question for teachers (and parents)

[cheltzey]

Maybe I don't get it...but what's the point of cursive writing, anyways? I NEVER write in cursive to sign my name. I guess I would rather have them spend more time on science or something useful. JMO.

[Darcy Baldwin]

Cursive is actually easier than print for most people, especially those with motor disabilities. And before the invention of typewriters/computers, most people wrote in a form of cursive for everyday writing.

Handwriting, in general, is becoming a lost art form.

[cheltzey]

Originally Posted by Darcy Baldwin

Cursive is actually easier than print for most people, especially those with motor disabilities. And before the invention of typewriters/computers, most people wrote in a form of cursive for everyday writing.

Handwriting, in general, is becoming a lost art form.

I know it used to be used, but I never see it around anymore except in grandparents! I didn't know that so many people found it easier; I know it was really frustrating for me. Maybe it's a generational thing. I think it's much more important to be able to type quickly than to write in cursive.

[pewtertm]

Wow, that's bizarre to me. The elementary school I taught at taught 2nd and 3rd graders cursive. I do recall hearing of a district that was actually skipping PRINT, and going straight to cursive, which I thought was ABSOLUTELY idiotic, since we read books, etc in print. I SO wish we could get back to teaching the basics.

[jessica31876]

I want science taught too but I think learning to write/read in cursive is important. I mostly write in cursive if I am writing a letter. Id rather they focus a whole lot less time on the testing. They spend like three months at least prepping for a test the kids are already supposed to have the information to pass.

Originally Posted by cheltzey

Maybe I don't get it...but what's the point of cursive writing, anyways? I NEVER write in cursive to sign my name. I guess I would rather have them spend more time on science or something useful. JMO.

[LeeAndra]

I am afraid that in 50 years they will not teach children how to write at all! Or maybe only teach Text-ese!!

[jessica31876]

LOL I can see that happening!! Really quite sad.

Originally Posted by LeeAndra

I am afraid that in 50 years they will not teach children how to write at all! Or maybe only teach Text-ese!!

[ShortCake]

Last year my kids school told me that it wasn't required to do cursive.

This year at my son's conference, they gave me three books to help him with his spring ISTEP. Umm, yeah, right. I personally think they are going overboard with the testing. They had ISTEP this fall and will take it again in the spring. It's ridiculous.

[scarletsierra]

They are mandated to focus on testing because of NCLB requirements, unfortunately. It's a necessary "evil" in education, but I think there needs to be a better balance, personally. It has become such a focus and it seems like all curriculum is essentially geared toward testing.

[sjford0419]

Here in SC students learn cursive in the 3rd grade. Unfortunately they don't spend much time on and it is not practiced in 4th or 5th grade. About 95% of my 5th graders DO NOT know how to write cursive (they use invented cursive writing!) I was told that because of computers, cursive writing will probably be obsolete one day....

[HeatherKS]

I don't know about cursive in our district since my dd is only in 1st grade, but our schools use the Handwriting Without Tears program for printing and I think it's great. My younger dd's preschool started using it this year and I'm amazed at how quickly she's picking up writing her letters with it.