Is handwriting still a relevant skill to learn? Yes! Let’s discover more about handwriting in math.
#1 – Why is Handwriting in Math Important?
First, students who demonstrate legible handwriting in math experience fewer calculation errors. When students write legibly, they experience less frustration with math. Legible handwriting decreases the challenge for teachers and parents attempting to read student calculations.
On the other hand, students with illegible handwriting experience a greater risk of math errors. This is seen most often with math assignments that require more than one step to solve a problem. It would be no surprise that frustration with handwriting leads to frustration with math. This frustration only increases as students must show steps for solving problems in Algebra.
#2 – Reasons Why Students Struggle with Handwriting
First, students lack instruction and practice with handwriting. Handwriting may be thought less important than other subjects. It is often a subject thought to take care of itself on its own. Unfortunately, that is not true! Handwriting must be taught.
Second, students experience difficulty with fine motor skills. An example is manipulating objects with their hands, such as a pencil. Students with this challenge may also experience difficulty with other tasks such as buttoning, snapping, and tying their shoes.
Third, students demonstrate difficulty gripping a pencil. For example, students hold the pencil too tightly, too loosely, or in an awkward position. A functional hand grip with a pencil is essential to fine motor skills.
Fourth, children who have not met developmental milestones may also demonstrate challenges with handwriting. Below is a link to a resource that includes normal fine motor development in children from birth to age 4 years.
Fifth, students who rush through assignments often present with illegible writing. I have one solution for this problem. Instruct students to do it right the first time, or they will have to do it again. Though picture perfect is nice, I want to see legible. Legible handwriting is important when I evaluate a student’s ability to solve a quadratic equation.
#3 – Help for Handwriting
Next, find the help your child needs for handwriting success. If your child has not started school, check with the local special education department in your county. If your child is in the public school system, ask your child’s teacher about the steps needed to obtain a free assessment. Your pediatrician can also provide a list of service providers. Handwriting assessments and services are provided by occupational therapists.
Furthermore, a handwriting program that I use is Handwriting Without Tears. This product was created by an occupational therapist. See the link below.
#4 – Other Resources
Furthermore, you may find the following resources helpful. The first is a resource that includes differentiated lines for writing letters and numbers. Within the bundle is another set for letter and number practice within boxes.
Next, click on the link below to learn more.
Furthermore, the following resource is an example of an organizational tool for multiplication. This product is ideal for organizing numbers. As students use templates, they learn the process of multiplying multi-digit numbers.
Description
Multiplying 1 – 3-digit numbers, Scaffolded, graphic organizers, Simple step-by-step directions. Visual Learners: Color-coded version (28 pages), black and white version(28 pages), 2 box sizes, 110 Easel Multiple Choice Questions, Print and go! It is also useful for 3-digit addition and subtraction!
Print the pages, place the pages in page protectors, and page protectors in a binder. This provides easy access for the teacher with students of various performance levels in multi-digit multiplication skills. Simply find the level that will meet the student’s need, print, and there you are! This product also works great for RTI and other instruction.
Includes 110 EASEL Multiple Choice Questions!!!
Each question INCLUDES a TEMPLATE designed to solve that specific problem.
Each question includes color-coded boxes as visual clues.
Conclusion
When a child writes legibly, success in other subjects will also flourish. Students, parents, and math teachers will also be grateful!
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