Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on National Handwriting Day. Click on the links above or see the activities below this article:
READ
National Handwriting Day is on January 23rd. Its aim is to highlight the importance of the skill of handwriting. It is an important day in today’s world where people use a computer keyboard more than a pen or pencil. Some people are worried that in the future, handwriting might become a lost art. The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) started National Handwriting Day in 1977. They chose January 23rd because this is the birthday of John Hancock, who was the first person to sign the American Declaration of Independence – one of the most important documents in America’s history. WIMA says: "National Handwriting Day is a chance for all of us to re-explore the purity and power of handwriting."
Handwriting is like an art. We can use it to express ourselves and be creative. It is almost like a craft. Traditional teachers like to teach their students ‘penmanship’, rather than simply ‘writing’. A higher art form is calligraphy. People can study how to write a single letter of the alphabet for many years. Everyone’s handwriting is unique. We only need to see the front of a letter to recognize the handwriting of someone we know. Some handwriting can be almost impossible to read. Doctors are famous for writing prescriptions that look like gobbledygook or ancient hieroglyphics. Experts can even analyze our handwriting and explain what kind of personality we have. What does your handwriting say about you?
Sources: http://www.wikipedia.org/ and assorted sites.
Mail this lesson to friends and teachers. Click the @ below.
PHRASE MATCH
Match the following phrases from the article.
Paragraph 1
1.
highlight the importance of the
a.
lost art
2
in today’s world where people use a
b.
America’s history
3.
handwriting might become a
c.
skill of handwriting
4.
the first person
d.
of handwriting
5.
one of the most important documents in
e.
computer keyboard
6.
re-explore the purity and power
f.
to sign
Paragraph 2
1.
We can use it to express
a.
their students ‘penmanship’
2
Traditional teachers like to teach
b.
unique
3.
A higher art form is
c.
impossible to read
4.
Everyone’s handwriting is
d.
ourselves
5.
Some handwriting can be almost
e.
hieroglyphics
6.
look like gobbledygook or ancient
f.
calligraphy
LISTENING GAP FILL
National Handwriting Day is on January 23rd. Its _______________ the importance of the skill of handwriting. It is an important day _______________ people use a computer keyboard more than a pen or pencil. Some people are worried _______________, handwriting might become a lost art. The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) started National Handwriting Day in 1977. They chose January 23rd _______________ the birthday of John Hancock, who was the _______________ sign the American Declaration of Independence – one of the most important documents in America’s history. WIMA says: "National Handwriting Day is a chance for all of us to re-explore the ____________________ handwriting."
Handwriting is like an art. We can _______________ ourselves and be creative. It is almost like a craft. Traditional teachers like to teach their students ‘penmanship’, _______________ ‘writing’. A higher art form is calligraphy. People can study how to write a single letter of the alphabet for many years. Everyone’s __________________. We only need to see the _______________ to recognize the handwriting of someone we know. Some handwriting can be almost impossible to read. Doctors are famous for writing prescriptions _______________ gobbledygook or ancient hieroglyphics. Experts can even analyze our handwriting and explain what kind of personality we have. What does your handwriting _______________?
WHILE READING / LISTENING GAP FILL
Put the words into the gaps in the text.
National Handwriting Day is on January 23rd. Its __________ is to highlight the importance of the __________ of handwriting. It is an important day in today’s __________ where people use a computer keyboard more than a pen or pencil. Some people are worried that in the future, handwriting might become a __________ art. The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) started National Handwriting Day in 1977. They __________ January 23rd because this is the birthday of John Hancock, who was the first person to __________ the American Declaration of Independence – one of the most important documents in America’s __________. WIMA says: "National Handwriting Day is a chance for all of us to re-explore the purity and __________ of handwriting."
world power aim sign chose skill history lost
Handwriting is like an __________. We can use it to express ourselves and be creative. It is __________ like a craft. Traditional teachers like to teach their students ‘penmanship’, rather than __________ ‘writing’. A higher art form is calligraphy. People can study how to write a single __________ of the alphabet for many years. Everyone’s handwriting is unique. We only need to see the front of a letter to __________ the handwriting of someone we know. Some handwriting can be almost impossible to __________. Doctors are famous for writing prescriptions that look like gobbledygook or __________ hieroglyphics. Experts can even analyze our handwriting and __________ what kind of personality we have. What does your handwriting say about you?
simply read almost explain recognize art ancient letter
CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD
Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics.
National Handwriting Day is on January 23rd. Its aims / aim is to highlight the importance of the skill / skilled of handwriting. It is an important day in today’s world where people used / use a computer keyboard more of / than a pen or pencil. Some people are worried that in the future, handwriting might become a found / lost art. The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) started National Handwriting Day in 1977. They chose / chosen January 23rd because this is the birthday of John Hancock, who was the first person to sign the American Declaration of Independence – one / once of the most important documents in America’s history. WIMA says: "National Handwriting Day is a chance for all of us to re-explore the purity and power / powerful of handwriting."
Handwriting is like an art. We can use it to express / expression ourselves and be creative. It is almost like a crafty / craft. Traditional teachers like to teach their students ‘penmanship’, rather than simply ‘writing’. A higher art form / forms is calligraphy. People can study how to write a sign / single letter of the alphabet for many years. Everyone’s handwriting is uniquely / unique. We only need to see the front of a letter to recognize the handwriting of someone we know. Some handwriting can be almost impossibly / impossible to read. Doctors are famous for writing prescriptions that look like gobbledygook or ancient hieroglyphics. Experts can even analysis / analyze our handwriting and explain what kind of personality we have. What does your handwriting say / said about you?
MULTIPLE CHOICE
National Handwriting Day is on January 23rd. Its (1) ____ is to highlight the importance of the skill of handwriting. It is an important day in today’s world where people use a computer keyboard more than a pen or pencil. Some people are (2) ____ that in the future, handwriting might become a (3) ____ art. The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) started National Handwriting Day in 1977. They (4) ____ January 23rd because this is the birthday of John Hancock, who was the first person to sign the American Declaration of Independence – one of the most important documents (5) ____ America’s history. WIMA says: "National Handwriting Day is a chance for all of us to re-explore the (6) ____ and power of handwriting."
Handwriting is like an (7) ____. We can use it to express ourselves and be creative. It is almost like a craft. Traditional teachers like to teach their students ‘penmanship’, (8) ____ than simply ‘writing’. A higher art form is calligraphy. People can study how to write a (9) ____ letter of the alphabet for many years. Everyone’s handwriting is unique. We only need to see the front of a letter to recognize the handwriting of someone we know. Some handwriting can be (10) ____ impossible to read. Doctors are famous for writing prescriptions that look like gobbledygook or (11) ____ hieroglyphics. Experts can even analyze our handwriting and explain what kind of personality we have. What does your handwriting (12) ____ about you?
Put the correct words from this table into the article.
1.
(a)
aim
(b)
aiming
(c)
aimed
(d)
aims
2.
(a)
feared
(b)
concern
(c)
worried
(d)
anxiety
3.
(a)
losing
(b)
loser
(c)
lose
(d)
lost
4.
(a)
select
(b)
chose
(c)
opted
(d)
made
5.
(a)
on
(b)
in
(c)
to
(d)
at
6.
(a)
peril
(b)
puerile
(c)
pure
(d)
purity
7.
(a)
artsy
(b)
arty
(c)
art
(d)
artisan
8.
(a)
rather
(b)
instead
(c)
prefer
(d)
option
9.
(a)
singular
(b)
simple
(c)
sample
(d)
single
10.
(a)
around
(b)
about
(c)
almost
(d)
abound
11.
(a)
olden
(b)
history
(c)
ancient
(d)
high
12.
(a)
speak
(b)
say
(c)
voice
(d)
talk
Put the correct words from this table into the article.
SPELLING
Spell the jumbled words (from the text) correctly.
Paragraph 1
1.
the lsikl of handwriting
2.
a pen or lpecin
3.
handwriting igthm become a lost art
4.
They ohcse January
5.
important documents in America’s rhotsyi
6.
eoprw of handwriting
Paragraph 2
7.
use it to sxrespe ourselves
8.
It is almost like a ftrac
9.
how to write a geilns letter
10.
Everyone’s handwriting is euqniu
11.
zrgencioe the handwriting
12.
gobbledygook or atnncei hieroglyphics
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( )
pen or pencil. Some people are worried that in the future, handwriting might become a lost
( )
form is calligraphy. People can study how to write a single letter of the alphabet for many years. Everyone’s
( )
Handwriting is like an art. We can use it to express ourselves and be creative. It is almost like a
( )
of handwriting. It is an important day in today’s world where people use a computer keyboard more than a
( )
know. Some handwriting can be almost impossible to read. Doctors are famous for writing prescriptions that look
( )
what kind of personality we have. What does your handwriting say about you?
( )
craft. Traditional teachers like to teach their students ‘penmanship’, rather than simply ‘writing’. A higher art
( )
a chance for all of us to re-explore the purity and power of handwriting."
( )
art. The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) started National Handwriting Day in 1977. They chose
( )
like gobbledygook or ancient hieroglyphics. Experts can even analyze our handwriting and explain
( )
handwriting is unique. We only need to see the front of a letter to recognize the handwriting of someone we
( )
of Independence – one of the most important documents in America’s history. WIMA says: "National Handwriting Day is
( 1 )
National Handwriting Day is on January 23rd. Its aim is to highlight the importance of the skill
( )
January 23rd because this is the birthday of John Hancock, who was the first person to sign the American Declaration
SCRAMBLED SENTENCES
With a partner, put the words back into the correct order.
1.
skill the of importance the highlight handwriting of
2.
computer pen keyboard people more use than a a
3.
handwriting art lost a become might
4.
most documents America’s the important in history
5.
and power re -explore of the handwriting purity
6.
to ourselves can it express We use
7.
to like teachers ‘penmanship’ students their teach
8.
write the a alphabet single how letter to of
9.
almost to handwriting be impossible read can
10.
handwriting your does What you about say ?
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
Write five questions about National Handwriting Day in the table. Do this in pairs/groups. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
Without your partner, interview other students. Write down their answers.
STUDENT 1
_____________
STUDENT 2
_____________
STUDENT 3
_____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.
Return to your original partner(s) and share and talk about what you found out. Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.
WRITING
Write about National Handwriting Day for 10 minutes. Show your partner your paper. Correct each other’s work.
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find more information about National Handwriting Day. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about National Handwriting Day. Write about what happens around the world. Include two imaginary interviews with people who did something on this day.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
4. POSTER: Make your own poster about National Handwriting Day. Write about what will happen on this day around the world.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
ANSWERS
Check your answers in "THE READING / TAPESCRIPT" section at the top of this page.
