Playwrite is a typeface engine designed for creating cursive fonts specifically for primary school use. While the Irish National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) provides guidelines in the Primary Language Curriculum (2019), suggesting the introduction of cursive writing as early as junior infant level, schools in Ireland retain the autonomy to select their preferred handwriting instruction methods.
Most teachers opt to begin with print script or precursive letters during the junior and senior infant levels. As students progress to Class 1 and beyond, they are introduced to exit strokes and letter connections to develop cursive handwriting.
This particular model showcases a fluid, sloped cursive style, allowing for uppercase letters to connect to the subsequent letter whenever feasible. A distinguishing feature is the unique crossbar design of the letter 'H'. Lowercase letters are characterized by short extenders with loops, but unlike other models within this category, they do not originate with curved entry strokes.
A significant distinction is observed in the construction of the bowls in letters 'b' and 'p', which differ notably from one another. Additionally, the letter 'z' exhibits a curved top and a looped descender.
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Playwrite IE
Playwrite Ireland
https://primarium.info/countries/ireland/
The NCAA publishes the national curriculum, and issues of language are dealt with in the Primary Language Curriculum, which was last published in 2019. This document is fully bilingual in English and Irish Gaelic. An additional guideline document for teachers called Primary Language Curriculum. Support Material for teachers. Writing, is also published by the NCAA. This devotes a full section to handwriting, and suggests that children can be introduced to cursive writing as early as junior infant level.
In practice, however, each school can choose their own methods for teaching handwriting. Most teachers start with either print script (locally called “manuscript”) or precursive letters in junior and senior infant levels. From Class 1 onwards, students are taught to add exit strokes to letters, and then to connect them to achieve a cursive hand.
Playwrite Ireland Characteristics
This model showcases a sloped, continuous cursive style where uppercase letters connect to the following letter whenever possible. The letter 'H' is notable for its distinctive crossbar shape. Lowercase letters have short extenders with loops but, unlike other models in this category, do not start with curved entry strokes. The construction of the bowls in 'b' and 'p' differs significantly from each other. The letter 'z' features a curved top and a looped descender.
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