Calligraphy grasps the mind and makes writing come alive.
Lloyd J. Reynolds

Italic handwriting becomes italic calligraphy when written with an edged pen. Writing italic with the edged pen is a logical next step from regular handwriting. The letterforms are the same, it's just a different writing tool.

Becomes

Use calligraphy when you want to express yourself and create something special — a message that lasts. If you are a teacher or a homeschool parent, you can bring calligraphy into your classroom as an extension of your curriculum.

An introduction to calligraphy is included in the Getty-Dubay Italic Handwriting Series Book G, and in Write Now: the Getty-Dubay program for Handwriting Success.

If you want a full instruction book devoted to calligraphy, we recommend Getty-Dubay Italic Calligraphy: for School and Home as an excellent foundation, and Italic Letters for a comprehensive study — it's the most complete italic calligraphy book available.

Here are some edged pens you can use, and these are the nib sizes you would use with these books:

For italic calligraphy examples, click here.

Calligraphy in the classroom

Calligraphy allows children to connect to others through time
and to approach their written work with the goal
of producing something beautiful.

Deborah Davis, 3rd grade teacher

Although the study of calligraphy is not necessary for proficiency in handwriting, it is a rich addition to the curriculum.

Via the Reed College Critical Practice Institute, dozens of Portland Public School elementary school teachers have piloted italic calligraphy instruction in their classrooms using Getty-Dubay Italic Calligraphy for School & Home. They have found that calligraphy can help students become more engaged in their own handwriting and instill a sense of mindfulness about writing. Students take pride in creating art with letters.

It was stunning to see the pride and joy as students improved writing papers by hand using calligraphy to complete projects. Often students would surprise themselves with clear artistic writing. As they learned, many of the them desired to know more about the history of letters, ancient writing, written language of other cultures or be allowed to create a personalized style. Calligraphy generated great enthusiasm for students to publish their writing and poetry.

Nancy Halliburton, 2nd Grade master teacher

For more information on the Critical Practice Institute: listen to OPB, State of Wonder, Nov 26, 2014, “Calligraphy Project Rewrites The Script” by Alexi Horowitz