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chicken lady
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| Posted: Oct 22 2007 at 7:58pm | IP Logged
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I have a dd 11 who begged me to put her in a Literature coop. I did, she is doing well, but her handwriting is ridiculous. I gently remind her to leave spaces between words, capitalize proper names, add periods and commas etc. I am getting VERY frustrated with her over her sloppiness. I don;t want to over react nor do I want to let this go. How do you all handle this? Do you think it is age approriate? Do you think she will improve? Did I mention we are unschoolers so this is her first attempt at grammar  Any advice?
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Red Cardigan
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| Posted: Oct 22 2007 at 8:15pm | IP Logged
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Molly, I have an 11-year-old DD too!  (She'll be 12 soon though).
Her handwriting is coming along but she still likes to print better than write by hand. My youngest DD, 9, is also learning cursive but sometimes prints using what she calls "typewriter letters" where she will copy the letters in the text almost exactly! It's my middle DD (10) whose writing is completely indecipherable.
We're working on it, and I bought some more handwriting practice books for them to use. I know unschooling and workbooks don't always coincide, but you could "make" your own handwriting practice pages with lined paper and a sentence written for her to copy. Or you might encourage her to write cards/letters to people, and point out that her writing will have to be clear if she wants the recipient to be able to read it.
I think patience is key! As far as age, like I said my middle DD has a harder time than the youngest with this, so age/grade level doesn't always make the most difference. Some children seem to "get" handwriting and punctuation easier than others.
Hope this helps! 
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ozlouise
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| Posted: Oct 24 2007 at 5:26am | IP Logged
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Could you tackle one thing at a time - spacing between words would be a good place to start because you always need that. Easier than commas where you need to learn a few standards.
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Anne
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| Posted: Oct 24 2007 at 6:04am | IP Logged
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Sometimes it could be trying to write on a flat surface. Years ago (in my former life as a PS teacher)I had a student who had to write on an inclined plane because of his inability to write neatly. He also complained of hand cramps arm cramps etc... while writing. If this doesn't work what about typing on the computer or typewriter?
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Barbara R.
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| Posted: Oct 26 2007 at 7:52am | IP Logged
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I agree that typing can help, although that's a long rather than short term solution. Five to ten minutes a day on a typing tutorial (we have an old Mavis Beacon that's fine) will lead to real progress.
Meanwhile, I agree on working on the space between words. One of my sons has handwriting that is very BIG--it fills the line from top to bottom. So for him, double spacing really increases legibility. I don't know if this would help your daughter.
I bought the StartWrite computer program this summer, and am really loving it! It has many fonts, and I can type up handwriting exercises that fit (in size and content) each child. This might be something to consider if you're going to get systematic about handwriting. Again, it doesn't have to be for a long time, but a little bit every day could help a lot.
As far as grammar, working on one thing at a time will eventually get you where you want to go. It can be frustrating to see all the errors at first, but by the end of the year, you'll see a big improvement.
What is the attitude of the other co-opers? Is content or style more important? Is work self-corrected, mom-corrected, or "teacher"-corrected?
Barbara in noVA
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chicken lady
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| Posted: Oct 26 2007 at 8:31am | IP Logged
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My concern with a typewriter is, you still need to develop hand writing skills. Maybe I am not understanding the reasoning, I have had only one cup of Joe today.
The co-op teacher is wonderful, she is actually the mom who first introdced me to CCM yahoo list. She is very laid back and lets each child progress at his/her own speed. Mom is the one having the panic!
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Barbara R.
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| Posted: Oct 26 2007 at 11:47pm | IP Logged
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I agree that legible handwriting is a must, BUT for longer projects, typing is quicker (eventually), easier, and more legible. The physical act of writing many pages at a time can be tedious or discouraging, and I've tended to avoid it with my homeschoolers. I've allowed much oral work or dictation (to Mom) over the years, adding writing or typing as the children mature. Sometimes I do wonder if I'm coddling them, but other times I'm glad to get more info out them when they're not faced with writing it all out.
What does this all mean? My kids don't (physically) write much. They practice a little handwriting (I use Handwriting Without Tears.) most days. The older ones (grade 6 or so) learn to type for longer assignments. I do teach grammar, but in small bits.
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Barbara R.
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| Posted: Oct 27 2007 at 6:50am | IP Logged
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Ooooh! FWIW, I just thought of an analogy that makes at least me feel better about the small amount of writing my children do in the early years. It reminds me of the baseball season for nine-year olds that we just finished. The season starts out with the coaches pitching. Partway through, the coach pitches a few innings, while a child pitches the rest of the game. By the end of the season, children are pitching the whole game.
Barbara in noVA
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: Handwriting Question
