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Benson Handwriting with Integrated Reading and Language Arts
Grades K–6
Develop fluent, legible handwriting while practicing reading and language arts skills
For over 100 years, Benson Handwriting has helped students develop legible, fluent handwriting—a key to writing success. Each lesson combines consistent letter formation directions and teacher modeling with ELA activities—all in less than 15 minutes per day.
Interactive whiteboard software, font software, scripted teacher modeling, QR code video tutorials, and differentiated activities all help ensure student success. Available in vertical or slant letter formation editions—the choice is yours!
Benson Handwriting Escritura provides instruction with linguistically appropriate Spanish-language content and activities along with comprehensive teaching support.
Choose Vertical or Slant Manuscript
Available in vertical or slant letter formation editions—the choice is yours!
Program Authors
Marianne Gibbs, MOT, OTR, Registered Master Trainer, Contributing Author is an occupational therapist providing inspiring PD workshops supporting the appropriate development of all young children.
Dr. Aimee Piller, OTR/L, Contributing Author is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration treatment and working with children with a variety of development and motor delays.
Anita Uphaus, Ed.M., Contributing Author is a respected leader in public education and early childhood advocacy with extensive experience in curriculum development and educator training.
Handwriting Instruction
Lessons Each lesson takes approximately 15 minutes and features:
Three-step gradual release of responsibility—Present, Practice, Proceed.
Letter formation modelling through scripted instruction, hands-on practice, online videos, and interactive whiteboard software.
Guided and independent practice using a variety of ELA activities.
Extension and differentiation suggestions and activities.
Self-assessment prompts.
Letter Formation Support for proper letter formation through multiple print and digital avenues.
Simple letter formation with easy-to-follow instructions in each lesson.
QR codes at point of use provide animated letter formation models accessible on mobile devices—school-to-home support.
Desk strips and wall posters.
Manuscript instruction available for grades K–2.
Cursive instruction available for grades 2T (transition) through grade 6.
Legibility A Keep the Focus feature in each lesson reinforces the four components of legibility.
Size
Spacing
Slant
Strokes
Language Arts & Reading Instruction
Lessons
Each lesson contains activities incorporating grade-appropriate reading and language arts standards such as:
Foundational Skills—phonological awareness, phonics, and phonograms.
Reading Skills—following directions, main idea and details, cause and effect, compare and contrast, using textual evidence, figures of speech, point of view, and plot and characters.
Word Study—identifying word meaning, prefixes/suffixes, synonyms/antonyms, spelling patterns, and content-area vocabulary.
Writing—responding to texts, composing in specific genres (narrative, informational, argumentative, poetry, drama), and reproducible writing journals (grades K and 1).
Teacher Package (Print) Includes a print Teacher Edition (with digital access to Practice Masters), desk strips, and wall posters.
Teacher Package (Print & Digital) Includes a print Teacher Edition, desk strips, wall posters, and an online Teacher Edition with six-year access to Practice Masters, a Professional Development Resource, Interactive Whiteboard Software, and Font Software.
Teacher Editions are available in both English and Spanish and feature:
A consistent three-step instructional sequence—Present, Practice, and Proceed.
Detailed formation directions for the uppercase and lowercase forms of the letter for the teacher to read and model.
Letter-specific suggestions for children having difficulty, including suggestions for kinesthetic learners (grades K and 1).
Letter-specific evaluation statements.
Activities to reinforce and extend the grade-appropriate language arts and reading focus of the lesson.
Digital access to English and Spanish Practice Masters as well as the Professional Development Teacher Resource, Benson Font Software, and Benson Interactive Whiteboard Software is provided with the Teacher Edition.
Each lesson plan in the Teacher Wraparound Edition provides:
Standards correlations, language arts and reading focus, literacy connections, and vocabulary.
Opportunities to engage students in each lesson step through questioning strategies, kinesthetic activities, and whole class discussions.
A Literacy Connection feature that provides support for incorporating reading and language arts skills.
Time Out to Evaluate prompts to help students evaluate formation and legibility and select their best work.
Formation Focus with direct access to digital letter animations and practice through QR codes.
Practice Masters are available digitally in the Teacher Package and include:
Lesson-specific reproducibles that provide added practice in letter formation while simultaneously integrating reading and language arts concepts.
Reproducible letter forms for kinesthetic reinforcement (grades K and 1).
Opportunities to evaluate student progress are incorporated throughout the program, including:
Student-self assessment at the end of each lesson withTime Out to Evaluateteaching support.
Time to Reviewunit assessments.
Time to Show Offcumulative assessment.
Digital self-assessment using the Whiteboard Software and letter formation practice using the embedded QR codes.
Removeable, self-adhesive desk strips provide letter formation models and formation guidelines for every student. 35 strips per roll.
Sectional wall posters feature uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers with formation guides.
Available for slant manuscript, vertical manuscript, and cursive.
Desk strips and wall posters are included in both Teacher Packages and are also available separately.
Teacher Packages for grades K–2 include manuscript desk strips and wall posters. Teacher Packages for grades 2T (Transition), 3, 4, and 5 include cursive desk strips and wall posters.
Digital Support
Font Software Create your own practice worksheets with Font Software in the print/digital Teacher Package
A wide variety of templates with appropriately sized lines for each grade level offer endless opportunities for customized practice. Includes Spanish characters.
Interactive Whiteboard Software Model and practice letters the digital way with Interactive Whiteboard Software included in the print/digital Teacher Package.
Teachers can model and students can practice letter formation in front of the entire class.
Includes all manuscript and cursive letters and numerals.
English and Spanish formation guidelines with supporting audio are included.
The interactive three-step lessons:
Animate proper letter formation with audio support.
Guide students through letter training practice.
Provide unlimited independent practice with instant feedback.
QR Codes QR codes in each lesson allow students to access animated formation models on their mobile devices.
Differentiation
Ensure all students are successful with support for ELLs (English editions), occupational therapy tips, and Practice Masters.
ELL Support (English editions) provides visual and tactile learning strategies; introduces academic vocabulary using media, visuals, and modeling; provides suggestions for Language Partners; and much more.
OT Tips throughout the program and the Professional Development Resource help teachers develop students’ fine and gross motor skills and spatial reasoning using a number of strategies and activities.
Practice Masters and Font Software give teachers unlimited opportunities to reinforce concepts, provide remediation, and challenge advanced students.
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