Correcting Illegible Numeral Formation from the Get-go!

When I was a fifth grade teacher, and even fourth, it would always amaze me at the beginning of the year when a student would turn in a math paper with penmanship that could not be deciphered! Many kids wrote ones that looked like sevens as they made a fancy serif on their ones. Fours versus nines- their writing was so sloppy- how could I tell? This always made me wonder how they got so far along in the grades without correcting this issue. As an upper elementary teacher I felt it was my responsibility to nip this in the bud before middle school where their math teacher would have upwards of 120 papers to look over.

Now, try to find practice pages that were specific to the problem and not full of practice that students didn't need. Thus, I created my own practice pages that targeted the numerals in question. You can take a peek at my practice pages here in my TpT store.

This student has challenges with zeros versus sixes

The way I assessed and assigned practice was by first giving a timed test for any operation- usually addition in September. I did not let students know I was assessing their penmanship as well as their facts. You don't want students being extra careful, just their everyday writing. If your district does not require timed tests, you can assess numeral formation through any math paper you have.

I would make a copy of the paper for any students who needed to improve their numeral formation. Hopefully only about 3 to 5 kids out of your whole class are writing this way. The copy was dated and kept in a folder or binder and used to show growth.

I highlighted any numbers on my copy I could not read (the original was scored only for the math and handed back) and I held an individual conference with each student over their issue. Nothing lengthy- less than 4 minutes. As we talked, I let them know I was not going to bother them with practicing the numbers they wrote well, but every time I had an issue with telling the difference between their ones and sevens, for example, I would attach a practice sheet for just those numbers and they had to complete it as well as fix the numbers on the paper in question, and turn both in.
This practice is something that can be done for morning work, while the class is transitioning, cleaning up (excuse just this small group), or even homework. If you share with parents that you care about their student not carrying this issue all through school, usually they are on board. If the home is unsupportive, find a few minutes and have the student(s) complete the work in school but I never punish with this work by holding a student from something they love like recess.

We kept all practice (dated) in their folder as well and compared their work over time. I would have the student decide if they were improving during our periodic conferences. Once the problem was straightened out, we celebrated (a sticker, high-five...even a class announcement depending on the grade level) and if I never saw the problem again, hip, hip, hooray! Believe it or not, students love this individual attention and knowing that you care about them, individually- but the younger this can be taken care of, the better.

My pages include two areas where students can self-assess their writing. The target on each page can also be used by the teacher if students do not self-assess fairly. (We all have those students that think everything they do is perfect every time!)

So, if you try to fix up some messy writing, good luck and let me know how it goes!