New American Cursive
New American Cursive is the third cursive style you are likely to meet in the United States, after Zaner-Bloser and D'Nealian. It is a simplified script taught from first grade and is especially common in homeschools. This page explains what sets it apart and how to use free printables alongside it.
New American Cursive is a product of Memoria Press. PrintableCursive is an independent site with no affiliation to Memoria Press. The letters shown on this site are in the traditional Zaner-Bloser style.
What makes New American Cursive different
Simplified letters
Most loops and flourishes are removed. The alphabet uses fewer strokes than the traditional programs, so letters are quicker to learn and to write.
A gentle slant
The slant is slighter than Zaner-Bloser, which the publisher presents as easier for beginners and for left-handed children.
Cursive first
New American Cursive is designed to start in first grade, before or instead of print, rather than as a third-grade switch.
Multi-sensory lessons
Each letter is taught with a "say, feel, write" sequence, and the workbooks progress from letters to words, sentences and short copywork passages.
Same strokes, fewer loops
The alphabet above is the traditional Zaner-Bloser style. In New American Cursive, the b, f, h, k and l lose their loops (the upstroke is retraced instead), and several capitals are drawn closer to their print shapes. Everything else, the joins, the slant direction, the three-line paper, the order of teaching by stroke family, carries over.
Free printables that pair with a New American Cursive workbook
Handwriting paper, 3/4 inch
1 page · US Letter, prints on A4 · free
Three-line paper for first and second grade practice. Also available in 1 inch, 1/2 inch and 3/8 inch.
Cursive words
4 pages · US Letter, prints on A4 · free
Words by length and sight words for copywork once the letters are known.
Quotes in cursive
4 pages · US Letter, prints on A4 · free
Short quotes to copy, in the spirit of the NAC copywork passages.
Other US cursive styles
- Zaner-Bloser cursive, the traditional style used in most schools and on this site.
- D'Nealian cursive, the main alternative in public schools.
New American Cursive questions
What is New American Cursive?
New American Cursive (NAC) is a handwriting program published by Memoria Press and developed by Iris Hatfield. It teaches a simplified cursive with fewer loops and a gentle slant, starting in first grade. It is widely used in classical and Christian homeschool curricula.
How is New American Cursive different from Zaner-Bloser?
The lowercase letters are recognizably the same script, but NAC strips out loops on tall letters and simplifies several capitals so they are closer to print. Zaner-Bloser is the traditional looped style used in most public schools and the one most adults learned. NAC also starts cursive earlier, in first grade.
Can I use the worksheets on this site with New American Cursive?
Yes, with one caveat. The strokes, the joins, the three-line paper and the practice words are the same. The letter models on our sheets are in the traditional Zaner-Bloser style, so a child following NAC will see a few extra loops on b, f, h, k and l and some different capitals. Use our sheets for practice paper, words and sentences, and the NAC workbook for the letter models.
Where do I buy New American Cursive?
From Memoria Press (memoriapress.com) or homeschool retailers. PrintableCursive is not affiliated with Memoria Press.