Cursive Sequence

The sequence we use is based upon four “basic strokes” that in turn are used to create lowercase letter sequences and words. Sharp Top Loop Top Round Top Roll Top The basic strokes each consist of a simple combination of movements to create the shapes. The shapes are named with the word “top” for the reason shown below: TãòÑïë ¤ïÇúÑïáƒÇòÅÄÖûáêë †§ÅÄÖûë. Letter tops provide the most important clues for reading. The first basic stroke is called a sharp top: In the sentence above you can “see” sharp tops in the following letters: ºƒ ‰Äºê and †§. When the child masters fluent production of the basic stroke we introduce the letters made with sharp tops: ºê ºô †ß ºŸ The first letter challenge is shown as: ºê then ºê ºê ºêë to emphasize control points. Crossing strokes are added after the “finish” stroke. The next challenge is:ºêáêáêë pause for control and join the letters. We repeat this sequence for letter i then s then u -one each day. We now already have potential for complex pattern production for real words, albeit simple ones: †ßáôáêë ºôáêÆßë ºŸÆßë †ßáôáêë ºŸÆßÑïë †ßáŸáôáêë We next introduce “odd top” letters that begin with the same undercurve stroke as the sharp top letters. †§ and ºì are “odd tops”The third basic stroke is called round top: It is used for three letters: Ú¨ Úû Úù ãñÑïÇúÇúë ãñÑïÇúáêë ãñÑïÑïÇúë ºêáôÇúÑïë ãñÑïÑïÇúÆßë ºêáôáêÇúÑïë ãúÑïÆßÆßë †ßÑïÇúÇúë ãúáôáêáêÇúÑïë †ßÑïÇúÇñë There are many more words possible already. The fourth basic stroke is called roll top (two roll moves): We develop roll top letters by adding a sharp top stroke learned first -a combination of tops: ‰Ä ‰î ‰£ We next introduce more combination top letters. ºƒ ãò ãõ Always in the same, soon predictable sequence -individual character, sets of characters, apply with previously learned letters for more words. We now have enough for a plethora of words. You may have noticed that we avoided o, b, w and v, as well as j, g, y, and z. The plan is to introduce all letters that “end” on the baseline first. We then intro o, b, w, v and finally j, g, y, z. Combo tops are: The second basic stroke is called loop top: When the child masters fluent production of the basic stroke we introduce the letters made with loop tops: ¤ï ãú ãñ Each letter is introduced in the same sequence as shown above, triplets with fininsh stroke. Many new words can now become challenges: