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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.
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.
Titles in This Program
Vertical Manuscript—English
Slant Manuscript—English
Cursive Mastery—English
Vertical Manuscript—Spanish
Slant Manuscript—Spanish
Desk Strips & Wall Posters
Program Features & Resources
Features
Handwriting 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) – Grade 6
Legibility—Keep the Focus
A Keep the Focus feature in each lesson reinforces the four components of legibility.
- Size
- Spacing
- Slant
- Strokes
Language Arts & Reading
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).
- Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics—capitalization, punctuation, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and proper nouns.
Teacher Materials
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 Edition
Available in both English and Spanish.
- 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.
Lesson Planning & Instructional Support
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
- Lesson-specific reproducibles provide added practice in letter formation while simultaneously integrating reading and language arts concepts.
- Reproducible letter forms offer kinesthetic reinforcement (grades K and 1).
- Available digitally in the Teacher Packages.
Assessment
Opportunities to evaluate student progress are incorporated throughout the program including
- student-self assessment at the end of each lesson with Time Out to Evaluate teaching support.
- Time to Review unit assessments.
- Time to Show Off cumulative assessment.
- digital self-assessment using the Whiteboard Software and letter formation practice using the embedded QR codes.
Desk Strips & Wall Posters
- 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, 1, and 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
- A wide variety of templates with appropriately sized lines for each grade level offer endless opportunities for customized practice. Includes Spanish characters.
- Included in the print/digital Teacher Package.
Interactive Whiteboard Software
Model and practice letters the digital way
- Teachers can model and students can practice letter formation in front of the entire class.
- Included in the print/digital Teacher Package.
- Includes all manuscript and cursive letters and numerals.
- English and Spanish formation guidelines with supporting audio.
- 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.
Look Inside
Sample Pages
Vertical Manuscript - English
- Grade K
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 1
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 2
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 2T
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 3
Student Edition | Teacher Edition
Slant Manuscript - English
- Grade K
Student Book | Teacher Edition - Grade 1
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 2
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 2T
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 3
Student Edition | Teacher Edition
Cursive Mastery - English
- Grade 4
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 5
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 6
Student Edition | Teacher Edition
Vertical Manuscript - Spanish
- Grade K
Student Book | Teacher Edition - Grade 1
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 2T
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 3
Student Edition | Teacher Edition
Slant Manuscript - Spanish
- Grade K
Student Book | Teacher Edition - Grade 1
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 2T
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 3
Student Edition | Teacher Edition
Cursive Mastery - Spanish
- Grade 4
Student Edition | Teacher Edition - Grade 5
Student Edition | Teacher Edition
Differentiation
Differentiation
Support for ELLs (English editions), occupational therapy tips, and Practice Masters ensure all students are successful.
- 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.