New worksheet generator coming soon!

At Letter-join we're committed to adding regular updates, and for 2013 we're getting ready to add a new worksheet generator for real handwriting practice.

For the first time, Letter-join subscribers will be able to create and print their own practice worksheets from the Letter-join website using words of their choice. Spelling lists, sentence sheets and 'free-style' notices and posters will be able to be produced in different font sizes, with options to trace and/or copy and to show or hide tramlines.

At the heart of the Letter-join worksheet generator is a newly developed Letter-join font specifically designed to match the cursive handwriting style used by Letter-join.

We're also making sure that the worksheet generator integrates perfectly with your preferred letterforms. The Letter-join worksheet generator is planned for launch in May 2013, and we will notify all users when the update is ready to use.

Numbers, punctuation and mathematical symbols

We're pleased to announce that new animations and worksheets have been added for numbers, punctuation, and mathematical symbols. This now means that Letter-join includes all the written characters in English.

Register for a free trial of Letter-join at letterjoin.co.uk

New alternative cursive letterforms for 'f' and 'w'

At Letter-join, we update the web site using requests from our current schools
other Letter-join users, and we are now pleased to offer new alternatives for 'f 'and 'w'.

This means that from the alternative letterforms, it is now possible to choose one of 48 variations from the Letter-join cursive alphabet to help build a better individual style. Every variation has the correct animation to watch, and a corresponding practice worksheet, in three sizes, for real hand writing practice.

Alternartive letterforms for 'w' and 'f' have animations and accompanying practice work-out sheets

Register for a free trial of Letter-join at letterjoin.co.uk

New interactive whiteboard added

We know through feedback from teachers how popular the Letter-join whiteboard feature has been with pupils in the classroom. So, to add more fun and interactivity we’ve added a new reward system which displays ‘Good try!’, ‘Well done!’ and 'Excellent!' as whiteboard practice progresses.

The star awards are shown beneath any pattern, letter or word currently on the practice whiteboard - see the example below. If you haven't used the Letter-join whiteboard before simply click the 'Whiteboard' button on the menu strip at the bottom of any page.

Although designed with the interactive whiteboard in mind, Letter-join works equally well on PCs using a digital-pen, touchscreen computers and Portable Tablets that can run Adobe Flash Player. Below, Letter-join is shown on an Acer PC with a touch screen monitor which works very well.

Letter-join Pangrams and extra resources

Letter-join has a new print-out sheet of pangrams (sentences containing all the letters of the alphabet) in a small, handwriting size which is ideal to help advanced writers practice their cursive handwriting.

The Extra Resources button is where you'll find lots of extra print-outs for display and handouts:

• A4 sheets containing the whole alphabet in cursive script, printed characters and capital letters, which are ideal reference sheets for use in the classroom or at home. 
• The 26 letters of the alphabet with each cursive letter filling an A4 sheet so you can print them out and hang them around the classoom for a constant reminder of the lettershapes.
• A selection of lined paper in three sizes, using the same rulers as the Letter-join practice sheets which are ideal for homework and handwriting practice.
• 100 high frequency words which can be printed out in three sizes
• Pangrams, for handwriting practice using all the letters of the alphabet.

We are constantly adding to this section, so if there's anything you might need, just let us know.

Cursive handwriting discussed on BBC Breakfast show

Congratulations to Headteacher Gail Larkin from Auriol Junior School, who put the case for joined-up (cursive) handwriting on the prime time BBC Breakfast show this morning.

Gail presented the case that joined-up handwriting helps children with their fine motor skills as well as letter blends, which in turn help children with spelling and creative writing.

Entertainingly, Gail assessed the handwriting of presenters Sian Williams and Bill Turnbull!

Watch the clip by Clicking here > 

The studio discuss the benefits of cursive handwriting.

Sian Williams' handwriting sample.

Bill Turnbill's handwriting sample.

Letter-join on the road!

Friday night was the Hamstreet Primary School Summer Fayre, and we were invited to have a stand in the school hall, letting parents and children have a hands-on session with Letter-join. We presented Letter-join on one of our large touch-screen monitors, so children and visitors could have a go at joined-up handwriting with their 'Peter pointers'. Great fun!

Presenting in the school hall was very productive: parents now have a better awareness of the method of joined-up handwriting that the school teaches, and they also now know of our 'home edition' to help them and their children at home with handwriting practice.

We received some excellent feedback from visitors including:

"Really good for my eight year old who needs to tidy-up his handwriting".
Mother of Year 3 boy.

"She really loves it, I can see how it will help her when she gets into the nursery". Father of pre-nursery girl.

"It's brilliant. I didn't realise such things existed."  
Mother of Year 1 girl.

Hamstreet School have worked closely with us to develop the Letter-join programme and have been one of the first adopters of the Letter-join handwriting method.

Some teachers are using it on a weekly basis in their handwriting lessons, and the Reception class will be introducing it to the new intake in September which will have a positive effect on handwriting in the years to come.