The Palmer Method of Business Writing · Lesson 37 · Part 7: c, r, s and a big review
37. Drills 40 to 43: small r
Goal: Your child writes the quick style of small r with a tiny stop and dot at the top, and the word "error".
You'll need
- Wide-ruled lined paper (several sheets)
- A sharp pencil or a smooth gel pen
- The book open at today's page
- A watch, clock or phone timer that shows seconds (only for the optional speed check)
What's in the book
Lesson 37 shows two styles of small r (drill 40), gives drill 41 for the faster style, drill 42 with the word "error", and drill 43, a reminder that small o begins at the top.
The lesson, step by step
Warm up
About three minutes: compact ovals, then a line each of small o, small m and small l (drills 3, 11, 14 and 33).
Look at the model
Open the book page. Look at drill 40. The first style of r has a shoulder and must be written slowly. The second style starts like m or n; the down stroke is retraced a little way, then a tiny stop and a dot before the swing to the next letter.
Drill 41: the quick r
Four lines in groups of five. Count "one-dot, two-dot, three-dot..." or say the book's chant: "You-stop, you-stop... at-the-top... To make a dot." If the joins sag to the line, the r's look like x's.
Optional speed target: eighteen groups of five a minute.
Be patient
Unquestionably, the first few trials will be discouraging, but faithful practice will be rewarded. Stick to it.
Drill 42: error
Two lines of the word "error."
Optional speed target: twenty or more words a minute.
Drill 43: o starts at the top
One line of drill 43. There is no lead-in stroke before small o; it begins at the top.
Gentle check and finish
Can you read every r? Finish by writing "run" or "ear".
Afterwards
Small r is one of the hardest letters. Give it two or three days if needed.