Literacy Workshop

Today the Owls had their first literacy workshop! The focus of our workshop was handwriting. The program we use is called Handwriting Without Tears. This programs uses a hands-on approach using manipulatives and songs to learn the letters of the alphabet.

The Owls first sang a song about where they should begin writing the letters on the paper. As a helpful hint, friends are told to look for the smiley face which is always located at the top left hand corner of their page! The Owls were very excited because they have seen this smiley face on their sign-in sheets. 

After the song, Danielle and Samantha explained to friends that there are four different shapes that one would use when drawing a letter: a BIG Curve, a little Curve, a BIG line and a little line. Each Owl received a wooden manipulative of a BIG curve, a little curve, a BIG line and a little line. Then they listened to another song that helped them easily identify the different line and curves. Friends enjoyed the song because it was the Hockey Pokey.

To finish up our workshop, friends played Letter Bingo. When a letter was called out, friends were asked to identify the different parts of the letter. "Its a L! Its a BIG line and a little line!" Meanwhile, other friends explored the alphabet using puzzles at the table. Ask your Owl if they remember where they should always start writing their letters.