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"His style of hand writing is an issue" - any teacher advice please on how can I help my DS age 9 :(

8 replies

hulahoopsilove · 26/06/2014 12:40

We were told at parents evening that it wasnt really a problem just that his mind works quicker than his hand but they would work with him and give him some help. His content/ideas, grammar are excellent in fact I was blown away by one story he wrote this week the imagination he put into it was fantastic and I dont think Im being bias as he teacher said the same before I'd even read it. But his writing is untidy and sometimes he doesnt form his letter correctly (a "g" doesnt quite have the top curvbed over and "r" might not have a clear stick at the start - not all the times though).

he has a job share and one teacher in particular who is known for her undiplimatic approach, goes on and on at him loudly and in front of everyone to the point he was asked to go outside and re-write a story - the other day as she felt it was untidy, he said everyone in the class was looking at him when he left and he returned...he said he felt like it was the walk of shame. Even a friend said to me that her daughter told her about what had happened and she knew what his objectives were with his hand writing - surely other children should not know this?

His writing was fine at the beginning of the year and has digressed since, he seems very dis-heartened with it all.

Im all for the teachers pushing him but can it be that they have battered him down that much in particular in front of others that he's just de-motivated himself?

Should I wait till he starts in his new class, new teacher and ask what we can do to motivate him to want to do better in his hand writing or in fact motivate him to want to please his teacher

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pointythings · 26/06/2014 12:51

My DDs both have rubbish handwriting - but it is fast, effective and legible, which is all I can really ask. As long as they can keep up in secondary and the people assessing their work can read it, I don't really see the problem. Contrary to what people say, handwriting can and does change after primary - and a long way beyond too, mine at 46 is very very different to what it was when I was in my early 30s.

hulahoopsilove · 26/06/2014 12:55

he is very down with it more so as this teacher he says "shows him up in front of others". I shoudl of said in the report it said about there is an issue but at parents evening it was the opposite. He said he has never had any extra work to do or practice at school or anythign sent home so how have they helped him?

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crazykat · 26/06/2014 12:56

What kind of pen/pencil is he using?

My ds1 is younger but his handwriting got much better when I bought some triangle shaped pencils as they're much easier to hold.

I'd ask his current teacher for ideas to improve his writing over the summer. Maybe get him to keep a diary and write a few sentences a day as practice for 10 minutes or so.

IME handwriting is mostly down to practice once you have the right technique. I'm left handed and had dreadful handwriting until I had a left handed teacher who told me to turn my book 90 degrees clockwise, this can help right handed people as well by turning it anti clockwise to find a comfortable position.

Triangular pens/pencils help as well, as can using ballpoint pens instead of fibre tip and vice versa.

crazykat · 26/06/2014 12:58

My brain also goes faster then my hand which is a pita in exams as I end up having to cross words out.

It helps to stop for a second and try to slow my thought process down, or have a spare sheet to quickly jot ideas down and I can then write neater as I'm not worried about forgetting the point I'm trying to make.

PlumpPartridge · 26/06/2014 13:01

The teachers sound like arses.

I have always held a pen with my fist rather than the 'proper' way - various teachers frowned and tried to make me correct it but it never happened.

My writing is legible and I have got two higher degrees and a job I like. It doesn't hold you back Grin

hulahoopsilove · 26/06/2014 13:04

I have no problem for the future he is bright and is doing really well, its his motivation, I think I'll address it with the new teacher if she thinks its an issue

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1099 · 26/06/2014 16:40

Your son may be 'cross lateral' it's to do with how different spheres of the brain work different parts of the body, I am and one of my biggest problems was that I always tried to write as fast as I could think, even now my handwriting is disconnected. I was always badgered by teaching staff and told it would get better if I concentrated etc but it simply wasn't the case, it was always going to stay the same, I now write along a ruler which helps.
You could google cross lateral for other indicators.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 27/06/2014 09:56

The teacher sounds mean. Is his writing legible though? I had a friend at uni who spent the weeks after his exams dictating his exam papers, mistakes and all, to a stenographer at is own expense. All because his writing was illegible. The rest of us were drinking and enjoying the sun. I bet he wishes his teacher had helped him to write more neatly when younger...

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