William Murdoch Primary School
Pencil Control and Letter
Formation
The following booklet has a range of different activities for pupils
that require extra support with pencil control, letter formation and
basic handwriting. This booklet starts with the very basic pencil
control movements and builds up therefore pupils will not need to
complete the whole booklet and may not necessarily need to start
from the very beginning but can complete the activities that they
require. It is best for children to complete this booklet using a
pencil.
We understand that not all parents will be able to print off pages
for pupils to complete so we have also included a list of activities
that you can do without printing worksheets that will support pupils’
pencil control and handwriting.
Other Activities to do at home
Tracing – Pupils can trace simple line drawings to help them gain better
pencil control. You can usually trace onto plain white paper if the ink below is
fairly dark. However, if this is proving to be difficult, white greaseproof
paper works as tracing paper very well. Children can also use a coloured pencil
just to go over lines already drawn without the need to trace.
Dot to Dot – this fun activity requires children to control the lines they
create from one dot to another. This also helps them with their counting
skills at the same time.
Guess the letter – ask children to use their fingers to draw the shape of
a letter onto your back and the aim is to guess the letter. Take it in turns as
guessing the letter requires children to understand letter formation too.
Writing in sand – Place sand in a small tray or box and ask children to
write out letters or words. To start again simply shake the box or tray to
wipe away the letters or words created.
Colouring – This may not always seem like an educational activity but
colouring is a brilliant activity for gaining better pencil control Children must
try and stay in the lines as best as possible.
Any activity that focuses on strengthening muscles in the hand will also
improve handwriting and pencil control. Examples of some of the activities
are, throwing and catching, threading beads through a sting and picking up
small objects either using their fingers or tweezers.
Some children have a good understanding of letter formation but require
support to make their handwriting more legible and neater. For those pupils,
as much practise as possible is best. At the end of this booklet there are
blank handwriting sheets that they can use to practise. Alternatively, they
can use normal lined paper but to ensure their letters are the correct size
highlight half of the line so they can see where lower case letters should sit.
Trace the dotted lines from top to bottom.
Trace the lines to help the animals get home.
Trace the dotted lines from left to right.
Trace the dotted lines.
Trace the dotted lines.
Trace the dotted lines.
Trace the dotted lines.
Trace the dotted lines.
Trace the lines to help the animals get home.
Trace the lines to help the animals get home.
Let’s try and write the letters making sure they are the
correct size.
Now it’s time to practise your joined up handwriting. Remember
to look carefully at the size if each letter
Now it’s time to practise your joined up handwriting. Remember
to look carefully at the size if each letter
Now it’s time to practise your joined up handwriting. Remember
to look carefully at the size if each letter
Now it’s time to practise your joined up handwriting. Remember
to look carefully at the size if each letter
