I recently read an article written by a mother who was debating whether or not children should be learning how to write in cursive anymore. It made me think back to Strathcona Elementary, in my Grade 2 class when my teacher Mrs.VanderFlyer was teaching us to hand-write. We were all grumbling that we would NEVER have to use it outside of school. (turns out, we were right!) But because I was a smartypants and complete teacher's pet, I worked my hardest and beamed with pride when Mrs.VanderFlyer announced that I was the best in the class and my handwriting made her "sick with envy". Sigh. Those were the glory days.
Of course after reading the article, I had to then immediately try and see if I could still hand-write the entire alphabet to my superior standards. And because of my superior standards I am too ashamed to show a picture of how bad my letters looked. At least I still remembered how to do them!
I for one, would be sad to see cursive writing leave our schools. I know I want my daughter to learn, even if she never uses it outside of school. I feel like it's an important skill to know, and only a little part of me wants her to have the best handwriting in her class. OK, I dream of those elementary school awards assemblies. In them Bee is given the award for best handwriting, and as everyone is applauding her genius, I dab my eyes with a hankie and blurt out with pride, "THAT"S MY BABY!"
What are your thoughts? Do you think handwriting is an important skill to still learn these days? Or should schools throw it out altogether?
I don't think cursive is mandatory outside of school but I think it's a really good skill to have. There's always times when you want writing to look nicer than printing (like maybe on birthday cards for example?). I still handwrite most my notes at work, simply because it looks nicer. :-)
ReplyDeleteAviva learned cursive this year, in 3rd grade, and she loves it. She complained that the class was going too slow, so we printed out the whole cursive alphabet and she went to town, practicing at home. But you know her -- any fine-motor skill is a friend to that girl.
ReplyDeleteElias, as you also know, has many adorable qualities, but motor skills are not the tools with which he will conquer the universe. It's gonna be painful for him to learn cursive. Perry never uses cursive, and while his printing is bad, also, he seems to be getting by in life. :)
If I had to set a school curriculum, I think I'd require kids to do their work legibly, and show them cursive, but not require it. Aviva told me that they had to copy some text in cursive at school the other day. Given all the material schools have to cover, and the number of kids each teacher has to shepherd through the year, I'd rather they spent the time on other things.
I do remember all the time I spent in elementary school concentrating on writing in big, loopy, "pretty" letters, with hearts for the dots of the "i"s, though . . .
Sirina, you made me laugh! I can just picture Aviva and Elias and their reactions! Thank you for making my day so much brighter!
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