The muscles of the hand are divided into power muscles and precision muscles. The precision muscles (needed for writing) work better when the wrist is extended. Notice students who write with their wrist bent. They are probably experiencing muscle fatigue. Writing on a slanted surface is a good solution. Architects and artists often use an inclined surface. There are slanted clipboards that provide this function, but let's think along the lines of reinvention and reuse. Any 3-4 inch three ring binder makes a great slanted surface for a student's desk. Try it out!
The muscles of the hand are divided into power muscles and precision muscles. The precision muscles (needed for writing) work better when the wrist is extended. Notice students who write with their wrist bent. They are probably experiencing muscle fatigue. Writing on a slanted surface is a good solution. Architects and artists often use an inclined surface. There are slanted clipboards that provide this function, but let's think along the lines of reinvention and reuse. Any 3-4 inch three ring binder makes a great slanted surface for a student's desk. Try it out!
6 comments:
I literally just thought of the same idea yesterday!! I have a 2 yr old with autism, and a slant board has been recommended by our OT. $40 for a glorified clip board seems pricey to me. The only concern with the binder is the clip is missing from the top. Do you think an old one from a clip board and some super glue might do the trick???
Thanks for your comment. Yes, the specialized clipboards can be expensive. We use binder clips that you can find at an office supply store like Staples. They come in a variety of sizes (small for attaching a single piece of paper) to large (for attaching a work book or coloring book). We clip them to either side depending if the child is right or left handed. Good luck!
I teach special education. When I have a student in need a slant board I use a three ring binder with clips(to hold papers. I have also attached a clipboard to the binder using very large rubber bands. Both ways work for my students.
Thanks for your ideas! I like using regular three ring binders because they look more like a typical item in a classroom. I have used the large clips, but not the whole clipboard attached with large rubber bands. I'll be trying that out!
I am doing my action reaserch project for student teaching on a student who has trouble completing his writing assignments, not due to lack of knowledge. I noticed today that he went up against a shelf and propped his feet up on it to make a slant while he was writing so I thought a slant board might help. Where would I find more information on the use of a slant board and why they work and what they do?
This was so helpful! I have a 5-year old with CP & her ot provided her with a slant board in the classroom, but I didn't have one at home for homework. I just read this, went & found a binder & a binder clip & we're in business!! Thank you so much!!
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