Messy handwriting/homework

[Susi]

My 9 year old drives me crazy. His handwriting has always been bad, we had him tested, but the OT just found that he is trying to get it done asap, therefore no one can really read his handwriting. Which doesn't help his grades. His homework is being affected also. I know a 9 year old can't really understand that this is affecting his grades, and sometimes I think he just doesn't care. After the summer he will be in 5th grade, and I just feel my grey hair coming in just thinking about it. I don't know how what to do about it. He can work meticiolous if he sets his mind to it, but to me and the teacher it just doesn't seem to be bothering him at all.
Any advice? I'd hate to take things away that he enjoys, but don't know what else to do.......

Susi

[PamE]

Hi, and welcome to the board! :)

This may sound really harsh but I can guarantee that it will work in record time. Get the teacher's cooperation and inform your ds that each time he hands in a paper with messy handwriting he will be required to re-write it. That includes homework as well as seatwork. As long as there are no underlying OT issues then this is guaranteed to make him think twice about doing a slap dash job. I'm seriously thinking of doing the same thing with my dd (also in 4th). It's frustrating when they're not working up to their potential!

[Marla]

Hi and welcome to the boards. My oldest son is in 4th grade also, and I know that is what his teacher does. If they hand in something extra messy, they must re-write it before she will accept it. It's harsh, but it works.