Trick to Solving Backward Number Formation

Here's a little tip about how to help your students form their numbers the correct direction.  Students can check the numbers with their left hand: 2 and 3 hang off the thumb, 4 sits on the thumb, 5 curves around the thumb, 6 leans against the first finger and sits on the thumb, 7  and 9 hang off the thumb.  How "handy" is that?  Here's a printable page of "bookmarks" that you can give to each student to reference as they write their numbers.  Think about sending these home at your math night or back to school night for parents to have at home as a helper.  Look for posters that you can post in your room on this blog next week.  Tip for you:  As I've taught this to my students, I've learned that I need to make sure that I take my lefties aside and remind them that they need to set their pencil down to check their numbers.  Otherwise, my lefties start writing backward numbers. ;)