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My children learned to read cursive at about 1st and 2nd grade when I told them it was a secret code and I had Christmas gift lists that I didn't want them to know about. They learned to write in 3rd grade. It's important to know because learning to read anything that might affect their lives is important. If I were told that my kids wouldn't be learning to read & write cursive, I'd teach them anyway.
quote:
Originally posted by SaltyDog:
Does your child know how to read and write in cursive? yes

At what age and grade did they learn? 2nd Grade D'Nealian and then in 3rd grade they moved to Zaner-Bloser.

How important do you think it is for your child to be able to read and write in cursive? very. all of her teachers require it.

What would you do if you were told that your child wouldn't be learning to read and write in cursive? change schools immediately. Those people are obviously out of touch with the world around them.
Generally, late second and third grade is when they start learning. My second grader is learning now because she is interested. She started learning at the beginning of the year. I purchase a workbook for my older child in hopes that it would improve her handwriting. Both children use it.

How important? VERY. There are some children that enter high school and they can barely read cursive writing and they rarely use it in their daily writing. What's the big deal? If they continue to college there are some professors that expect academic writing (shock) and that means writing, not printing. Learning to write in cursive is also beneficial for developing note taking skills which are key to success in most subjects. It is faster to write than to print.

What would I do if I was told that they wouldn't be learning it? Question why and teach them myself. It is ultimately MY responsibility that my children be educated. The school system is simply the system that I choose to use for that purpose.
quote:
Originally posted by SaltyDog:
Does your child know how to read and write in cursive? At what age and grade did they learn? How important do you think it is for your child to be able to read and write in cursive? What would you do if you were told that your child wouldn't be learning to read and write in cursive?


We started my daughter last yr in 2nd grade and now she is in 3rd. Last couple of weeks they started teaching it in the classroom. I would have to take it up with whoever is in charge if they were not going to teach cursive. How would your child be able to learn in the future if they cannot read cursive? Mind telling which school system this is going on in if true? Good Luck!
My daughter is 13 years old, and now in Florence City Schools, but she attended Florence Christian Academy from K - 5th grade. At Florence Christian, they teach them to write in cursive in the 1st grade, and require it in the 2nd grade. I was very impressed with this, and now, at 13, she has beautiful hand writing. But there are a lot of kids in the same grade as she is this year, who can barely write in cursive at all, and some of the middle school teachers do not require any of the kids work to be written in cursive.
quote:
Originally posted by FloTownDown08:
My daughter is 13 years old, and now in Florence City Schools, but she attended Florence Christian Academy from K - 5th grade. At Florence Christian, they teach them to write in cursive in the 1st grade, and require it in the 2nd grade. I was very impressed with this, and now, at 13, she has beautiful hand writing. But there are a lot of kids in the same grade as she is this year, who can barely write in cursive at all, and some of the middle school teachers do not require any of the kids work to be written in cursive.
ANOTHER JOBRO ID! Good gracious... can you not be ONE person?? Pathetic.
quote:
Originally posted by dkn:
Why write in cursive when everything has to be typed to turn in?The essay test is a thing of the past now that we all take standardized tests. This school may very well be on the forefront of modern education. they can just type everything.


That is a good question.
At what age are they taught "typing" or Keyboarding, or whatever it is called.

Funny thing, once I was in college (school of engineering) most every class except English required us to PRINT !
As a result , my normal handwriting is some screwed up combination of the 2.
My husband teaches middle school and high school kids. When he first started at the school, he assigned a paper. While he was explaining the guidelines, a kid piped up and said, "Copy and paste are my two best friends." My husband promptly informed them that their papers would have to be handwritten. I think he felt that if they were going to try to get away with plagiarism, at least they could practice their handwriting!

But usually, I think kids are allowed to use the computer for things these days. Cursive is probably going the way of the postal letter.

I think that knowing how to read cursive is more important that being good at writing it. But I also believe that there is great value in putting in the work and practice required to cultivate nice handwriting whether teachers require it or not.

I think that my husband woujld tell his students to use their most legible writing for things he has to read. Past a certain grade, I think that becomes the most important thing, rather than if something is written in cursive vs. being printed.
quote:
Originally posted by dkn:
Why write in cursive when everything has to be typed to turn in?The essay test is a thing of the past now that we all take standardized tests. This school may very well be on the forefront of modern education. they can just type everything.

The essay test is very much not a thing of the past and if that is the case in all schools around here, no wonder the critical thinking skills of the students are so bad. There are writing components to many standardized tests and exams in college usually consist of essay questions.

The typed and turned in requirement is because the handwriting, and even printing, is so bad you can't read it. It looks like you asked a first grader to copy information. It is also because that is a skill that needs to be learned.

The students CAN'T take notes because:
1) they don't know how
2) they can't write fast enough to keep up
3) you/they can't read what they do write
Ah HA! Annikins has a good point. Already studies have shown that Alabama high school graduates are not ready for basic college entry Math and English. Now our kids may have yet another disadvantage. It's not that I don't want to teach my child cursive myself, it's just that I think if it's part of the curriculum, it should be taught. Not "touched on" or "introduced", but TAUGHT!
quote:
Originally posted by SaltyDog:
Ah HA! Annikins has a good point. Already studies have shown that Alabama high school graduates are not ready for basic college entry Math and English. Now our kids may have yet another disadvantage. It's not that I don't want to teach my child cursive myself, it's just that I think if it's part of the curriculum, it should be taught. Not "touched on" or "introduced", but TAUGHT!


I agree!
My college student and high schooler both learned in 3rd grade.

I'm guessing the thinking here is that cursive isn't used nearly as much as it used to be, that e-mail is replacing letters, and that most everyone has access to a computer.

I had to give up writing in cursive in college, because I would end up scribbling my notes and not be able to decipher them later. For tests and papers, the professors didn't care either way, as long as it was legible. I also had professors - especially for tests - that didn't mind pencil.

In graduate school, papers were required to be typed, because everyone seemed to have access to a computer, word processor, or secretary. I had one professor that required the papers to be word processed, not just typed.

When I got out of college and got a job, before PC's were common in business, I was required to fill out all paper work using legible, dark, print in pencil. Everything got copied before submission and signatures.

Fortunately for me, my father required all of his children to take typing in high school. He typed 120 wpm, and had illegible handwriting. I inherited his illegible handwriting, but not his typing speed. Frowner

My high school jobs were in offices where everything was typewritten.

How many of us here know how to use a slide-rule? I had a chemistry teacher in HS that required us to use one, even though calculators were then becoming relatively inexpensive and common everywhere.

I'll finally get to my point - I understand what the school is thinking, that cursive is probably on the way out, and that there are more important things to learn, I also think it is too soon to stop teaching it.

I'll also add that our office is about to hire someone for a clerical position, and I could care less what her handwriting looks like, or whether or not she can write in cursive, but she is going to have to be able to type and have strong computer skills.

I was just thinking, when was the last time I read anything in cursive? Nothing today, nothing this week, I doubt anything this month. The only time I write in cursive is to write a check, which I rarely do since I print most of my checks from the computer, or use a debit card.

I'd be really interested in hearing what the teacher or principal say is their rationale for not teaching cursive.
quote:
Originally posted by lanmou95:

How important? VERY. There are some children that enter high school and they can barely read cursive writing and they rarely use it in their daily writing. What's the big deal? If they continue to college there are some professors that expect academic writing (shock) and that means writing, not printing. Learning to write in cursive is also beneficial for developing note taking skills which are key to success in most subjects. It is faster to write than to print.



What college is this? My college student is required to turn in everything typed. If she or classmates want to bring their laptops to class and type their notes, that's okay too. Typing is faster than writing.

What is "academic writing"? I doubt there is an academic or scholarly journal that takes handwritten submissions of anything anymore.

I'm not saying that cursive shouldn't be taught, I think it should, but to require it to be used in college is on the same level as requiring students to use a slide rule, or like the math professor I had in college (and dropped) requiring MATH homework to be done on typing paper in ink.
Doesn't it frighten you all that your kids wouldn't be able to read a handwritten prescription meant for them or the Constitution of the United States? Come on. The fact is, it doesn't matter whether the art of script is still used for writing educational papers or filling our forms. Our kids must learn it in order to READ it. Are we going to raise adults who can't read, for example. historical documents? For example, how then will they KNOW what their Constitional rights really are if they can't read them for themselves?
Not only the constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg address, the original "Star-Spangled Banner". Educators need to learn to keep things from the past. When I was in school, we started math with an abacus. No, I am only 40, but the teachers wanted us to know how things used to be. Moving the balls to show 10's and 100's facinated us. Being able to read our country's original documents, should be a gift our educator's give us. Also, in my history class we had an hour and 15 minutes to take a test. I don't think I could have finished in time if I was printing.
I agree, cursive is very much needed. I wonder about these teachers that require everything the students turn in to be typed...
  • How do high school students complete tests in class? Many tests still have "essay" questions, it has not all gone the way of the ScanTron.
  • High school students taking the SAT must write an essay, in pencil and it must be readable: Two trained readers assign each essay a score between 1 and 6, where a score of 0 is reserved for essays that are blank, off-topic, non-English, not written with no. 2 pencil, or considered illegible after several attempts at reading.
  • How do college students complete tests in English Lit? Many of those tests have questions are "essay" based as well. I know my economics and finance classes had essay questions.
  • Is the Sophomore English Proficiency Examination still required to graduate? It requires writing an extensive essay.

    Not teaching kids how to write is asinine. I write notes to my boss, take notes in meetings (many gov buildings do not allow laptops or camera enabled cellphones inside. If I want to take notes at a meeting, I better bring a pen and paper), make out grocery lists, and even leave my kid notes telling her what chores she needs to do before she can use the internet or watch TV. I guess I could print all of that sort of thing, but why would I (or anyone) want to do that??
  • Children do not begin to develop fine muscles in the wrists and hands until around age 8 to 10. That is why young children learn to write with "fat pencils." Research also shows that kids learn better if they can read as they learn to write cursive. The accepted norm is around 3rd grade. Penmanship books are a great help to teaching of penmanship. However, practice is what makes it perfect. By the way, I could practice for 100 years, and my handwriting would still not be "pretty!"
    quote:
    Originally posted by CrustyMac:
    What college is this? My college student is required to turn in everything typed. If she or classmates want to bring their laptops to class and type their notes, that's okay too. Typing is faster than writing.

    What is "academic writing"? I doubt there is an academic or scholarly journal that takes handwritten submissions of anything anymore.

    I'm not saying that cursive shouldn't be taught, I think it should, but to require it to be used in college is on the same level as requiring students to use a slide rule, or like the math professor I had in college (and dropped) requiring MATH homework to be done on typing paper in ink.


    I had a prof at UNA that required it for essays written in class and he gave me a C because I didn't dot my i's.

    I taught a class at UNA last semester and there were times when essays were due by the end of class. Can't type and print in class. Not all of my students used cursive, it didn't occur to me to remind them that printing looks elementary. My international students had beautiful handwriting. It was rather impressive.

    Typing is faster than writing only if you know how to type.

    Academic writing usually refers to writing on the academic level, not your everyday letter.
    quote:
    Originally posted by annikins32:
    Also, in my history class we had an hour and 15 minutes to take a test. I don't think I could have finished in time if I was printing.


    I have one student that prints like my second grader. Granted it is great printing, but the student is never going to make it taking notes in college because the writing takes SO long.

    There are others that you can't even read. Sad really.
    quote:
    Originally posted by dkn:
    Why write in cursive when everything has to be typed to turn in?The essay test is a thing of the past now that we all take standardized tests. This school may very well be on the forefront of modern education. they can just type everything.


    dkn has a great point. Though I don't necessarily agree with it and as a parent I place a strong emphasis on it, my son's 1st grade teacher has stated that she is not going to stress "good handwriting" and gave as an explanation, our greater dependance on the use of the computer. I still want my kids to write good, even in cursive, but the future ultimately is going to type written documents.
    Has it ever occured to people that some families still don't have a home computer and printer, and no access to one outside the home? There are many households who can't afford them, don't have them, and most likely never will. I guess when the schools issue every student a home work station they can stop teaching handwriting.
    Generally a 1st grader is reading or should be and I think it depends on the teacher how far they go in their writing skills. My two oldest daughters went to a private school for the first few years of elementary and since they was smaller classes they moved along real quick. By first grade they knew all their math facts and was reading at 3rd grade level and their penmanship was excellent. My 3rd daughter is in public school and there is alot more kids, she is in 1st grade and is reading well and we have worked with her at home on her math facts and writing skills also. If you have great "teachers" your child whether in public or private should be doing reading and writing well. Unfortunatly there are children who have graduated and do not read well at all. (fell through the cracks)

    “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
    quote:
    Originally posted by kontan:



    I had a prof at UNA that required it for essays written in class and he gave me a C because I didn't dot my i's.

    I taught a class at UNA last semester and there were times when essays were due by the end of class. Can't type and print in class. Not all of my students used cursive, it didn't occur to me to remind them that printing looks elementary. My international students had beautiful handwriting. It was rather impressive.

    Typing is faster than writing only if you know how to type.

    Academic writing usually refers to writing on the academic level, not your everyday letter.


    I would have lasted about ten seconds in that class. Fortunately the schools I went to were more concerned about critical thinking, understanding the subject, and ideas than they were about dotting "i"s. In college the only penmanship requirement was that the writing was legible. I envy those that have beautiful handwriting. I never could do it.

    Writing in cursive is only faster than printing if you know how to write in cursive. Wink
    quote:
    Originally posted by SaltyDog:
    Doesn't it frighten you all that your kids wouldn't be able to read a handwritten prescription meant for them or the Constitution of the United States? Come on. The fact is, it doesn't matter whether the art of script is still used for writing educational papers or filling our forms. Our kids must learn it in order to READ it. Are we going to raise adults who can't read, for example. historical documents? For example, how then will they KNOW what their Constitional rights really are if they can't read them for themselves?


    If this was directed at me, no I'm not afraid; my children can read and write cursive. They both use it. And yes, I think it should still be taught. I also think that typing has become just as critical and should be taught even earlier than it has been.

    As to reading documents in their original form, that was the first argument I came up with supporting still teaching cursive. The second thought I had was that no one forced me to learn Greek and Hebrew, and now I can't read the Scriptures in their original form; my loss, but I AM still able to read the Bible. At some point, needing to read and write cursive may not be important, I don't think we are there, yet.
    quote:
    Originally posted by voiceofrezn:
    quote:
    Originally posted by dkn:
    Why write in cursive when everything has to be typed to turn in?The essay test is a thing of the past now that we all take standardized tests. This school may very well be on the forefront of modern education. they can just type everything.


    dkn has a great point. Though I don't necessarily agree with it and as a parent I place a strong emphasis on it, my son's 1st grade teacher has stated that she is not going to stress "good handwriting" and gave as an explanation, our greater dependance on the use of the computer. I still want my kids to write good, even in cursive, but the future ultimately is going to type written documents.


    I think it has already been pointed out, but there are still plenty of essay tests around. the CPA exam requires written answers, and I'm pretty sure the Bar exam does also.
    quote:
    Originally posted by SaltyDog:
    Does your child know how to read and write in cursive? At what age and grade did they learn? How important do you think it is for your child to be able to read and write in cursive? What would you do if you were told that your child wouldn't be learning to read and write in cursive?


    My daughter is in the 5th grade at Brooks. She learned how to read and write in cursive in the 3rd grade at Forest Hills. My son is in 2nd at Brooks and has not started learning this yet. Although he has learned how to read my cursive writing just because he is nosey...LOL

    I think handwriting including cursive is important, but not as important as it used to be. I use a computer/blackberry/cell for ALL correspondence, both at home and at work. Our kids will do this more than we do
    Here is the big question. For those of you that think it is critically important for our kids to still learn cursive writing.

    What do we give up? History is being made every day and the school year doesnt get any longer. I dont think anyone will disagree that we need to learn more and more computer skills at an earlier age. Right now my kids barely have time to be kids. Homework continues to take up more and more time in the afternoon. So where do we draw the line? When do we decide that we have to give up something to learn something new? 50 years ago they were not learning what they are today in the first three years of school.........Kids are getting more and more stressed out.
    quote:
    Originally posted by CrustyMac:
    quote:
    Originally posted by SaltyDog:
    Doesn't it frighten you all that your kids wouldn't be able to read a handwritten prescription meant for them or the Constitution of the United States? Come on. The fact is, it doesn't matter whether the art of script is still used for writing educational papers or filling our forms. Our kids must learn it in order to READ it. Are we going to raise adults who can't read, for example. historical documents? For example, how then will they KNOW what their Constitional rights really are if they can't read them for themselves?


    If this was directed at me, no I'm not afraid; my children can read and write cursive. They both use it. And yes, I think it should still be taught. I also think that typing has become just as critical and should be taught even earlier than it has been.

    As to reading documents in their original form, that was the first argument I came up with supporting still teaching cursive. The second thought I had was that no one forced me to learn Greek and Hebrew, and now I can't read the Scriptures in their original form; my loss, but I AM still able to read the Bible. At some point, needing to read and write cursive may not be important, I don't think we are there, yet.


    Oh no, Crusty, it wasn'r directed at anybody in particular! I meant in general! It frightens me, tho'. That's why I plan to teach him myself. I just wish I didn't have to do that because it means nobody else in his class will learn if their parents don't teach them, and I don't think they've ever thought about it. Most don't know. And I am total agreement about typing, and computer skills, for that matter. My husband can do neither, and the world has passed him by. Frowner
    quote:
    Originally posted by SO TIRED OF IGNORANCE:
    Here is the big question. For those of you that think it is critically important for our kids to still learn cursive writing.

    What do we give up? History is being made every day and the school year doesnt get any longer. I dont think anyone will disagree that we need to learn more and more computer skills at an earlier age. Right now my kids barely have time to be kids. Homework continues to take up more and more time in the afternoon. So where do we draw the line? When do we decide that we have to give up something to learn something new? 50 years ago they were not learning what they are today in the first three years of school.........Kids are getting more and more stressed out.


    Compared with the rest of the modern world, at that time, kids in America's schools performed BEST in the '50s and '60s. So what happened?
    quote:
    Originally posted by SO TIRED OF IGNORANCE:
    Here is the big question. For those of you that think it is critically important for our kids to still learn cursive writing.

    What do we give up? History is being made every day and the school year doesnt get any longer. I dont think anyone will disagree that we need to learn more and more computer skills at an earlier age. Right now my kids barely have time to be kids. Homework continues to take up more and more time in the afternoon. So where do we draw the line? When do we decide that we have to give up something to learn something new? 50 years ago they were not learning what they are today in the first three years of school.........Kids are getting more and more stressed out.


    Good question. It's even worse in the sciences. My daughter is covering chemical biology topics in her biology class, things my wife - a chemical biology major - didn't cover until her third year in college.

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