I am a little upset right now, so I am going to keep this short so I don't say something I shouldn't. What do you do about sloppy school work? I have talked and talked to my children about it, and I know if they slow down their writing is very neat and legible, but they won't slow down. So I need some consequences for that, but what consequences? I know some say they should repeat their work, but what if it's worksheet things that have already been filled out, how do they repeat that? I know I need a consequence and I know I need to enforce it, but I just don't know what that should be. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
We had, have and will continue to have this problem, too. Don't worry though... you'll get through this. What we do is have the children write their spelling words in printing and then in cursive. If it is still too messy, they write it again. I also got Handwriting without tears. It has improved my boys writing 100% Im really not sure why it works so well, but it does.
How about they rrewrite their answers on a separate piece of paper since it's workbook pages.
I have to have my son re-do some of his work, and he's finally slowing down and trying harder to be neat.
Or, you could assign another page?
Hang in there! Holly
I'd take away something that hurts, like computer time! They know the standard you've set. If they don't meet the standard, it's not going to be fun when they are missing out on something they love. Today, we had Princess Attitude visit our school. She threw a fit and had to get an attitude adjustment with some time in her room, too. She did not finish her school work, so when we got home from Physical Therapy, she had to finish it with a happy heart while her brothers went off to play with neighbors. That hurt, but I got the message across.
Hope that helps. I feel better telling you about my rotten morning! (lol, thanks for listening)
Jenn
Edited by jenn4him on Friday, September 7, 2007 at 3:30 PM
I have done in the past what Holly said, make them copy on another sheet of paper their answers. It only takes a couple of times and then they get the message. Especially if it is interfearing with something they want to do.
Donna
Sorry I cant be of more help, but do you have access to a 3 in 1 printer, if so it might help to make 2 copies of each so when the first page gets a lil "messy" they have the second one to work on.
Lots of good advice, I'm jotting them down too :) My first born seems to be my laziest worker, and I'm not sure if that is carryover from his 5 yrs in public school as they just passed him grade to grade when he was very behind :(
I add copywork to their day, even though oldest is 15, and have them write/copy business and personal letters that would mean something to the person receiving them (have to undertand their script). Plus in the beginning of each school year we go over the fact that they are working for the Lord, not to just please me, and they sign a contract stating they are responsible for their learning and for doing their best.
I have to chime in with the rest. I remember so clearly - like yesterday (but it was soooo long ago), when I was about 9 years old and we were going to leave for the State Fair, but I had to dust furniture first. I did a really fast dust job - you know, around lamps, not my best work. And after I announced that I was done, mom inspected my work and made me do it over again and better before we left. That cured me - forever! Even if it is workbooks, I'd either have them redo on a clean paper or erase everything and do again - a couple of times of that, and it should get the message across and they will not want to redo anymore - especially if there is something funner they want to do following.
I think once in a while, if it is super messy, having them re-do it is a good idea. But in general, I require neat handwriting on CERTAIN things but not on everything. Handwriting isn't super important to me; especially since much of what they'll do will be on the computer. They need to know how to write properly and be legible, but in the grand scheme of things, handwriting isn't worth many battles to me. I have to choose my battles. :) (And I've read that boys simply don't typically have great penmanship, so not to worry about it. Not that it helps me much with four girls! ) ;)
I am a wife and mother of two. I started this blog to share the things the Lord shows me in my journey as a wife, mother, homeschool mom and His daughter. And in it all to "grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
II Peter 3:18
