Hi Misty,
I do have my children perfect whatever is written. Re-writing versus correcting is case by case. If the work is conducive to correcting then that’s what is done. Sometimes, though, there is just no hope for it and it must be done again. Also, if I detect that the sloppiness is due to an attitude that cannot be verbally encouraged to leave, then the work is redone, but I try to be very sweet about it as I remember my own bad attitudes :).
I think it’s hard for children to get the letter sizing right. Patience is probably the best help; he’ll get it with practice. Gentle reminders to ‘be mindful of your letter sizes’ can be helpful also.
If you decide that more help is needed, is your son young enough to not be insulted by the primer books that have the dotted line? We use the Roaring Spring Composition books (they’re the only ones I’ve ever seen, actually, so I guess they’re available everywhere). The red third grade one has smallish lines, but still with the dotted middle line.
Blessings,
Cindy