Skills and abilities are further reinforced with advanced exercises. However, pupils are also set specific tasks, across all areas of the curriculum which may be completed with the aid of correctly-chosen software. The D'Nealian Handwriting program is used at IST throughout the Elementary school. Students start in Grade 1 with the manuscript form. As the child masters letters, words and then sentences are formed.
Emphasis is placed on correct hand position, neatness and correct formation of the letter patterns.
The transition to cursive writing begins near the end of Grade 2 and continues in Grade 3. This is the most widely used standard of cursive and emphasizes slanted writing using an adult like alphabet. The handwriting program continues in Grades 4 and 5 and students are encouraged to strive for neatness, legibility and correct form in all the written work. The objectives of the course are to give students an adequate base in this subject to facilitate admission into Italian High Schools.