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Basic 1 · Ghanaian Language · Penmanship

Writing Patterns and Letters

In this topic you will move your wrist well to draw patterns and write letters.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Hold a pencil correctly
  • Draw writing patterns
  • Write letters neatly

What you already know

  • Drawing lines (KG)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Writing
Sub-strand
Penmanship
Indicator
B1.3.1.1.1-3 – Control wrist in letter writing and pattern drawing

Introduction

Before we write letters well, we practise patterns. Patterns help our wrist move smoothly.

1. Holding a Pencil

  1. Hold the pencil between your thumb and first finger.
  2. Rest it on your middle finger.
  3. Hold it gently, not too tight.
  4. Sit up straight with your book flat.
A hand holding a pencil correctly between thumb and index finger
Figure 1: How to hold a pencil Draw a hand holding a pencil.Illustration: Sirbus

2. Writing Patterns

Patterns to practise
PatternLooks like
straight linesI I I I I
zigzag/\/\/\
waves~~~~
loopsllll
circlesoooo
Rows of patterns: straight lines, zigzags, waves, loops and circles with dotted lines to trace
Figure 2: Writing patterns Copy each pattern in your book.Illustration: Sirbus

Tip: Practise in a tray of sand with your finger first.

New words

pattern
Shapes that repeat.
trace
To draw over lines that are already there.
wrist
The joint between your hand and arm.
grip
The way you hold something.

Summary

  • Hold the pencil gently with your thumb and first finger.
  • Patterns help your wrist move smoothly.
  • Practise patterns before writing letters.

Class activity: Sand Writing

  1. Draw patterns in the sand tray with your finger.
  2. Trace the broken lines on paper.
  3. Write three letters neatly in your book.

You need: Locally made handwriting sample cards, Lined exercise books, Pencils, Shallow tray of clean sand

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which fingers hold the pencil?

    • A. Thumb and first finger
    • B. Little finger only
    • C. All fingers tightly
    • D. None
    Show answer
    Answer: Thumb and first fingerThe pencil rests on the middle finger.

  2. 2. Shapes that repeat are a…

    • A. Pattern
    • B. Song
    • C. Story
    • D. Page
    Show answer
    Answer: PatternPatterns repeat.

  3. 3. We should hold the pencil gently.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueA tight grip tires the hand.

  4. 4. Sitting badly helps neat writing.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseSit up straight to write neatly.

  5. 5. To draw over lines already there is to ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: traceThat is the meaning of trace.

  6. 6. Draw a zigzag pattern and a wave pattern.

    Show answer
    Answer: /\/\/\ and ~~~~These are writing patterns.

Homework

  1. Practise one row of each pattern in your book.