Our preschool day always starts off with name recognition, name writing and handwriting practice. All before play. I’ve noticed that if I have something structured for them to do when they are being dropped off, it’s easier for them to not notice mom or dad leaving.
We set out their wipe off name and handwriting practice sheets along with their “Crayon Name” on the tables at the beginning of each class. The “Crayon Name” is just a little clip art crayon with their name on it for them to find and take over and stick to the wall. We have them laminated with Velcro on the back of them, and a laminated poster on the wall with the other piece of Velcro dot so they can “take roll” for us.
After they have stuck their name to the wall, they head over to the dry erase markers and erasers and choose what color of marker they want to use that day. Then they go and write their names, erase them, then turn the paper over and do their handwriting practice paper for the month. We switch out the handwriting papers each month so they don’t get bored. I love the handwriting practice papers that 3 Dinosaurs make. Check out 3 Dinosaurs Web Site Here.
We use clear paper sleeves and they wipe off beautifully. We don’t laminate their handwriting papers so that we can change them each month.
I made these name handwriting papers myself using a house clip art and THIS font and THIS font that actually makes the writing guidelines itself. One writes solid letters and one writes dotted letters for practicing. We use the House to help them remember where their letters “live” on the line. Capital letters can go to the roof along with tall letters like l, k, d, b etc. and only certain letters can live in the basement like lower case y,p,q etc.
I’ve made this free printable blank template for you to use if you don’t want to make your own. You can download it HERE, then you can just write on them with a permanent marker for your students to trace.
Download the template HERE.
I hope you enjoy these as much as my students and I do!
Annette
Hi there! I love all of this. I couldn’t figure out how to print my custom preview thingy. LOL. I would really love to use your template but have my son’s name in like you did on yours. How do I go about doing this?
Hi Jeneva, You can download the template and write your son’s name on it yourself here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzzyOkNnk2f8XzZ6UGNTQkxNakU/edit. Just click on the symbol at the top of the page that looks like an arrow pointing down at a line (when you hover over it with your mouse it says download). Or you can download the fonts linked in the post and make your own. I just used clipart for the house and put it all together in photoshop. If you would like me to do it for you, I charge $5 and can make a custom listing for you on Etsy to purchase and I’ll email it to you.
Thanks for the template! I have a son who needs to practice.