TEMPLATE AND METHOD FOR FORMING LETTERS ACCORDING TO MUSCLE MOVEMENT

Abstract

A method for forming letters using a template by grouping letters based on similarities in the direction of muscle movement which takes advantage of the similar hand movements used with-in particular groups of letters. The learning of these letters is organized so that after one letter is mastered, another letter is learned based on the similarities of hand movements used in printing a learned letter and the next letter being taught. The handwriting method facilitates learning how to read and write in new languages.

Claims

1. A method for forming letters according to muscle movement comprising the steps of: a) a first letter rearrangement step comprising rearrangement of a selected group of letters from a traditional, first order (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, X, Y, Z) to a second order based on an initial direction of muscle motion writing said selected group of letters comprising: 1) a first group of letters comprising a group of flying letters selected from the group consisting of c, o, a, d g, q, s, and each one of said flying letters requiring an initial round direction of motion; 2) a second group of falling letters selected from the group consisting of l, h, b, p, r, n, m, u, I, j, t, and k requiring an initial down direction of motion; 3) a third group of sloping letters selected from the group consisting of v, w, x, and y requiring an initial downward right direction of motion; and 4) a fourth group of sliding letters selected from the group consisting of sliding letters selected from the group consisting of e and z requiring an initial direction of motion sliding horizontally right; b) a second matrix construction step comprising a matrix consisting of a plurality of circles, at least two spaced apart vertical lines, and at least two spaced apart horizontal lines; and c) a third letter forming step including a degree of increasing difficulty including using said matrix, comprising: 1) a first matrix letter forming step of forming a shape of a selected letter from said selected group of letters using said matrix as a starting point for determining a direction of muscle motion and comprising a first stage of forming a letter shape of the letter, a second stage of using an arrow indicating said direction of muscle motion to form said letter shape, a third stage of using a dot for indicating a starting point forming said letter shape; a fourth stage of using a matrix of a plurality of circles and said at least two spaced apart vertical lines forming said letter shape; and said fifth stage of using said at least two spaced apart horizontal lines forming said letter shape; 2) a second matrix letter forming step of forming a shape of a selected letter from said selected group of letters using a matrix as a starting point for determining a direction of muscle motion comprising a second stage increasing the difficulty of forming said shape of said selected letter comprising said second stage of using an arrow indicating said direction of movement to form said letter shape, said third stage of using a dot for indicating a starting point forming said letter shape said fourth stage of using a matrix of a plurality of circles and at least two spaced apart vertical lines forming said letter shape; and a fifth stage of using said at least two spaced apart horizontal lines forming said letter shape; 3) a third matrix letter forming step of forming a shape of a selected letter from said selected group of letters using a matrix as a starting point for determining a direction of muscle motion comprising a third stage increasing the difficulty of forming said shape of said selected letter comprising said third stage of using a dot for indicating a starting point forming said letter shape; said fourth stage of using a matrix of a plurality of circles and at least two spaced apart vertical lines forming said letter shape and a fifth stage of using said at least two spaced apart horizontal lines forming said letter shape; 4) a fourth matrix letter forming step of forming a shape of a selected letter from said selected group of letters using a matrix as a starting point for determining a direction of muscle motion comprising a fourth stage increasing the difficulty of forming said shape of said selected letter comprising said fourth stage of using a matrix of a plurality of circles and at least two spaced apart vertical lines forming said letter shape and a fifth stage of using said at least two spaced apart horizontal lines forming said letter shape; and 5) a fifth matrix letter forming step of forming a shape of a selected letter from said selected group of letters using a matrix as a starting point for determining a direction of muscle motion comprising a fifth stage increasing the difficulty of forming said shape of said selected letter comprising said fifth stage of using said at least two spaced apart horizontal lines forming said letter shape.

2. The method for forming letters according to muscle movement of claim 1, further including the step of using a clear plastic sheet and superimposing a formed letter directly over the original template letters comparing same.

3. The method for forming letters according to muscle movement of claim 1, wherein said second step comprises using a matrix consisting of three circles, at least two spaced apart vertical lines, and a selected number of horizontal lines forming letters.

4. A method for forming letters according to muscle movement, comprising the steps of: drawing a matrix including at least two spaced apart vertical lines having at least four spaced apart parallel horizontal lines intersecting said at least two spaced apart vertical lines forming a matrix section comprising a column of boxes; drawing a circle disposed in each one of said boxes; and forming the shape of at least a first portion of a character using at least a portion of said circle.

5. The method for forming letters according to muscle movement of claim 4, including the step of using a second portion of a character comprising second portion of an upper circle of said matrix.

6. The method for forming letters according to muscle movement of claim 4, including the step of using a third portion of a character to comprise a third portion of a lower circle of said matrix.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and wherein:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a matrix using 3 circles and 2 vertical lines;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a plurality of the matrix of FIG. 1 superimposed on a number of light blue lines and a red line in order to aid alignment of multiple letters;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows the matrix of FIG. 1 and horizontal lines with red dots superimposed to show a starting point of the construction of a letter;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a section of the matrix of FIG. 3 with horizontal and vertical lines forming three squares stacked one upon another with a circle disposed in each square, and a red dot superimposed upon a circle at a selected position in the matrix indicating the starting point of a dark line depicting the actual shape of a letter and an arrow indicating the direction for forming the letter;

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a matrix with horizontal lines, a red dot, and an arrow without the shape of the letter;

[0039] FIG. 6 shows the matrix of FIG. 4 including horizontal lines, a red dot, wherein the actual shape of a letter and arrow indicating direction of motion have been removed therefrom;

[0040] FIG. 7 shows the matrix of FIG. 5 removing the arrow indicating the direction of motion, and the shape of the letter;

[0041] FIG. 8 shows a spaced apart red and light blue horizontal lines for use with the matrix;

[0042] FIG. 9 shows a matrix and horizontal lines with a red dot superimposed to show starting point;

[0043] FIG. 10 shows a matrix with horizontal lines, a red dot, and actual shape of a letter;

[0044] FIG. 11 shows a matrix with horizontal lines, a red dot, an actual shape of a letter, and an arrow;

[0045] FIG. 12 shows a section of a matrix;

[0046] FIG. 13 shows a matrix with horizontal lines, an arrow without the shape of the letter;

[0047] FIG. 14 shows a matrix superimposed on a number of light blue lines and a red line in order to aid alignment of multiple letters;

[0048] FIG. 15 is shows the legend for the figures depicting the basic elements for the muscle movement system for teaching handwriting set forth with indicia representing the colors and geometric elements used for the matrix and for building the letters thereon;

[0049] FIG. 16 shows the steps of constructing the letter a using the lettering guide;

[0050] FIG. 17 shows the steps of constructing the letter b using the lettering guide;

[0051] FIG. 18 shows the steps of constructing the letter c using the lettering guide;

[0052] FIG. 19 shows the steps of constructing the letter d using the lettering guide;

[0053] FIG. 20 shows the steps of constructing the letter e using the lettering guide;

[0054] FIG. 21 shows the steps of constructing the letter f using the lettering guide;

[0055] FIG. 22 shows the steps of constructing the letter g using the lettering guide;

[0056] FIG. 23 shows the steps of constructing the letter h using the lettering guide;

[0057] FIG. 24 shows the steps of constructing the letter I using the lettering guide;

[0058] FIG. 25 shows the steps of constructing the letter j using the lettering guide;

[0059] FIG. 26 shows the steps of constructing the letter k using the lettering guide;

[0060] FIG. 27 shows the steps of constructing the letter l using the lettering guide;

[0061] FIG. 28 shows the steps of constructing the letter m using the lettering guide;

[0062] FIG. 29 shows the steps of constructing the letter n using the lettering guide;

[0063] FIG. 30 shows the steps of constructing the letter o using the lettering guide;

[0064] FIG. 31 shows the steps of constructing the letter p using the lettering guide;

[0065] FIG. 32 shows the steps of constructing the letter q using the lettering guide;

[0066] FIG. 33 shows the steps of constructing the letter r using the lettering guide;

[0067] FIG. 34 shows the steps of constructing the letter s using the lettering guide;

[0068] FIG. 35 shows the steps of constructing the letter t using the lettering guide;

[0069] FIG. 36 shows the steps of constructing the letter u using the lettering guide;

[0070] FIG. 37 shows the steps of constructing the letter v using the lettering guide;

[0071] FIG. 38 shows the steps of constructing the letter w using the lettering guide;

[0072] FIG. 39 shows the steps of constructing the letter x using the lettering guide;

[0073] FIG. 40 shows the steps of constructing the letter y using the lettering guide;

[0074] FIG. 41 shows the steps of constructing the letter z using the lettering guide;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0075] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of teaching the printing of Roman alphabet. The method is based on grouping the letters into four groups based on the initial direction of motion of the pen when making the letters. This group can be arranged among themselves based on increasing complexity of movement. All the letters of the Roman alphabet can be arranged into four clear groups based on nothing more than the initial direction of motion for the following patterns: 1) around, 2) down, 3) diagonal to right, and 4) horizontal to right.

[0076] The first group designated: the flying Letters, is so named because the initial movement resembles that of an object flying through the air. This group can also be arranged among themselves based on increasing complexity of movement. The order of these eight letters, then, is /c-o-a-d-g-q-s-f/, since /c/ is the simplest, with /o/ being only a slight continuation of the movement of the /c/, and then the letter /a/ following from the motion of the /o/, and so on, each successive letter building on and modifying the pattern of the one before it in the new arrangement of letters.

[0077] In this way, the student can learn to write these eight letters much more quickly than otherwise because the challenges required of the muscles and the brain in the complicated task of eye/hand coordination are significantly reduced. Also, because it is so clear how the process of writing each successive letter follows naturally from the previous one, the student faces far less confusion and complexity than if the letters were learned in the normal/a-b-c/order, which has a chaotic mixture of initial movements.

[0078] This becomes even clearer when the next series of letters are examined. The second group is designated as the falling letters since their initial movement resembles that of an object falling straight down. Like the first group, these twelve letters can also be arranged somewhat based on increasing complexity, as well as height, since there are two clear subcategories of tall and short letters, as follows: /l-h-b-t-k/ in the tall category, and /p-r-n-m-u-I-j/ in the short category.

[0079] The third group has only four letters, and may be called the sloping letters since their initial movement is that of a line sloping at an angle downward and to the right. They are already conveniently arranged in a reasonably logical order from the point of view of learning to write them, moving from simple to complex: /v-w-x-y/.

[0080] The fourth and final group can be called the sliding letters because the initial movement is that of an object sliding horizontally to the right. They are /e-z/.

[0081] The names of the groups, flying, falling, sloping, and sliding also help the student as an easy mnemonic device to organize and simply in the mind the otherwise far more chaotic and random-seeming arrangement of the letters in their usual order from /a/ to /z/. Students will be taught the mechanics of writing the letters through this modified arrangement of

[0082] /c-o-a-d-g-q-s-f-l-h-b-t-k-p-r-n-m-u-I-j-v-w-x-y-e-z/

[0083] without necessarily emphasizing or even bringing that arrangement to their attention. It is simply the order in which the letters will be studied, one by one, for the purpose of mastering the challenges of writing. This order of the letters has no further purpose than that. Once the students have become comfortable and familiar with the letters, their names and sounds and their use in a small selection of sample words, their increased level of comfort and familiarity will actually make it easier for them to go on to memorize the traditional order of letters, as below,

[0084] /a-b-c-d-e-f-g-h-I-j-k-l-m-n-o-p-q-r-s-t-u-v-w-x-y-z/

[0085] which they will need in order to look up words in a dictionary, find things in alphabetized lists, and be able to do various types of office work that require alphabetizing materials.

[0086] In addition to the re-arrangement of the order of the letters in this system of teaching handwriting, the second fundamental observation is that the Roman alphabet has evolved to fit very neatly and consistently into a simple pattern of circles, straight lines, and dots. This high degree of conformity to these three shapes makes it possible to put all the letters onto a very simple matrix consisting of three circles set between two vertical lines, superimposed over the four traditional guidelines used for handwriting practice, as seen in the Figures.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 there are five elements involved in this series of steps: 1) the shape of the actual letter itself, 2) an arrow to show the direction of initial movement, 3) a red dot to show the starting point, 4) the matrix of circles and vertical lines, and 5) the traditional blue and red horizontal lines. The legend for the matrix is set forth in FIG. 15. Step One has all five elements, Step Two includes steps 2-5, Step Three includes steps 3-5, Step 4 includes steps 4-5 and Step 5 only includes the blue and red horizontal lines. As an option, Step Six includes only the single red line. These elements can be removed in a variety of ways depending on preference, using all six steps for the more difficult letters, and fewer steps for the simpler ones.

[0088] FIG. 1 shows a legend depicting the elements of the drawings comprising the matrixes. The light gray circle 1 is used in combination with light grey vertical lines 2 to construct the matrix 10. FIG. 1 shows a matrix 10 using three circles 1 and two vertical lines 2.

[0089] FIG. 14 shows a plurality of a larger matrix 100 comprising a row of three circles 1 including a lower row 18, middle row 20, and top row 22 set between vertical lines 2 with three columns of circles 1 including a left column 24, middle column 26, and right column 28. A horizontal red base line 3 is disposed at a selected position between the lower row 18 and middle row 20. Light blue lines horizontal lines 4 are disposed at the bottom or the lower row 18 and between the middle row 22 and top row 22, and above the top row 22. The horizontal red line lines 3 and the blue lines 4 aid in alignment of the letters within the matrix. Superimposing the matrix on a number of light blue lines 4 and a red line 3 aids in alignment of multiple letters.

[0090] FIG. 9 shows the matrix of FIG. 1 and a horizontal red lines 3 and with red dots 5 superimposed on a gray circle 1 above the red line 3 to show a starting point of the construction of a letter.

[0091] FIG. 10 shows the matrix of FIG. 9 with a horizontal red line 3, and a black line 7 superimposed upon a gray circle 1 above the red line 3 the matrix depicting the actual shape of a letter.

[0092] FIG. 11 shows the matrix of FIG. 10 including horizontal blue 4 lines, a horizontal red line 3, a red dot 5, and a black line 7 indicating the actual shape of a letter and arrow 6 indicating direction of motion.

[0093] FIG. 12 shows the matrix of FIG. 11 showing an arrow 6 indicating the direction of motion of a red dot 5 superimposed upon a gray circle 1 above the red line 3, for forming the shape of the letter.

[0094] All of the following letters can be placed precisely over this matrix, without leaving the guidance of the circles or the lines at all.

[0095] All the other letters can still be placed over the matrix with only a few modifications, while still maintaining the primary benefit of helping the student achieve consistency in size and spacing. These minor modifications to the basic matrix of three circles and two lines are shown below.

[0096] Using this matrix as a letter guide, it becomes easier to visualize the letters by giving the brain a consistent/background pattern on which to place the letters. The matrix provides a precise and symmetrical visual template onto which the mind can more easily fix the shapes of the letters. The degree, and therefore the sense, of conformity and predictability of this matrix-based system help the brain to organize and retain the otherwise far more random-seeming and unpredictable shapes of these 26 vital symbols of communication.

[0097] Another very important and unique aspect of this system of teaching handwriting is the series of five to six steps in the practice procedures, as shown below. Step One offers the student the maximum support in writing the letter, including the background matrix, the starting point, and the direction of movement.

[0098] Step Two increases the difficulty only a small degree, by removing the actual shape of the letter and the arrow, but leaving the standard matrix and a dot for the starting point.

[0099] Step Three increases the difficulty again by only a small increment, by removing the dot that indicates the starting point, while leaving the matrix.

[0100] Step Four continues this process of small, incremental increases in the demands on the student's mind by removing the matrix and leaving only the three horizontal lines.

[0101] The standard method of teaching handwriting goes directly from Step One to Step Four, without any intermediary assistance to the student, making the process more difficult and intimidating than it needs to be. This expanding and more detailed series of carefully graduated steps is a great help to students in learning to write. The mere fact that each increase in difficulty is so small actually encourages them to proceed from one level to the next with more confidence than if they had to make the leap from the high degree of guidance of Step One to the nearly complete lack of guidance of Step Four.

[0102] Furthermore, Step Five arrives at the ultimate challenge by presenting the student with a simple, single horizontal red line 3, shown in FIG. 6, upon which he or she will be required to remember all of the following: the starting point, the initial direction, the size and shape of the letter after beginning in the correct location and going in the right direction, and where to stop. All of these are discrete tasks that the brain has to register and put to use in very rapid succession in order for the student to write even the most basic message, such as his or her own name.

[0103] The last feature is the simple use of a clear plastic sheet, such as those used in overhead projectors, that will be included with each book, so that a student can remove the plastic sheet from the book and then place it over any page they may be working on, and use a dry-erase marker or a water-soluble marker, to practice the letters moving through the five steps, just as though they were writing in the book itself. The clear plastic sheet where a student has written their final version of the letter in Step Five, more or less completely on their own, free hand, can then be moved and placed directly over the original shape of the letter in Step One so that the student can see immediately and precisely where the shape they drew deviates from the correct shape, and they can see exactly where they need to improve. This cannot be done when the student write onto the page itself using erasable or washable markers. They can only make a rough comparison between the shape they have drawn in the practice area and the original shape of the letter, several inches away on the page.

[0104] In sum, the rearrangement of the order of the letters from the traditional, historical order to one based as closely as possible on the movements of the muscles used in writing them. The use of the simple matrix consisting of three circles and two lines as shown in the drawings. Five to six steps of increasing difficulty are used in the present invention as compared with merely two steps in other conventional writing systems. The use of a movable clear plastic sheet allows the students to superimpose their own letters directly over the original form to make a more precise comparison than would otherwise be possible.

[0105] The following examples describe preferred embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments within the scope of the claims herein will be apparent to one skilled in the art from consideration of the specification or practice of the invention as disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification, together with the examples, be considered exemplary only, with the scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claims which follow the examples. In the examples all percentage are given on a weight basis unless otherwise indicated.

Example 1

[0106] FIG. 15 shows the legend depicting the basic elements for the system for teaching handwriting set forth with indicia representing the colors and geometric elements used for the matrix and for building the letters thereon.

[0107] As shown in FIGS. 1-14, the system used five simple steps with each step being just a little more difficult and demanding just a little higher level of skill than the step before. The first step show in FIG. 4 includes five elements: the letter 11, a red dot 5 to show where to start, an arrow 13 for the direction, a matrix 15 as a guide for the size and shape including at least two vertical lines 2 and at least three horizontal lines 4. The second step shown in FIG. 5 eliminates only the actual shape of the letter; however the student still has the aid of the red dot, arrow, the matrix, and the three lines. In the third step shown in FIG. 6, the arrow is removed leaving the red dot which may seem like a very small change, but it is important because it forces the student to create an image of the letter in his or her own mind. In the fourth step, the red dot is removed. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the fourth step shows a matrix having two upper spaced apart light blue lines over a red horizontal line over a bottom light blue line which causes the student to not only have to memorize the shape of the letter and where to start, but also the order and direction of the movements. Finally in step five, there is nothing more than a single horizontal line 3 to show where to put the letter as shown in FIG. 8. The student must compose the letter without any additional assistance.

Example 2

[0108] The matrix or grid is shown comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: three light grey circles between two vertical lines superimposed over the traditional four horizontal lines as shown in FIG. 1 (three in light blue and one in red). Then the red dot, the black arrow, the black outline of the letter itself are placed on the matrix as shown for the letters of the alphabet (a-z) in FIGS. 16-41. In step 1, the matrix includes all of the elements including the letter itself in black, the red dot, the arrow in black, the three circles and two vertical lines in light grey, the three horizontal lines in light blue and the horizontal lines in red. In step 2, only the letter is removed from the matrix. In step 3, the arrow is removed from the matrix. In step 4, the red dot is removed from the matrix. Step 5 removes the gray circles and vertical lines. Finally in Step 6, the light blues lines are removed from the matrix leaving only one line.

[0109] The six steps shown above represent the maximum level of breakdown in the use of the six elements. In actual use, especially with simpler letters, it may not be necessary to use all six gradual steps. For instance, the removal of these elements can be done two at a time, instead of one at a time, depending on the letter being taught, its's complexity, the level of ability of the students.

[0110] The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made upon departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be limited by the specific exemplification presented herein above. Rather, what is intended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.