D'Nealian Handwriting

Name: D'Nealian Handwriting
Brand: Savvas Learning Companyhttps://www.savvas.com/

by Savvas Learning Companyhttps://www.savvas.com/

ElaGrades Pre-K–6

About This Curriculum

<cite index="2-4,2-5">D'Nealian® Handwriting is the original continuous stroke, manuscript-cursive handwriting program that provides an integrated print and digital experience with complete audio, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic approach.</cite>

What makes it unique: <cite index="3-29,14-16">87% of lowercase letters are the same as their cursive version, allowing children to easily move into cursive writing when ready, with fewer pencil lifts reducing common reversals like b and d.</cite>

D'Nealian Handwriting: Traditional Slanted Print-to-Cursive Program

D'Nealian Handwriting is a specialized handwriting curriculum that teaches a distinctive slanted manuscript style designed to ease the transition to cursive writing. The program spans Pre-K through grade 6, beginning with slant print and introducing cursive in second grade.

Best for

Homeschool families and classrooms seeking a systematic handwriting curriculum that uses the D'Nealian slanted manuscript approach to facilitate cursive transition, particularly effective for visual and kinesthetic learners

Evaluation Criteria

1 strength · 5 neutral · 3 insufficient evidence

Direct InstructionStrength

The program employs explicit, systematic instruction for handwriting skills.

Reviews mention 'step-by-step instructions,' 'lesson presentation outlines,' and 'stroke modeling animations that demonstrate proper letter formations'

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum includes copywork and writing exercises that connect to language arts skills beyond handwriting.

Reviews mention 'copywork and writing exercises that help with related language arts skills and provide real-world application'

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The program includes teacher editions with instructional guidance, though these are optional and expensive.

Reviews note 'teacher's editions have reproductions of student pages, lesson presentation outlines, and supplemental activity pages' but also mention they are 'expensive' and that 'you should be able to work with only the student workbooks in most cases'

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes practice activities but limited evidence of systematic retrieval practice.

Reviews mention 'practice questions' in the digital platform, but no specific evidence of spaced review or systematic retrieval practice

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

Limited vocabulary development occurs through copywork activities.

The program includes 'copywork and writing exercises' that may expose students to vocabulary, but this is not the primary focus

Writing InstructionNeutral

The curriculum provides systematic handwriting instruction but limited broader writing skills development.

Reviews describe 'step-by-step instructions' for learning handwriting style and mention writing exercises, but focus remains on letter formation rather than composition

Text ComplexityInsufficient Evidence

This criterion is not applicable to a handwriting-focused curriculum.

D'Nealian is primarily a handwriting program rather than a reading curriculum

Systematic PhonicsInsufficient Evidence

This criterion is not applicable as D'Nealian focuses on handwriting rather than phonics instruction.

The curriculum is described as a handwriting program, not a phonics or reading program

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsInsufficient Evidence

This criterion is not applicable to a handwriting curriculum.

D'Nealian is specifically focused on handwriting instruction rather than reading texts

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, smarterlearningguide.com