Handwriting Success Module

Goal 1.3.4: To continue to assess (within each school) the regular education initiatives that are available and maintain and continue to increase these interventions.

Background: During the 2010-2011 school year, efforts were underway to significantly reduce spending in the area of related services such as occupational and physical therapy. A team of teachers, administrators and the RTSD service provider Pediatric Therapeutic Services (PTS) collaborated to create a continuum of interventions that could provide an appropriate level of support for our students during these challenging economic times. The ultimate goal of this early intervening model is to efficiently support, in general education, students with fine motorneeds. The result of this support would ideally be a reduction in the need for direct services such as occupational therapy to address handwriting needs.

Steps to execute / Action Plan / Evidence of completion / Notes
Tier I: Confirm that high-quality, direct instruction in the district’s approved handwriting program is available to all students. Work with teachers to identify specific reinforcement and homework activities that could support the core program and provide supplemental practice. Increase the availably of pencil grips to encourage appropriate tripod grasps, a building block of handwriting development.
Tier II: Provide professional development to all teachers K-5 to enable each teacher to identify and mitigate fine motor/handwriting issues that emerge in the classroom. Teacher in K/1, where the majority of the concerns arise, received an additional PD that targeted fine motor concerns specific to the primary grades. Fine motor “centers” containing a variety of fine motor materials and activities were created for use in the classroom.
Tier III: (as needed) Occupational therapists are pushing into K/1 classroom for 3-5, 15-minute session each fall and spring. The goal is to offer suggestions to teachers for early mitigation and to identify students who may be in need of additional instruction. Push in will begin in grade 1 in the fall followed by K.
Tier IV: “Pencil Power” handwriting club has been designed to offer an interactive and engaging cluster of activities that will support students who are demonstrating continued handwriting concerns. Grade 1 and 2 students will receive supplemental instruction in the areas of fine motor development for 30 minutes per session, for 6 weeks.
Tier V: If, after the resources from Tiers I – V are exhausted, a student continues to demonstrate fine motor needs, the data collected from the above interventions is collected and used to execute a referral to the Student Resource Team (SRT).