In the dynamic tripod grip, the thumb and forefinger act like pincers, gripping the barrel of the pencil near its tip. The third finger acts like a support, bracing the forefinger as it moves.

KIM: pencil… MAX: Pinch it! KIM: Pinch it. So point. Pencil. Pinch! Hey this feels good. MAX: Congratulations. You now know the tripod grip. KIM: OK Max. Let's give this tripod grip a go. Wow ...

To the Editor:Recent issues of Education Week included a Renaissance Learning advertisement and an American Reading Company advertisement each showing a student using a very poor pencil grip.