• Grip: Check the mokopuna is holding the writing instrument correctly with a tripod grip (thumb, index, and middle fingers).
• Posture: Ensure the mokopuna is sitting up straight with their feet flat on the floor, and their non-writing hand is holding the paper steady.

• Shape: Look for correct formation of each letter and numeral, ensuring they follow the standard shape and size.
• Start and End Points: Check that mokopuna start and end letters and numerals at the correct points.
• Direction: Check that strokes are made in the correct direction (e.g., top to bottom, left to right).

• Coordination: Assess hand-eye coordination and control over fine motor movements, and whether the mokopuna can verbalize these movements.
• Strength: Ensure the mokopuna has adequate hand strength to hold and control the writing instrument.

• Effort: Note mokopuna's effort and persistence in improving their handwriting.
• Attitude: Observe their attitude towards handwriting practice—whether they are engaged, motivated, frustrated, or disinterested.

• Grip: Check the mokopuna is holding the writing instrument correctly with a tripod grip (thumb, index, and middle fingers).
• Posture: Ensure the mokopuna is sitting up straight with their feet flat on the floor, and their non-writing hand is holding the paper steady.

• Shape: Look for the correct formation of each letter or numeral, making sure they follow the standard shape and size.
• Start and End Points: Check mokopuna start and end letters and numerals at the correct points.
• Direction: Check that strokes are made in the correct direction (e.g., top to bottom, left to right).

• Size: Letters and numerals should be consistently sized, with uniform height and width.
• Spacing: Observe the spacing between letters.

• Baseline: Letters and numerals should sit on the line with the letters p, and g extending below the line.
• Proportion: Ensure that lowercase letters are appropriately proportionate to uppercase letters.

• Consistency: Check that the pressure applied to the writing instrument is neither too light (resulting in faint writing) nor too heavy (resulting in overly dark writing or tearing the paper).
• Evenness: Ensure that the pressure remains consistent throughout.

• Clarity: Writing should be clear and easily readable.
• Accuracy: Letters and numerals should be accurately formed and easily distinguishable.

• Effort: Note mokopuna's effort and persistence in improving their handwriting.
• Attitude: Observe their attitude towards handwriting practice—whether they are engaged, motivated, frustrated, or disinterested.

• Shape: Look for correct formation of each letter and numeral, making sure they follow the standard shape and size.
• Start and End Points: Check that mokopuna start and end letters and numerals at the correct points.
• Direction: Check that strokes are made in the correct direction (e.g., top to bottom, left to right).

• Size: Letters and numerals should be consistently sized, with uniform height and width.
• Spacing: Observe the spacing between letters within words and between words themselves.

• Baseline: Letters and numerals should sit on the line with the letters p, and g extending below the line.
• Proportion: Ensure that lowercase letters are appropriately proportionate to uppercase letters.

• Consistency: Check that the pressure applied to the writing instrument is neither too light (resulting in faint writing) nor too heavy (resulting in overly dark writing or tearing the paper).
• Evenness: Ensure that the pressure remains consistent throughout writing.

• Smoothness: Writing should be smooth and fluid without unnecessary stops and starts.
• Speed: Monitor that the mokopuna writes at a pace that is neither too fast (resulting in messy handwriting) nor too slow (indicating lack of confidence).

• Clarity: Writing should be clear and easily readable.
• Accuracy: Letters, words, and numerals should be accurately formed and easily distinguishable.

• Effort: Note mokopuna's effort and persistence in improving their handwriting.
• Attitude: Observe their attitude towards handwriting practice—whether they are engaged and motivated or frustrated and disinterested.

• Consistency: Look for consistent slant, size, and spacing of letters and numerals. Ensure uniformity in letter and numeral height and width.
• Accuracy: Check that each letter and numeral is formed correctly and clearly. Verify the correct starting and ending points for each letter and numeral.
• Connections: Ensure smooth and correct connections between letters. Look for continuous strokes without lifting the pen/pencil unnecessarily.

• Clarity: Ensure that the writing is easy to read. Look for distinct and recognisable letters and numerals.

• Speed: Observe the speed of writing to ensure it is neither too slow nor too rushed. Aim for a balanced pace that maintains legibility.
• Flow: Ensure a natural and fluid movement when writing. Check for continuous, unbroken lines in words and sentences.

• Spacing: Check the spacing between letters and words to ensure it is even and appropriate. Avoid crowded or overly spaced writing.
• Alignment: Ensure writing is aligned with the lines on the paper. Check for consistent alignment of letters on the line and that 'p' is correctly positioned with the descender written below the line.

• Demonstrate how to form connections between letters and reinforce proper letter formation.
• Highlight the importance of maintaining consistent slant, size, and spacing, using guidelines for reference.
• Reinforce that cursive does not apply to numerals or uppercase letters but ensure clarity in numeral formation for mixed contexts.

• Have mokopuna practice writing common words and short phrases with a focus on smooth connections and consistent spacing.
• Visual aids to support correct formation are also a good idea.

• Circulate the room, providing individual feedback on letter formation, connections, and spacing.

• Consistent slant, size, and spacing in lowercase and uppercase cursive letters and numerals.
• Uniformity in height and width, especially in letters with similar forms (e.g., a and o).
• Accuracy in starting and ending points for each letter and numeral, ensuring clear and correct formation.

• Smooth and correct connections between letters, particularly with common combinations (e.g., ng, wh, au).
• Continuous strokes with minimal pen/pencil lifting during word formation.

• Recognisable and distinct letters and numerals in words and sentences.
• Clear and consistent letter formation that supports readability, even in simple sentences.

• Demonstrate how to write longer words and sentences with smooth, continuous strokes, emphasising minimal pen lifts.
• Revisit challenging connections, e.g., o and w.

• Have mokopuna practice writing common phrases or sentences with attention to fluency, spacing, and alignment.
• Include tasks where mokopuna combine numerals and words (e.g., dates, labels) to reinforce clarity in mixed contexts.

• Walk around the room to observe handwriting, providing specific feedback on consistency, connections, and legibility.
• Use peer-review exercises to encourage mokopuna to identify strengths and areas for improvement in each other’s work.

• Guide mokopuna in writing short paragraphs, focusing on maintaining legibility and a steady pace over longer pieces.
• Encourage self-reflection on their handwriting, discussing how fluency and presentation improve clarity.

Letter and Numeral Formation

• Demonstrating consistent slant, size, and spacing across all writing tasks, including paragraphs and extended sentences.
• Accurately forming numerals and cursive letters, with clarity in mixed contexts (e.g., combining words and numbers in dates or labels).
• Showing precision in more complex letter forms, maintaining recognisable shapes even at increased writing speed.

• Accurately describing the process of forming specific letters, numerals, and their connections, including clear explanations of starting and ending points.

• Articulating the importance of maintaining consistent slant, size, and spacing to ensure neat and uniform writing.

Connections

• Creating smooth, continuous connections between letters, ensuring seamless joins.
• Writing with minimal pen/pencil lifts, reflecting an increasing fluidity in their writing.

• Explaining how they maintain a steady pace while writing, balancing speed with accuracy and legibility.
• Demonstrating confidence in discussing strategies for creating smooth connections and minimising unnecessary pen/pencil lifts.

Legibility

• Writing legibly in extended tasks, with clear and distinct letters that are easily read by others.
• Maintaining uniform spacing between letters and words, ensuring a visually balanced and readable appearance.

• Reading their own writing aloud fluently, showing ease in recognising and interpreting their cursive script.
• Identifying and explaining how consistent spacing and alignment contribute to the readability and presentation of their work.

• Evaluating their own writing, pinpointing specific areas for improvement, such as challenging letter joins or adjustments in spacing.
• Reflecting on how their writing habits, including fluid connections and consistent alignment, enhance the clarity and overall presentation of their work.

• Demonstrate how to write extended paragraphs and formal tasks (e.g., headings, assignments) with fluent, legible cursive.
• Highlight how fluid connections and consistent alignment contribute to overall presentation and readability.

• Have mokopuna practice writing extended texts (e.g., short essays or creative pieces) in their handwriting books.
• Focus on speed and accuracy, ensuring they balance efficiency with legibility.

• Provide detailed feedback on specific elements such as challenging joins, spacing, or alignment.
• Encourage mokopuna to self-evaluate their work, identifying areas for improvement and recognising their mastery in other areas.

• Introduce real-world tasks such as writing letters, journaling, or creating neat formal documents.
• Celebrate mastery by showcasing their best work and encouraging pride in their handwriting.

• Consistently demonstrating accurate and uniform slant, size, and spacing across all writing tasks, including extended paragraphs and formal writing.
• Accurately forming numerals and cursive letters with clarity in complex and mixed contexts (e.g., combining words, numbers, and symbols in structured formats like dates, lists, or labels).
• Displaying precision and fluidity in more complex letter forms, maintaining recognisable shapes at increased writing speed and under time constraints.

• Accurately explaining the formation of letters, numerals, and connections, including how to achieve seamless joins and consistent alignment.
• Articulating the role of slant, size, spacing, and connections in producing polished, professional writing.

• Creating seamless, smooth, and continuous connections between all letters.
• Writing with no unnecessary pen/pencil lifts, achieving a natural flow and efficient handwriting style.

• Confidently discussing how they maintain a balanced pace in writing, combining speed with precision and legibility.
• Describing strategies for achieving smooth connections and eliminating unnecessary pen/pencil lifts to enhance efficiency.

• Producing consistently legible handwriting across all tasks, including extended writing, creative tasks, and formal assignments.
• Maintaining clear, distinct letters and numerals with uniform spacing between letters, words, and lines, ensuring readability and professional presentation.

• Reading aloud fluently from their own work, demonstrating ease in recognising and interpreting their cursive script.
• Explaining how consistent spacing, alignment, and letter formation contribute to the clarity and overall appearance of their work.

• Evaluating their handwriting critically, identifying areas of strength and improvement (e.g., refining letter joins or maintaining alignment in extended tasks).
• Reflecting on how their mastery of cursive writing supports their overall communication skills and the presentation of their ideas.

• Demonstrate how to write extended paragraphs and formal tasks (e.g., headings, assignments) with fluent, legible cursive.
• Highlight how fluid connections and consistent alignment contribute to overall presentation and readability.

• Have mokopuna practice writing extended texts (e.g., short essays or creative pieces) in their handwriting books.
• Focus on speed and accuracy, ensuring they balance efficiency with legibility.

• Provide detailed feedback on specific elements such as challenging joins, spacing, or alignment.
• Encourage mokopuna to self-evaluate their work, identifying areas for improvement and recognising their mastery in other areas.

• Introduce real-world tasks such as writing letters, journaling, or creating neat formal documents.
• Celebrate mastery by showcasing their best work and encouraging pride in their handwriting.

• Consistent slant, size, and spacing throughout the text.
• Accurate formation of letters, numerals, and symbols.
• Fluid and seamless letter connections.
• Speed and fluency without compromising legibility.

• Smooth, efficient writing with minimal pen lifts.
• Legibility and uniformity across all elements of the text.

• Accurate and creative integration of cursive handwriting.
• A personal yet legible style suitable for presentation.

• He aha ngā āhuatanga māmā ki a koe mō te tuhi rere?
• E hiahia ana koe ki te whakapakari ake i tēhea āhuatanga o tō tuhi ā

• Awareness of strengths and areas for improvement.
• Strategies for achieving smooth connections and balanced pace.

• Demonstrate how to write extended paragraphs and formal tasks (e.g., headings, assignments) with fluent, legible cursive.
• Highlight how fluid connections and consistent alignment contribute to overall presentation and readability.

• Have mokopuna practice writing extended texts (e.g., short essays or creative pieces) in their handwriting books.
• Focus on speed and accuracy, ensuring they balance efficiency with legibility.

• Provide detailed feedback on specific elements such as challenging joins, spacing, or alignment.
• Encourage mokopuna to self-evaluate their work, identifying areas for improvement and recognising their mastery in other areas.

• Introduce real-world tasks such as writing letters, journaling, or creating neat formal documents.
• Celebrate mastery by showcasing their best work and encouraging pride in their handwriting.

Write a structured persuasive or expository essay (200–250 words) within a given timeframe (e.g., 15 minutes).

• Consistent speed and fluency under time constraints.

• Precise letter and numeral formation.

• Clarity and professional presentation of the handwriting.

Create a handwritten document that combines text, numbers, and symbols (e.g., a timetable, labeled diagram, or report).

• Accurate and legible integration of words, numerals, and symbols.

• Clear formatting and alignment appropriate for structured writing tasks.

Write and illustrate a short story or design a handwritten poster that includes a whakataukī or key message.

• Creative use of cursive writing while maintaining legibility.

• Personal style that enhances the presentation.

Mokopuna review their own and a peer’s work, providing constructive feedback:

1. He aha i māmā, i uaua rānei ai ki a koe te pānui o te tuhi rere?

2. He aha ngā āhuatanga hei whakarerekē kia mārama ake ai, kia pai ake ai te tāera tuhi?

• Ability to articulate the role of slant, size, spacing, and connections in polished handwriting.

• Critical and reflective thinking about their handwriting style.

Mokopuna read aloud from their handwritten text.

• Ease of reading their own handwriting, demonstrating confidence in its legibility.

• Reflection on how clarity in handwriting supports communication.