Weekly Report

Handwriting, Current Events and Leadership

Topics for this week include the benefits of handwriting, using current events in the classroom, and innovative leadership.

Photo by Aaron Burden / Unsplash

The Friday Five

Become a Supporter

What seemed like a far-off distant mirage has become a reality. Spring Break is finally here. I need it, and my students need it, too! I hope you are on break or will be soon. If I had my way, you would get an entire month. You deserve it!

This week’s newsletter has one of my favorite features - Why Edify Wisdom. I am excited to share Evan Dupuis' reflections. He talks about authenticity and continuous learning. He also has an awesome YouTube channel for cardio drumming that you should check out.

Reflection Questions:

How are you currently balancing handwriting and technology in your classroom? What changes could you make to serve your students' learning needs better?
Which current events topics resonate most with your students? How can you leverage their natural interests to create more engaging learning experiences?
Looking at the leadership qualities discussed, which area do you feel needs the most development in your practice? What specific steps can you take this week to grow in that area?

1 - By Hand

According to KQED's MindShift (2025), handwriting plays an important role in children's learning and cognitive development, even in today's digital age. When students write by hand, they develop stronger connections to letter recognition and memory while building essential language skills. Both print and cursive writing styles offer unique benefits, but the key to success is consistent practice until letter formation becomes automatic. The physical act of writing helps students process information more deeply than typing, as it creates stronger neural connections through the combination of motor skills and visual learning. While technology advances, the embodied experience of putting pen to paper remains a powerful tool for learning and memory retention.

Balancing Technology and Handwriting

Schools today use both computers and handwriting, so it's important to know when to use each. When students learn something new, writing it down by hand helps them remember it better. For example, taking notes with pencil and paper during class helps students learn the material more effectively than typing on a computer. However, computers are great tools for researching and writing final drafts of papers. We can help students by setting specific times for handwriting practice, like morning journal writing, and other times for using computers, like when working on group projects. There are also special tablet apps where students can practice their handwriting while getting help from the computer. By using both handwriting and technology at the right times, we can help our students get better at both skills and learn more effectively in school.

Elementary School Handwriting Tips

Proper Posture and Grip: Teach students to sit flat feet on the floor and maintain good posture. Demonstrate the correct pencil grip to prevent hand fatigue.
Letter Formation Routines: Establish consistent letter formation patterns and use verbal cues while demonstrating each letter's creation on a whiteboard or chart paper.
Multi-sensory Practice: Incorporate activities like writing letters in sand, using playdough, or tracing letters with fingers to reinforce proper formation.
Lined Paper Guidelines: Use appropriately lined paper with a clear baseline, midline, and top line to help students understand letter size and placement.
Daily Practice Sessions: Schedule short, focused handwriting sessions daily rather than longer, infrequent practice periods.

Middle School Handwriting Tips

Note-taking Strategies: Teach efficient note-taking techniques that combine good handwriting with organized content structure.
Speed and Legibility Balance: Help students develop strategies to maintain legibility while increasing writing speed through timed exercises.
Personal Style Development: Guide students in developing their handwriting style while maintaining readability and consistency.
Cross-curricular Integration: Incorporate handwriting practice into various subjects to maintain skills while working on content-specific tasks.
Self-assessment Tools: Provide rubrics and checklists for students to evaluate their handwriting and set improvement goals.

2 - Current Events and March Madness

First, if you are looking for March Madness teaching ideas, I have put together this resource for you. I hope you find something you can use with your class.

Bringing current events into the classroom helps students become better thinkers who understand today's world. Teachers can use hands-on projects, videos, websites, and class discussions to help students learn about current events. Making the classroom a place where students feel comfortable sharing different viewpoints, asking questions, and backing up their opinions with facts is important. By regularly talking about current events, students can see how their schoolwork connects to real life, learn to spot reliable news sources, and prepare for their role as citizens.

Incorporating current events in class has many benefits. Students pay more attention because the topics matter to their lives right now. They learn to think carefully about information by comparing different sources and viewpoints. They also learn more about other cultures and what's happening worldwide. Most importantly, studying current events helps students become informed citizens who can make good decisions and tackle tomorrow's challenges.

Grade-Level Tips for Incorporating Current Events

Elementary School: Create a "News of the Week" bulletin board where students bring in age-appropriate news stories that interest them. Have students draw pictures about the news and write simple summaries in their own words. This helps develop basic media literacy while keeping topics accessible and engaging.

Middle School: Implement a "Global Connection" project where students follow a specific international topic (like climate change, sports, or technology) throughout the semester. Have them create digital presentations comparing how news sources cover the same topic, helping them understand media bias and multiple perspectives.

High School: Establish a weekly "Current Events Cafe" discussion where students lead conversations about pressing issues. Students should prepare by reading from diverse news sources, fact-checking claims, and connecting events to their history, economics, or science coursework. This develops critical thinking and civil discourse skills while deepening understanding of the subject matter.

3 - Develop Your Leadership in Life and at School

Leaders who practice self-empathy create stronger, more effective organizations by fostering trust, authenticity, and psychological safety in the workplace. When leaders acknowledge their own humanity, set healthy boundaries and prioritize well-being, they establish a culture that values personal growth and resilience. This approach enables better decision-making, promotes open communication, and empowers team members to bring their whole selves to work, ultimately driving individual development and organizational success.

Here are five ways to incorporate these ideas into your teaching practice:

Model Vulnerability: Acknowledge limitations and mistakes openly in the classroom to create a safe space for students to take learning risks.
Set Healthy Boundaries: Establish clear work-life boundaries and demonstrate the importance of maintaining them for long-term effectiveness.
Practice Self-Care: Take needed breaks and attend to your emotional well-being to maintain energy and enthusiasm for teaching.
Welcome Feedback: Respond positively to student and peer feedback, showing how to grow from constructive criticism.
Create a Supportive Environment: Foster a classroom culture where authenticity, psychological safety, and personal development are prioritized for both teachers and students.