The Educator (Volume 45) - IAMPETH

16
Directions for Blackboard Practice
B. C. E. Doner, State Teachers Colleges Bridgewater, Framingham, Salem, Massachusetts, Handwriting Department
To write well upon the blackboard
is not only an individual accomplishment
for a teacher, but it is a duty
a teacher owes to her pupils. It is
therefore, important that a teacher
be a good blackboard writer. Good
writing is the result of clear thinking,
purposeful pi-actice, and a strong determination
to improve.
This shows a good position at the board.
—
Stand well back from the board
nearly at arms length—and do all
erasing with the left hand. Never
use a whole pietfe of chalk. If the
chalk is sharpened a little bit it will
give a clear, smooth line. Do the
erasing both horizontally and vertically
by using a rather slow firm
motion. To erase with a quick
thoughtless motion stirs up needless
chalk dust. Avoid this. When writing
use both shoulder and elbow motion,
drawing all downward strokes
at an angle of about twenty degrees
to the right of the vertical for the
correct slant. The hand should not
touch the board. Aim at all times
for a strong, firm white line that will
carry well to the back of the room
for easy reading by the pupils. Hard,
dustless chalk is best for general
practice. A firm uniform slant gives
Lnd your pupils to the blackboard fnqnmtU in thlaterial
can profitably be practiced first at the board
definite amount of space and see that he stands erect
character to the writing. Avoid a
broad, thick line. Hold the chalk
firmly, use a little pressure, and push
the chalk along fluently with a regu-
lated control of pauses and accelerations.
Study the copy and fit the
motion to the complexity or simplic-
ity of the letter or word, but remember
the fluent swing is the thing.
First write with sureness and accu-
racy, then develop speed. In lifting
the chalk from word to word, re-
volve it quickly in the fingers so as
to write on the point or sharp edge
for firm clear lines. When not actu-
ally writing, release the grasp of
holding the chalk to relax the fingers
of the hand and arm. Keep the elbow
well back from the board.
To write horizontally straight, look
a little to the left, then to the right,
then pass the hand from left to right,
so that when you do write the lines
will be straight. Also, start with
the \veight of the body on the left
foot, gracefully shifting the weight
to the right foot as you write. Keep
directly in front of your writing.
However, in illustrating before the
class adjust your position so that the
n i.in>hip .lass. New and difficult
id then un paper. Give each pupil
id swings the arm and body freely.
pupils will see the act of writing. To
write straight, step to the right at
intervals. Write about in front of
the eyes in general practice, varying
this a few inches above and below the
level.
Lift-handtd students should be encouraged to
write on the board because blackboard writing
is easier than pen and ink work. They
should stand at arms length and look directly
at the work.