It’s confession time! Brace yourself, my friends…I hold my pencil incorrectly. That’s a photo of my hand below. A little wonky, yes? I remember my first-grade teacher correcting my grip endlessly, but of course, I always went back to the way I was used to. As an adult, I can form the appropriate “tripod” grip that we’re all 
supposed to use. I even have better looking handwriting as a result! But I have to think about it, and it feels unnatural.
Do you have a student who holds his or her pencil incorrectly? Do you hold your pencil incorrectly? (If you do, I certainly won’t give you the hairy eyeball.)
Check out these rules so you know when it’s necessary to correct a student’s pencil grip. (According to the article, I seem to use a version of the “thumb wrap” grasp. Who knew?!)
Last year I had a little boy who grasped his pencil in the strangest way I ever saw. No its not on the list of the article. I tried to correct it many times but then he would go right back to it. I came to the conclusion that since he was comfortable and forming his letters correctly to just leave it alone. In talking to his Mom at conferences we had a discussion about his funny grasp. Apparently the child has the same grasp his Father does. Here is a funny for you his Dad is a teacher too.
I don’t have any students with a so-called “incorrect” grasp this year, but I did last year. Honestly, I do not have a problem with it. If the student’s writing is legible, it’s a non-issue for me. I do not think that there is only one correct way to hold a writing implement. What works for one student doesn’t always work for another.
I do have a student this year who can write perfectly with either the right or the left hand. Again, I have no issue with it. I wish I could do that! 😉
I have the same grip represented in the photograph. Many Elementary teachers tried to change it, including my fifth grade teacher who made me miss recess daily to work on my grip and the angle with which I formed my letters. It puts a lot of pressure on “tall man’.” The top joint is noticeably bent to the right. I have to change pens frequently when I have to write for extended periods of time, as it leaves a pen- shaped divot in my finger. Oh, well! Worse things to worry about!