Almanac staff writer

tjohnson@thealmanac.net

When done correctly, handwriting is silent, the only sound being the soft scratch of pen on paper.

Not so in the primary grades in the Upper St. Clair School District.

In this world of computers, tweeting and texting, handwriting could become a lost art. If Eisenhower Elementary School Principal Mark Miller and kindergarten teachers Melissa Casella and Jayme Solomon have their way, students will have legible penmanship and will hold their writing utensils correctly.

"At the elementary level, they are not developed and ready to type to that extent (on a computer or telephones), so handwriting, printing and cursive is still the utmost importance," Casella said.

Other than talking, handwriting is the primary way elementary students communicate. Writing also develops the fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination.

In 2005, the Scholastic Aptitude Test instituted a written essay portion. Without proper skills, test scores could be, and are, lower.

At Eisenhower, students in the kindergarten classes wave straight sticks and march around the room to form upper case letters. Learning becomes a game.

Solomon said the program, Handwriting Without Tears, is very motivating, with Casella adding the physicality of the activity helps to connect the student to the learning.

Correctly holding the pencil is another activity.

"They do know some writing (before they enter kindergarten) but they are already ingrained in the habit, and some are not good writing habits," Casella said.

Solomon and Casella admitted they cannot recall the person who taught them the correct way to hold a pencil and to form letters. But they use those skills everyday.

"One thing a parent may think is they know how to hold a pencil," Miller said. "But it's important to hold it correctly when asked to write more and to be more intensive. With the proper grip and things like that, they are able to do that, and may not get tired or have their hands sore."

The skills program continues throughout the school year but is practiced about 10 to 15 minutes a day, Solomon said.

"They love it and it's a part of our day," Casella said.