• Italic handwriting instruction within a “Charlotte Mason” framework
• Suggestions for writing-readiness activities
• Overview of steps in teaching handwriting to children
• Use at all grade levels
  • Good choice for elementary ages because printing and cursive are nearly identical
  • Printing or basic italics is more formal and must be taught first; cursive is for everyday use
  • Older students with poor handwriting may benefit from learning ‘calligraphy’
• Lessons and practice in Basic Italics (printing) and then in Cursive Italics
• Articles on copy work
  
• Models (quotes) in handwritten basic italics and cursive italics to copy
• Typeset quotes to transcribe into basic or cursive italics
• Variations on copy work–ideas to make it more challenging and instructive
• Instruction videos demonstrate each lesson (see below)
• 100-page PDF workbook to print as needed for your immediate family for only $10 (no shipping) Total cost is $10 per family. What a bargain!
• A word about ordering: Please note that my ebooks/PDFs are sent manually by me everyday. It may take a couple hours for me to respond, but I will respond. If you have not received an item you ordered, contact me (not PayPal) at penny9note@gmail.com. (Scroll down for videos.)

Answer to the most frequently asked question and its variations, “Do I need to start at the beginning of the workbook for my older child”:

Definitely start at the beginning of the book. When I took a calligraphy class in my 30’s, the first half hour of the first class was spent on ONE letter. It was lower case n. Mastering basic italics must be done before moving forward into joined/cursive italics. Basic italics is more formal and is used for invitations, framed quotes, announcements, and so on. Cursive italics is informal. It is used for writing letters, essays, stories, grocery lists, notes, and the like.

Go through the basic/printing part of the book, slowly and thoroughly. In each lesson, have him point out or circle his best letter. You do the same and expand on why you particularly like it. (Ex: This ‘g’ starts in the right place, the right side of the letter. It goes along the midline just the right distance; it sits on the baseline and goes down into the basement. There is a nice triangle of space here where the letter comes back to its starting point. The slight slant is pleasing.)

Then before moving into the cursive/joined part of the book, take several weeks for copywork, perhaps using a book he is reading, and being as perfect as possible while copying a sentence or two. That includes spelling, punctuation, and capital letters.

It can easily take TWO YEARS to complete the italic handwriting workbook, in the elementary grades. Spend as much time as needed to master basic italics, including copying or dictation from typeset material.

If your child is ready for dictation, let him read the sentence or short paragraph first several times, noticing spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Then dictate the passage to him in short phrases, giving him the time needed to write neatly. If he misses a punctuation mark, a capital letter, or starts to spell a word incorrectly, show him the passage again, so he can find the mistake. Take the book away as he corrects it, and then continue dictating to him.

Italic handwriting helps develop patience and perseverance. The end result is beautiful penmanship.