ABC Uncials: The first few lessons for children

You have the little book ABC Uncials, the kit and have ordered and received the Speedball pen and the two nibs. It may be worth having an extra pen holder and nibs for you to use while you teach them. If you don’t have the pens yet, start off with the balsa pen, which you can use for playtime later.

Preparation by the adult:

 

• Download the relevant pdf’s. at www.linkerrdesign.com/abcUncials/ and put in the secret password that is on page 14.
• Read all the articles on teaching children linked in www.linkerrdesign.com/abcUncials/.
• Make the walnut ink a few hours in advance and put it into a tiny jar. You may have to purchase a miniature honey sample for the ink!
• Have a session at writing with the new nib to run it in. Perhaps wash it well with fairy Liquid to reduce the ink beading on the shiny surface and to run the pen in a little.
• Rule up some 45 gsm paper using the pdf Uncials to trace Speedball C-0 in advance for lessons 2 & 3.
• Set the child up sitting on a cushion if necessary.
• Use a few extra sheets of plain paper for padding to write on.
• Place the ink on their right hand side. (For Lefties – see article on teaching lefthanders)
• Have some folded kitchen paper next to the ink.
• After they have dipped the pen, let them wipe the top of the nib in just one stroke on the kitchen paper to remove excess ink.
• Hold their hand for the initial zig-zag or two, while they write to start them off.
• Children work quite quickly. That’s fine.

KEEP IT FUN

Lesson One: 30 minutes
Download the pdf:
Introduction Strokes Speedball C-0

 

• Begin with a zig-zag at 45˚ just to show how the pen works. This is not in the book because straight after this we work at 20˚ most of the time.
• Once the child has done all the introduction strokes write the child’s name for him or her to copy.
• Help the child write their name but don’t get too worried if they are struggling. Aduults want to get things perfect – with a child they just need experience and positive comments. Sure, help them hold the pen at the right angle, but all you really want is to give them a flavour.
• Turn to the back of the book and do some swans for the child to copy.
• They must hold the pen the right way round (not upside down), and keep the whole edge of the nib be in contact with the paper.
• Then let the child “play” a while using the balsa pen.

Lesson Two: 30 minutes.
Download pdf’s:
Introduction Strokes Speedball C-0
Uncials to trace Speedball C-0
Ruled lines: Speedball C-0

 

• Work on o’s. If the clock idea doesn’t make sense because they are digital, talk about a crecent moon for the first stroke. Don’t worry about ‘getting them right’
• Do the introduction strokes.
• Rule up some 45gsm paper, using the ruled lines on the pdf. for tracing.
• Help the child trace the alphabet up to N (half-way through the alphabet).
• They need to see the letters in the book for reference while they are tracing the ones form the download, as they will be clearer.
• Help them write their name first by tracing, then do their name freehand.
• Playtime with the balsa pen.

Lesson Three: 30 minutes.
Download pdf’s:
Introduction Strokes Speedball C-0
Uncials to trace Speedball C-0
Ruled lines: Speedball C-0

 

• Rule up some 45gsm paper and help the child trace the alphabet up to N (half-way through the alphabet)
• Let them try these letters freehand on the ruled sheet.
• Go through the rest of the alphabet, if they are still concentrating, by tracing.
• This may take an extra session.
• Show them how the angle changes on the diagonals of V, W, X, Y, Z.
• Write their full names or siblings names for them to copy.
• Swans and playtime with the balsa pen

Lesson Four: 30 minutes.

Download pdf’s:
Uncials to trace Speedball C-0
Ruled lines: Speedball C-0

• Rule up some 45gsm paper and help the child trace the alphabet up to N (half-way through the alphabet)
• Writing freehand: Start them on three (four) letter animal names: (look at supercallifragilisticespialidocious for inter-letter spacing) ant bat cat dog emu fox gnu hawk ibex jay kudu lion mole newt
• Playtime using the speedball nib.

Lesson Five: 30 minutes.

Download pdf’s:
Uncials to trace Speedball C-0
Ruled lines: Speedball C-0

• Rule up some 45gsm paper and help the child trace the alphabet from M onwards
• Writing freehand: Finish the list of  three (four) letter animal names: mole newt owl pig quail rat swan tern ukari vole wolf xerus yak zebu
• Playtime using the speedball nib.

 

Lessons 6 -1 0 Each about 30 minutes. KEEP IT FUN

pdf’s that are still available are for the smaller nib size – Try the Brause #3 nib on about the 8th lesson.
Also use the copy sheets, where the child can copy the line above and try to keep their writing similar in size and spacing.

• Adapt the speed of progress to the child’s age and ability, tracing regularly.
• Try the copy sheets.
• At any stage try the decorative letters, preferably slowly over a few sessions.
• Think of interesting mini-projects, such as the more advanced animal list. Armadillo bald eagle chameleon dragonfly eel falcon grouse hawk inchworm jackdaw komodo dragon lizard millipede newt octopus peacock qwauk (black-crowned night heron) rattlesnake seahorse turkey urchin vulture worm X-ray fish yellowhammer Zorille (similar to skunk) 
• Let them illustrate their work.
• Make little books – landscape format because Uncials take up lots of space.
• Download plenty of ruled sheets.
• Teach the child to rule up and explain how the ruling tab works.
• No-one just learns calligraphy then knows it after that. They need continuous tuition and pratice, so after a break go back to  basics, particularly tracing.
• It might be worth only doing calligraphy every holiday for a few days to keep them interested, but in term time let the child initiate the sessions. I always bribed my children with learning-projects (such as sewing, baking, calligraphy, telling the time etc.) in the holidays first thing in the morning for about 30 minutes, offsetting it with treats (cinema, picnic, outing, friends to play)

And remember: KEEP IT FUN