Free Cursive Handwriting Practice for Kids
What if I told you that free cursive handwriting practice worksheets could make your class better in other subject areas?
I’ve got great news… It’s true!
Research has proven that there is a positive correlation between better handwriting skills and increased academic performance in reading and writing.
A study published in the Journal of Early Childhood Education and Development looked at 1,000 students when they were in pre-K and then later in second grade. They found that pre-K students with good fine motor skills—from handwriting instruction and practice—outperform their peers on both reading and math by second grade.
Journal of early childhood education and development
The more I researched about handwriting, the more I was convinced that it would not only improve fine motor skills, but also help my class in other subject areas.
I was sold, but there was just one problem I kept running into.
The problem with cursive handwriting practice:
I always start with a review of the alphabet when focusing on handwriting, but after those first couple weeks…
Handwriting worksheets get boring.
Every handwriting printable I found was just letters over and over again. When I did find fun cursive worksheets, there were only a couple pages and then we were done.
All the worksheets I found, did not practice cursive in context. I wanted my students to write cursive sentences, not just the letter “a” repeatedly.
To be honest, when the kids aren’t excited about handwriting, it makes it more difficult to find the time to squeeze it into our already busy schedule. (You can read more about tips for squeezing handwriting into your busy schedule here.)
The solution to engaging cursive handwriting worksheets:
I finally decided to create cursive worksheets for my class that had two major features:
- Practiced cursive handwriting in sentences, not just one letter at a time.
- Would make my students giggle and actually enjoy cursive activities.
I started making cursive worksheets with gross facts, weird facts about sports and the weather. Then I added a section with positive affirmations, strange math facts, and I kept creating until I had over 180 days of cursive handwriting practice completed!
My goal was to create something that I could plan in one day. I didn’t want to find different worksheets every week. I wanted one resource that would cover everything for the entire year!
Cursive handwriting tips:
- Turn the cursive worksheets into monthly packets, so you only have to go to the copy machine once a month. Or even better, copy them for the entire quarter!
- Start with the silly alphabet pages as a way to reteach the formation of letters in a more engaging way.
- Head to THIS POST to get some tips on how to make time for handwriting each day.
- Laminate a set of your favorite worksheets and students can practice cursive handwriting with expo marker as a center.
- Leave extras out for students to grab if they finish their work early.
- Download the free cursive handwriting practice worksheets found below!
Bonus: Try the Cursive Handwriting for the Year Bundle for FREE!
If you already know your kids would love the entire year long set, 180 DAYS OF CURSIVE WORKSHEETS here or the 180 DAYS OF CURSIVE AND PRINT BUNDLE! Use the code: HANDWRITING10 for 10% off exclusively at the Sprinkle Topped Shop, or you can find the same bundles in my TpT Shop.
I’d also be happy to share with you a sample! Download FREE CURSIVE HANDWRITING PRACTICE WORKSHEETS from the Year Long Bundle so you can test them out with your students!
Ps. They are also now in D’Nealian!
Here’s what other teachers are saying:
Conclusion:
If you have been on the hunt for engaging, silly, and fun cursive handwriting practice your students will enjoy… Cursive Handwriting Practice for the Year is a great solution.
It’s perfect for teachers who don’t want to have to plan and look for new activities each week. Be sure to download the FREE Cursive Handwriting Practice above and check it out!
Do you teach cursive in your classroom? Does your class enjoy learning cursive?