Welcome to twenty-six days of cursive copywork and mindfulness, for advanced penmanship practise!

This collection contains 26 high-quality but lesser-known selections of writing that are suitable for students aged 13 to adult.

We have deliberately chosen to steer clear of selections from great works, as we find it jarring to suddenly encounter a section one used for a copywork exercise in the middle of a novel, years after the fact. We prefer to leave the masterpieces of the English language for later (or separate) discovery.

Each selection has been chosen for its potential to nourish the mind and stimulate the hand. Do not be afraid of passages that seem too difficult! Copywork is an easy way to introduce complex language and thoughts with no pressure to fully grasp either.

Each selection is accompanied by a Mindful Moment exercise, to further engage the student in thoughtful contemplation or observation. One letter of the alphabet is given special attention. Please check the preview to get an idea of what to expect!

Instructions

To complete the mindful cursive copywork exercises in this book:

• Read the short passage of roughly 100 words
• Take a moment to focus the mind as suggested by the Mindful Moment tip
• Copy the selection in cursive onto a printed lined sheet (several types provided) or in a separate notebook

If necessary, the student may also write out one full row of the letter you are focusing on, using the space provided or a separate notebook (optional).

Teachers or parents may, of course, adjust lessons as they see fit to suit their own student(s), goals and circumstances. It is not necessary to complete the exercises in alphabetical order, and you can pick and choose any daily passage according to your own criteria (topic, difficulty, relevance of the Mindful Moment, etc.)

You may refer to the sheet of letters included as a guide, or use a different cursive style of your choice.

The Copywork-Mindfulness Connection

Copywork is a tried-and-true method for improving handwriting. It also offers an opportunity to develop mindfulness, or the ability to immerse oneself fully in the present moment.

Many young people (and adults!) struggle to learn to calm down, and daily penmanship practise offers a perfect opportunity to do just that, by engaging the senses and grounding the buzzing of the mind in physical activity.

Diligent copywork can also allow students to take time to reach the next level in their reading, writing and comprehension skills, by periodically tackling shorter pieces of more challenging text in a calm, thoughtful manner.