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Hello all! Working with elementary aged students, handwriting can often be a struggle. It's such a crucial skill for students to learn but can often lead to frustration for students who struggle in this area. With limited time in the school day, it can often be tough to get the chance for students to work on this skill. I'm going to show you some fun, simple, and quick tips that your students will love!

1. Glitter Gel Baggies
Students love this activity and it is a very simple DIY project that you can create right in your kitchen! Once you've made the baggie, students can practice tracing letters, sight words, etc. on them! I like to even write letters and words and place them below the baggie so students know what to trace.

Get your supplies!
First you will need to get your supplies! You will need Elmer's School Glue. I like to use the glitter glue (if you couldn't tell from my blog name I reaaaaalllyy like glitter). You will also need contact solution. I like to use the Target brand because it is inexpensive and I like any excuse to go to Target. ;) Just make sure the contact solution that you use has borate or boric acid in the ingredients. Finally, you need Baking Soda.



Step 1: Squeeze the entire bottle of Elmer's Glue into a mixing bowl.




Step 2: Add 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda to the bowl.


Step 3: Add 1/4 tablespoon of the contact solution to the bowl.




Step 4: Stir up all of the ingredients until it is evenly mixed.


Step 5: Add the mixture to a baggie and tape up the top of it. Give the baggie to students so they can practice tracing letters, words, and more!


2. Mr. Sketch Scented Markers
What is it about these fun markers that instantly improves students' writing motivation? I mean I get it...when I bring Paper Mate Flair Pens to my staff meetings or PD, it instantly makes my note taking 5000% more enjoyable.

I recommend using these Mr. Sketch Scented Markers to give students a little extra motivation to practice handwriting. One of my students favorite ways to practice handwriting is with rainbow writing. If you're not familiar with rainbow writing, students get to use all different colors for some fun and repeated practice!



First students will choose a color and trace the letter. They will select another color and trace again. Repeat until it looks like a rainbow!





Rainbow writing is a really simple and low prep activity that your students are sure to enjoy with these fun and amazing smelling markers!

3. Tactile Letter Craft
Tactile letters are a fun craft to make and it gets students thinking about the formation of letters. When they are finished making the letters, they can trace over them with their fingers. It's a fun multisensory activity for students! Using a multisensory approach will help students to make connections and improves memory.

Your students will love creating these letters!

To make these tactile letters you will need: paper for the letters, pipe cleaners, Elmer's School Glue, and an X-ACTO Knife (for teacher use only).


First I printed the letters out for each student. You can make them on the computer or write them out by hand.



Student will add the Elmer's School Glue to each part of the letter. I like using the clear glue for this project!


Students will glue the pipe cleaner to the letters. They can trim it as needed. Let the glue dry while pushing down on the pipe cleaners.


Next, students will cut out the letters.


When students are finished I like to use an X-ACTO Knife to cut out the centers of the letters. Please note, the X-ACTO Knife should be used by only the teacher. 


4. Trace Letters with an EXPO Marker
One simple activity to give students some repeated practice is by using EXPO Dry Erase Markers on handwriting pages. Just be sure to put the pages in plastic sleeves. Students can practice over and over again. Best of all if they make a mistake, they can easily erase it and try again!






My Favorite Handwriting Pencils
Once your students have gotten some practice using the activities above, the Paper Mate Handwriting pencils are a great tool for some paper and pencil practice! My students love these brightly colored pencils and their easy, comfortable grip! These pencils are launching in February 2018 so be on the look out for them!!






Have you used any of these tips in your classroom? What are some of your favorite handwriting activities? Let me know in the comments!


Happy Teaching,



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Thank you Go Teach! for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own


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