

efo

re th

ey

go

to

sc

ho

ol o

r nu

rse

ry a

nd

inc

lud

e p

ictu

res.

Fo

r exa

mp

le g

et d

ress

ed

, bru

sh m

y te

eth

, ha

ve b

rea

kfa

st e

tc.

The

y c

an

the

n p

ut t

his

in th

eir

be

dro

om

as

a re

min

de

r!

3. Ca

rds/

post

card

s

Ask

the

cla

ss to

writ

e a

po

stc

ard

to a

frie

nd

an

d e

nc

ou

rag

e th

em

to w

rite

ab

ou

t th

eir

loc

al t

ow

n o

r vill

ag

e.

You

ng

er c

hild

ren

wh

o h

ave

n't

yet l

ea

rnt l

ette

r fo

rma

tion

ca

n d

raw

pic

ture

s in

ste

ad

, th

is w

ill s

till h

elp

the

m

de

velo

p th

e fi

ne

mo

tor s

kills

ne

ed

ed

for w

ritin

g.

4. Ho

liday

Jou

rnal

s

Ove

r th

e s

ch

oo

l ho

lida

ys, a

sk y

ou

r cla

ss t

o c

rea

te a

ho

lida

y jo

urn

al o

r sc

rap

bo

ok

wh

ere

the

y re

co

rd

the

ir a

ctiv

itie

s a

nd

ad

ven

ture

s. T

he

y c

ou

ld k

ee

p p

ictu

res,

tick

ets

or l

ea

flets

an

d s

tick

the

m in

the

ir jo

urn

al

wh

ile a

dd

ing

no

tes.

It m

ay

be

too

mu

ch

to w

rite

eve

ry d

ay,

de

pe

nd

ing

on

the

ir a

ge

, bu

t th

ey

co

uld

do

it

at t

he

en

d o

f th

e w

ee

k a

nd

writ

e a

bo

ut t

he

be

st th

ing

s th

at h

ap

pe

ne

d.

5. Bo

ok or

film

revie

w

Sho

w y

ou

r cla

ss b

oo

k o

r film

revi

ew

s o

nlin

e a

nd

su

gg

est

the

y w

rite

on

e o

f th

eir

ow

n. A

sk th

em

to d

esc

ribe

w

ha

t th

e b

oo

k o

r film

wa

s a

bo

ut,

wh

at t

he

y p

art

icu

larly

like

d a

bo

ut i

t an

d w

ha

t th

ey

did

n't

like

. Fin

ally

ask

th

em

to s

co

re th

e b

oo

k o

r film

ou

t of 5

.

Ha

ndw

ritin

g is

so

me

thin

g th

at s

houl

d b

e p

rac

tise

d li

ttle

and

ofte

n. In

this

dig

ital a

ge

, it

is o

ften

cha

lleng

ing

to fi

nd o

pp

ort

uniti

es

to g

et c

hild

ren

to p

rac

tise

at h

om

e a

nd

at s

cho

ol.

He

re a

re n

ine

ide

as

to e

nco

ura

ge

and

insp

ire y

our

cla

ss to

writ

e.

Nin

e id

ea

s to

enc

our

ag

e w

ritin

g

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

Dis

cove

r m

ore

at c

ambridge.org

/pen

pals

Ac

tions

De

xte

rity

if a

ltern

atin

g s

trip

s o

f p

ap

er o

r fa

bric

for w

ea

vin

g

Pin

ce

r mo

vem

en

t fo

r pic

kin

g

up

an

d s

ort

ing

; pu

shin

g d

ow

n,

glu

ing

Ass

oc

iate

d

hand

wri

ting

lang

uag

e

(use

op

po

rtu

niti

es

to ta

lk a

bo

ut

‘lan

gu

ag

e o

f th

e h

an

ds’

, e.g

. p

alm

, knu

ckle

s)

Big

, sm

all,

up

, do

wn

, hig

h, l

ow

, le

ft, ri

gh

t, u

nd

er

Try…

• M

aki

ng

po

m-p

om

s b

y w

ind

ing

wo

ol

rou

nd

an

d ro

un

d tw

o P

olo

-sh

ap

ed

p

iec

es

of c

ard

. Wh

en

qu

ite fa

t with

wo

ol,

snip

all

the

wa

y ro

un

d th

e e

dg

e.

Tie

tig

htly

in b

etw

ee

n th

e tw

o p

iec

es

of c

ard

be

fore

rem

ovi

ng

the

m.

• C

hild

ren

se

w o

ver t

he

ir n

am

es

with

a

bo

dki

n n

ee

dle

an

d w

oo

l on

a c

lea

n

po

lyst

yre

ne

tra

y.•

We

avi

ng

with

lon

g s

trip

s o

f pa

pe

r a

nd

th

en

stic

kin

g th

e w

ea

vin

g b

eh

ind

cu

t-ou

ts

o

f pa

ttern

or l

ette

r sh

ap

es

on

bla

ck

sug

ar p

ap

er.

• M

aki

ng

sh

ort

an

d lo

ng

pa

sta

ne

ckla

ce

s:

u

se s

traig

ht,

spira

l or w

he

el p

ast

a.

• Th

rea

din

g b

utto

ns

on

to s

trin

gs.

• M

aki

ng

se

qu

en

ce

s o

r ma

tch

ing

pa

ttern

s

to

tho

se g

ive

n o

n la

min

ate

d c

ard

s.

• M

aki

ng

diff

ere

nt t

ext

ure

s.

Ac

tiviti

es

(ma

ny o

f th

ese

ac

tiviti

es

invo

lve

b

oth

gro

ss a

nd

fin

e m

oto

r ski

lls)

Prec

isio

n, c

ontr

ol a

nd p

ince

r grip

:

9. T

hre

ad

ing

10. C

olla

ge

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

Ac

tions

De

xte

rity

if a

ltern

atin

g s

trip

s o

f p

ap

er o

r fa

bric

for w

ea

vin

g

Pin

ce

r mo

vem

en

t fo

r pic

kin

g

up

an

d s

ort

ing

; pu

shin

g d

ow

n,

glu

ing

Ass

oc

iate

d

hand

wri

ting

lang

uag

e

(use

op

po

rtu

niti

es

to ta

lk a

bo

ut

‘lan

gu

ag

e o

f th

e h

an

ds’

, e.g

. p

alm

, knu

ckle

s)

Big

, sm

all,

up

, do

wn

, hig

h, l

ow

, le

ft, ri

gh

t, u

nd

er

Try…

• M

aki

ng

po

m-p

om

s b

y w

ind

ing

wo

ol

rou

nd

an

d ro

un

d tw

o P

olo

-sh

ap

ed

p

iec

es

of c

ard

. Wh

en

qu

ite fa

t with

wo

ol,

snip

all

the

wa

y ro

un

d th

e e

dg

e.

Tie

tig

htly

in b

etw

ee

n th

e tw

o p

iec

es

of c

ard

be

fore

rem

ovi

ng

the

m.

• C

hild

ren

se

w o

ver t

he

ir n

am

es

with

a

bo

dki

n n

ee

dle

an

d w

oo

l on

a c

lea

n

po

lyst

yre

ne

tra

y.•

We

avi

ng

with

lon

g s

trip

s o

f pa

pe

r a

nd

th

en

stic

kin

g th

e w

ea

vin

g b

eh

ind

cu

t-ou

ts

o

f pa

ttern

or l

ette

r sh

ap

es

on

bla

ck

sug

ar p

ap

er.

• M

aki

ng

sh

ort

an

d lo

ng

pa

sta

ne

ckla

ce

s:

u

se s

traig

ht,

spira

l or w

he

el p

ast

a.

• Th

rea

din

g b

utto

ns

on

to s

trin

gs.

• M

aki

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se

qu

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ce

s o

r ma

tch

ing

pa

ttern

s

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tho

se g

ive

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n la

min

ate

d c

ard

s.

• M

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diff

ere

nt t

ext

ure

s.

Ac

tiviti

es

(ma

ny o

f th

ese

ac

tiviti

es

invo

lve

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oth

gro

ss a

nd

fin

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r ski

lls)

Prec

isio

n, c

ontr

ol a

nd p

ince

r grip

:

9. T

hre

ad

ing

10. C

olla

ge

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

Ten

ide

as

for

dev

elo

pin

g h

and

wri

ting

thr

oug

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aki

ng a

nd m

od

elli

ng.

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king

and

mo

de

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noth

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ay

of s

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ning

and

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ross

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tor s

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. Ge

t out

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oug

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do

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me

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king

and

bui

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s a

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et t

he h

am

me

rs o

ut (

with

sup

erv

isio

n o

f co

urse

), a

ll g

rea

t fun

at t

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am

e ti

me

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tting

th

em

rea

dy

for w

ritin

g.

Ac

tiviti

es

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ny o

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ese

ac

tiviti

es

invo

lve

b

oth

gro

ss a

nd

fin

e m

oto

r ski

lls)

Ha

rd m

ate

ria

ls:

1. U

sin

g a

too

l-kit

an

d p

iec

es

o

f wo

od

2. C

on

stru

ctio

n

Ac

tions

Ha

mm

erin

g

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ing

Scre

win

g

Build

ing

, co

nn

ec

ting

, ma

nip

ula

ting

, lif

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up

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velli

ng

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d

hand

wri

ting

lang

uag

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op

po

rtu

niti

es

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lk a

bo

ut

‘lan

gu

ag

e o

f th

e h

an

ds’

, e.g

. p

alm

, knu

ckle

s)

Stra

igh

t lin

es,

up

, do

wn

Back

an

d fo

rth

, ba

ckw

ard

s a

nd

fo

rwa

rds,

aw

ay,

tow

ard

s

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, clo

ckw

ise

, an

ticlo

ckw

ise

, th

e o

the

r wa

y

Up

, do

wn

, hig

h, l

ow

, le

ft, ri

gh

t, u

nd

er

Try…

• c

ap

ital l

ette

rs

• lo

ng

lad

de

rs

• zi

g-z

ag

s

• Pa

ttern

s w

ith s

traig

ht l

ine

s

See

more

on p

age

2-->

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

1. Sho

pping

List

s

This

is a

gre

at t

ask

tha

t ca

n b

e a

da

pte

d d

ep

en

din

g o

n th

e a

ge

of t

he

ch

ildre

n. T

he

yo

un

ge

r ch

ildre

n

co

uld

dra

w th

e it

em

s, th

e o

lde

r ch

ildre

n c

an

writ

e d

ow

n th

e n

am

es

or j

ust

ad

d o

ne

or t

wo

ite

ms

if th

ey

ca

n’t

ma

na

ge

the

wh

ole

list

.

2. To

do l

ists

Ask

the

m to

writ

e d

ow

n a

da

ily “t

o d

o” l

ist.

This

co

uld

inc

lud

e m

aki

ng

bre

akf

ast

, pa

ckin

g a

lun

ch

an

d

go

ing

to n

urs

ery

or s

ch

oo

l. Th

is p

rom

ote

s in

de

pe

nd

en

ce

an

d a

lso

ma

kes

the

m th

ink

ab

ou

t th

eir

ow

n

task

s. Y

ou

co

uld

ge

t th

em

to w

rite

do

wn

all

the

thin

gs

the

y h

ave

to d

o in

the

mo

rnin

g b

efo

re th

ey

go

to

sc

ho

ol o

r nu

rse

ry a

nd

inc

lud

e p

ictu

res.

Fo

r exa

mp

le g

et d

ress

ed

, bru

sh m

y te

eth

, ha

ve b

rea

kfa

st e

tc.

The

y c

an

the

n p

ut t

his

in th

eir

be

dro

om

as

a re

min

de

r!

3. Ca

rds/

post

card

s

Ask

the

cla

ss to

writ

e a

po

stc

ard

to a

frie

nd

an

d e

nc

ou

rag

e th

em

to w

rite

ab

ou

t th

eir

loc

al t

ow

n o

r vill

ag

e.

You

ng

er c

hild

ren

wh

o h

ave

n't

yet l

ea

rnt l

ette

r fo

rma

tion

ca

n d

raw

pic

ture

s in

ste

ad

, th

is w

ill s

till h

elp

the

m

de

velo

p th

e fi

ne

mo

tor s

kills

ne

ed

ed

for w

ritin

g.

4. Ho

liday

Jou

rnal

s

Ove

r th

e s

ch

oo

l ho

lida

ys, a

sk y

ou

r cla

ss t

o c

rea

te a

ho

lida

y jo

urn

al o

r sc

rap

bo

ok

wh

ere

the

y re

co

rd

the

ir a

ctiv

itie

s a

nd

ad

ven

ture

s. T

he

y c

ou

ld k

ee

p p

ictu

res,

tick

ets

or l

ea

flets

an

d s

tick

the

m in

the

ir jo

urn

al

wh

ile a

dd

ing

no

tes.

It m

ay

be

too

mu

ch

to w

rite

eve

ry d

ay,

de

pe

nd

ing

on

the

ir a

ge

, bu

t th

ey

co

uld

do

it

at t

he

en

d o

f th

e w

ee

k a

nd

writ

e a

bo

ut t

he

be

st th

ing

s th

at h

ap

pe

ne

d.

5. Bo

ok or

film

revie

w

Sho

w y

ou

r cla

ss b

oo

k o

r film

revi

ew

s o

nlin

e a

nd

su

gg

est

the

y w

rite

on

e o

f th

eir

ow

n. A

sk th

em

to d

esc

ribe

w

ha

t th

e b

oo

k o

r film

wa

s a

bo

ut,

wh

at t

he

y p

art

icu

larly

like

d a

bo

ut i

t an

d w

ha

t th

ey

did

n't

like

. Fin

ally

ask

th

em

to s

co

re th

e b

oo

k o

r film

ou

t of 5

.

Ha

ndw

ritin

g is

so

me

thin

g th

at s

houl

d b

e p

rac

tise

d li

ttle

and

ofte

n. In

this

dig

ital a

ge

, it

is o

ften

cha

lleng

ing

to fi

nd o

pp

ort

uniti

es

to g

et c

hild

ren

to p

rac

tise

at h

om

e a

nd

at s

cho

ol.

He

re a

re n

ine

ide

as

to e

nco

ura

ge

and

insp

ire y

our

cla

ss to

writ

e.

Nin

e id

ea

s to

enc

our

ag

e w

ritin

g

Dis

co

ver m

ore

at c

am

bri

dg

e.o

rg/p

enp

als

Dis

cove

r m

ore

at c

ambridge.org

/pen

pals

a b c d e f g h i j

k l m n o p q r s t

u v w x y z

The lower case alphabet

© cambridge.org 2018

Supported by the

a b c d e f g h i j

k l m n o p q r s t

u v w x y z

The lower case alphabet

© cambridge.org 2018

Supported by the

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

The lower case alphabet

a b c d e f g h i j

k l m n o p q r s t

u v w x y z

The lower case alphabet

© cambridge.org 2018

Supported by the

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

1. Shopping Lists

This is a great task that can be adapted depending on the age of the children. The younger children could draw the items, the older children can write down the names or just add one or two items if they can’t manage the whole list.

2. To do lists

Ask them to write down a daily “to do” list. This could include making breakfast, packing a lunch and going to nursery or school. This promotes independence and also makes them think about their own tasks. You could get them to write down all the things they have to do in the morning before they go to school or nursery and include pictures. For example get dressed, brush my teeth, have breakfast etc. They can then put this in their bedroom as a reminder!

3. Cards/postcards

Ask the class to write a postcard to a friend and encourage them to write about their local town or village. Younger children who haven't yet learnt letter formation can draw pictures instead, this will still help them develop the fine motor skills needed for writing.

4. Holiday Journals

Over the school holidays, ask your class to create a holiday journal or scrap book where they record their activities and adventures. They could keep pictures, tickets or leaflets and stick them in their journal while adding notes. It may be too much to write every day, depending on their age, but they could do it at the end of the week and write about the best things that happened.

5. Book or film review

Show your class book or film reviews online and suggest they write one of their own. Ask them to describe what the book or film was about, what they particularly liked about it and what they didn't like. Finally ask them to score the book or film out of 5.

Handwriting is something that should be practised little and often. In this digital age, it is often challenging to find opportunities to get children to practise at home and at school. Here are nine ideas to encourage and inspire your class to write.

Nine ideas to encourage writing

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

Discover more at cambridge.org/penpals

Are you ready for handwriting? Relax!

Do the PENPALS 7 point check!

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Is there a circle gap between your thumb and finger?

Are you ready for handwriting? Relax!

Is your paper tilted at a slight angle?

Are your elbows off the desk?

Sit up and lean slightly forward

Is your body a fist width away from the desk?

Are all chair legs touching the ground?

Are your feet flat on the floor?

Left Handers Right Handers

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