Stop Teaching Cursive Writing in the Classroom

http://www.spectacle.org/298/auren.html ^

[camle]

sounds like someone has too much time on their hands.

[Rodney King]

I agree. Think of all the hours wasted in elementary school on cursive writing. I have not used it since.

[DouglasKC]

What's wrong with this? I think it's quite beautiful...as long as I don't have to do it manually.

[TontoKowalski]

I agree. Stop teaching cursive in the classroom.

My 6-year-old is doing just fine learning it at home.

Sneaky homeschool bump!

[sheltonmac]

But now I envy her for not spending time learning a soon-to-be defunct dialect of handwriting.

Why not stop teaching all forms of writing? In this age of computer technology, even the keyboard will soon be obsolete. </tongueincheek>

[Ward Smythe]

My cursive writing skills have always been questionable. I can write neatly if I take the time, but if I'm in a hurry, I've developed a block print (sort of like an architect print) to use. I think my writing trouble goes back to the fact that I was born left handed and forced to write with the right hand - but that's my childhood memory at work.

With the rise in computer usage, I rarely write anything except checks - and you couldn't read my signature if you had to.

[07055]

I don't know if everyone takes typewriting courses these days, but they should.

I took typing back in 1973 and was one of the few guys in the class. The thought then was you only needed to know how to type if you planned to become a secretary. I figured I would need it to type college papers. Little did I know I would spend hours everyday typing.

I almost never write anything in cursive.

They should take some of the time spent teaching cursive handwriting, and use it for typing classes for everyone.

[Phantom Lord]

I could not write in cursive if i tried. My "print" writing is no prize either. I would put my handwriting up against anyone's as "the worst and most unreadable in the world." I make doctors handwritting look good!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Actually, years of writing in Log Books forever cured any use of script... ;0)

[Wm Bach]

It's only called cursive because reading it makes you cuss.

[EggsAckley]

With typing now the norm rather than the exception, print handwriting
will be forever dominant over script.

This is Bull. Another lazy Gen-Xer, methinks. I was actually waiting
for the author to say, stop teaching spelling, we have spell check.

[asformeandformyhouse]

I have not used it since

Really? Never asked to sign your name?

But I did read an article that stated that most males revert back to block printing once cursive is no longer required. According to this study, females don't.

[BillCompton]

I don't agree with you "too much time" charge. It is important what we teach kids. The author is correct in the useless activity. Perhaps this holds no interest for you, but that doesn't mean it is not worth discussing.

[sparkomatic]

Stop wasting third graders time when you could be teach more math...

Stop wasting third graders time when you could be teach the author better use of the English language.

[js1138]

What's wrong with this? I think it's quite beautiful...as long as I don't have to do it manually.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Printing is prevalent today because children are allowed to print. It's easier for poor little johnnie to print than sweat over a peice of paper trying to form a correct "r" in cursive. When I was in school, once we learned cursive, we were required to use cursive. Printing was not accepted. Period. In Math, when I was in school showing one's work was required. Now, it seems to be an option. I am the one insisting my son show his work, not his math teacher.

Perhaps instead of dropping it all together, we should go back to the mindset of "this is what we require of you, do it."

As I tell my son, if this is the worst thing you must do in your life, I want your life.

[mykdsmom]

I was thinking along the same line as you. Also why should they teach math anymore?

After all everyone has a calculator.

Give me a break.....what a moron.

MKM