TITLE:  Color Code Writing

AUTHOR:  Priscilla Mestas, LaCasita Elem., NM

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:  K-3; language arts, writing, math

OVERVIEW:  Having taught kindergarten and Chapter I classes,
I came up with an easier and quicker way for student to form
letters and numbers.  This technique can be called color
code writing.  It is intended for all students having
difficulty forming letters (manuscript or cursive) or
numbers.  This technique is taught using four basic colors
(green, blue, yellow, red) to show the desired letter or
number product.  All four colors are used for each letter
and number beginning with the color green and ending with
the color red.  The students see the given letter/number and
within the given product, the process.

PURPOSE:  This lesson not only utilizes a different approach
to writing formation, but also a quick, colorful and easy
formula for mastery.  The purpose is to  lower the
frustration point for those students having a difficult time
in forming letters or numbers.

OBJECTIVES:  The learner will be able to correctly form a
given letter or number using the color code method.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:  unlined paper, four markers (green,
blue, yellow, red), 4 pre-cut colors to represent their
ordinal position, teacher made samples of letters and
numbers

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1.   Students will become familiar with the four basic
     colors as given in correct order, which are: green,
     blue, yellow, red.  I have found that students
     associate the color green for go, which is why I chose
     it to be the starting point.  Red is associated with
     stop and that is why I selected it to be the ending
     point.  Becoming familiar with he color order is where
     we began.  Once this is accomplished we proceed to the
     next step.
2.   Students will practice with their magic pencils in the
     air the desired letter or number as the instructor
     outlines on the given model naming the color as he/she
     proceeds with the formation and repeating name of
     letter/number at the end.
3.   Students will practice with his magic pencil and
     outline the given product on his paper.  Repeat as
     necessary.  Instructor monitors and models as
     necessary.
4.   On the same unlined paper that contains a given color
     coded number/letter, the student proceeds to form the
     letter or number as the student verbally calls out the
     color beginning with green and ending with red.

     The size of the letter is not important at this time as
     much as the proper formation of the product.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  Writing has been easier to introduce
and master because of this technique.  The students relate
better to color than to the prepositional directions that
are usually given.  The formation of each letter or number
can be seen following the colors in sequence.