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Fonts

How the text looks can make a big impression on the reader.  Traditionally from the publishing world, there are two types of font, serif and sans serif.  Serif fonts are considered the more formal of the two.  

Sans serif    A font without serifs (small finishing strokes).  T ( sans serif) versus T (serif).

Serif  A small finishing stroke on a letter T (serif) versus T ( sans serif).

Some fonts work best for titles and others are considered better for paragraphs.   Fonts should be consistent.  Consistency should relate to the mission of the font.  All text the same, all headings the same but each item could use a different font.  

Fonts (type or typeface) are the characters of a single design, all the letters in the alphabet, upper and lower case, numerals, and symbols.  Each font belongs to a family whose design tie them together.  There are thousands to choose from but they fall mostly into three categories—serif, sans serif, and script.  

Serif fonts are typically used for text-heavy publications such as books and newspapers.  A bold sans serif font makes an arresting headline.   Sans serif subheadings in smaller sizes create pleasing contrasts.

Script is designed to make letters look connected, to imitate handwriting.  

Some fonts were designed for education.  Fonts are available that allow students to trace them and learn to write or to write in cursive.  Below are listed several locations for various fonts.  Most of the sites offer free downloads of some of their fonts that are available for purchase.

Braille and American Sign Language http://www.tsbvi.edu/Education/fonts.html

1001 Free Fonts  http://www.1001freefonts.com

School House Fonts (free downloads of some fonts) http://www.schoolhousefonts.com

Links page to Free Fonts http://www.educationplanet.com/search/Computers_and_the_Internet/Fonts

Elementary School Fonts (for sale) http://www.foresttech.com