New 2014 Letter-join features launched.

Introducing new Letter-join features to support changes to the 2014 National Curriculum for handwriting. 

New worksheets for printed letters, form-filling and dictation exercises added to Extra Resources.

 Under 'Extra resources' Letter-join has the following features added;
(1) New Letter-join Dictation exercises to encourage speedy handwriting and note-taking.
(2) New form practice worksheets for printed letters.
(3) Extra labelling worksheets for printed letter practice.

The 2014 National Curriculum changes to handwriting
The new 2014 curriculum has been changed to be more specific about handwriting. The following extract is taken from the DofE’s 'The national curriculum in England Key stages 1 and 2 framework document'.

“They should be clear about what standard of handwriting is appropriate for a particular task, for example, quick notes or a final handwritten version. They should also be taught to use an unjoined style, for example, for labelling a diagram or data, writing an e-mail address, or for algebra and capital letters, for example, for filling in a form.”

Please click here to download  a PDF of The National Curriculum in England, Key Stages 1 and 2 Framework Document from the Deptartment for Education website.

To support teachers, Letter-join now has a number of new resources:

New Letter-join dictation exercises to encourage speedy writin and note-taking

Example of a new Letter-join dictation exercise to help with speedy writing for note-aking
The screen image shows a CVC word page shown with an example of the written words.

Under the 'Extra Resources' button of Letter-join we've added a new section of dictation exercises.
There are three levels of exercises that progressively increase in complexity, and all follow a format of Listen, Write, Edit, Copy. Here's a description of the process:

Listen: Play the dictation exercise at normal speed for class to listen to.
Write: Play the slower version allowing time for each phrase to be written down. You may need to press the pause button between phrases. Explain to the pupils that if they do not hear clearly, or if they don't have time to write everything down, they can leave a blank space which can be filled in at the next stage.
Edit: Play the dictation exercise again at normal speed so that the class can fill in any blanks they have left, or make changes.
Copy: Display the text on the whiteboard for pupils to check and ask them to copy out their exercise using their best joined-up handwriting.

Exercises are grouped into three sections: Easy Practice, Harder Exercises, More Challenging!

Three new sections
Shown below are a selection of screen images you'll find within the Extra Resources section:

Dictation Exercises

Easy Dictation includes a selection of CVC words, Easy numbers and an Easy poem.

Example of an easy poem dictation exercise shown with the correctly dictated hand written words.

List of phrases, featured in the Dictation section.

Labelling Worksheets
To further support the new curriculum changes, Letter-join has additional Labelling worksheets for printed letter practice. These can be found in the 'Extra Resources' section under 'Supplementary Worksheets' or can be accessed from the Printed Letters section.

Form Filling Worksheets
An example of a new Letter-join form-filling worksheet. There are three in total offering different levels of complexity.

New Worksheet Generator Now On Line

Create your own worksheets using the Letter-join font

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 can now be produced in 3 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.

The preferred letterforms chosen by users within Letter-join will also be carried through onto the worksheets.

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.