Handwriting: finger-spaces and consistent spacing

Spacing warm-up: copy 'The cat sat.' with deliberate spacing.

• Model the finger-space routine
• Quick check

Finger-spaces between every word. ONE finger-space — not two, not zero. Watch — when you write 'The cat sat,' you write 'The', then PUT YOUR FINGER on the paper, then start 'cat' right after, then FINGER, then 'sat', then period.

• Watch the pause.

  model Teacher writes each word, pauses, finger-spaces, continues.

  prompt Demo: 'I like school.'
• Hard to read. Spaces matter.

  model Words run together: 'Ilikeschool.'

  prompt What if I forget finger-spaces?

• How many finger-spaces between each word? (one)
• Why? (so the reader can tell words apart)
• What happens without spaces? (run-on appearance)

M-1-F-GR-10-A Chart

Two-row chart 'Spaces Matter!' Top row: 'Ilovemyfamily.' (run-together, with red X). Bottom row: 'I love my family.' (with yellow finger-space markers between each word, green check). Caption: 'ONE finger-space between every word.'

• Copy a 3-sentence paragraph with deliberate finger-spacing.

  scaffold Finger-space stick.
• Peer-check: trade papers; circle any place where spacing is too small.

  scaffold Spacing rubric.
• Apply to current workshop draft.

  scaffold Workshop conferencing.

M-1-F-GR-10-B Photograph

Photo of a child's hand using a popsicle stick placed between two written words on three-line paper. The stick is positioned vertically between 'I' and 'love' showing the exact width of one finger-space. Used as the manipulative demonstration.

• Write 'I love my dog.' with proper spacing.
• Self-check: one finger-space between each word.

• Chant: 'One finger-space between every word.'

• Copy one sentence from your favorite book at home with proper spacing.