Rhythm of Handwriting Instruction

Teach students to develop fluid, legible handwriting.

student holding whiteboard with cursive alphabet

Explicit, Systematic Instruction

Easy, systematic instructions provide students with an understanding of how to write each letter and where it is placed on the lines.

student practicing strokes on whiteboard

Rhythmic Phrases

Emphasize the rhythmic motions with short, memorable phrases for how to form each letter.

student writing in sand with finger

Begin Large Motor, Transition to Fine Motor

Teach how to form each letter with large-motor movements before advancing to writing with a pencil.

student practicing cursive handwriting

Grouped by Stroke

Letters are grouped by initial strokes to simplify the learning process and encourage the development of automatic muscle memory.

girl writing lowercase D on white board

Begin with Lowercase

By introducing lowercase letters first, students master the letters that comprise a vast majority of all that we read and write. This also minimizes students mixing upper- and lowercase within words.

ROH online

Teacher Supports

Quick references, instructions on the tactile cards, wall cards, and online videos provide support to teachers.

Components of Rhythm of Handwriting

  • ROH student workbooks

    Student Book

    Rhythm of Handwriting Student Books support learning with large motor introduction to writing, ample practice, transition to writing words and phrases, and multiple line sizes so students can choose the size that is best for them.

  • ROH tactile cards

    Tactile Cards

    The gritty sandpaper texture is an ideal tactile way to introduce letters. Complete and shortened instructions are included for teacher reference.

  • ROH quick references

    Quick Reference

    With explicit instructions and the bold rhythmic instructions that set ROH apart from other handwriting programs, our quick reference is all you really need to teach handwriting.

  • whiteboards

    Whiteboard

    A durable student response board with two line sizes. The larger size supports large motor movements, the smaller size is ideal for transitioning to smaller motor writing.

  • ROH manuscript and cursive wall strips

    Wall Cards

    Use Rhythm of Handwriting Wall Cards to introduce letters and create a visual classroom reference.

  • ROH manuscript and cursive desk strips

    Desk Strips

    Designed as a student reference, these are ideal to put on a student desk or notebook.

Should I Teach Cursive or Manuscript?

Why Teach Cursive?

Why Teach Manuscript?

Shop Cursive

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Shop Manuscript

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References

Early, G. H., Nelson, D. A., Kleber, D. J., Treegoob, M., Huffman, E., & Cass, C. (1976). Cursive Handwriting, Reading, and Spelling Achievement. Intervention in School and Clinic, 12(1), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.1177/105345127601200105

Montgomery, D. (2012). Dyslexia - A Comprehensive and International Approach. https://doi.org/10.5772/30994

Morales-Rando, C., Pérez-Jorge, D., Strbová, L., & Ariño-Mateo, E. (2022). Manuscript vs cursive writing. Learning to write in primary education. Education 3-13, 50(7), 880–892. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2021.1916053