Community Chat

[patbz]

I graduated H.S.in 1962 in Silver Spring MD in a school with a very high national standing.  That said, I think the knowledge of World History was stinky.  Imagine a great school ( with a high percentage of Jewish Students!!) that basically didn't cover WWII or the Holocaust.  Fortunately, one of the Jewish parents did a mandatory unit in the cafeteria (outside regular classes) on Nuremburg trials (complete with disclaimer " you can leave when you can't take anymore ").  Best class I ever took (I remember it in detail to this day--I'm 75).

[RainCityWoman]

As a teacher myself, I think it's a shame that the elementary schools stopped teaching cursive or enhancing handwriting and printing in general. Can we survive without it? Yes. However, I see handwriting as a mark of personal identity. I love doing genealogical research and seeing the handwriting not only of my ancestors, but also the handwriting through the decades of history on specific forms. I think that handwriting separates us from other species and is a matter of the uniqueness of each individual. I cherish the samples I have from my dad. When I touch his signature, I feel a connection to him beyond tthe grave. I guess progress in society eliminates many positive things along with whatever enhancements we get from change. I just don't like to see all vestiges of humanity removed in favor of progress and efficiency.

[Lindsays Grandma]

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@Meowingkitty wrote:

I don’t have kids or grandkids so I don’t know what is or isn’t taught in schools anymore but I once worked with a woman who’s step daughter was about 15 and she received a watch for Christmas and did not know how to use a watch to tell time. She only knew digital. Lots of them don’t know how to make a phone call either. 

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That is scary and unbelievable.  Lindsay learned cursive in elementary school thank goodness but because she didn't use it she forgot it, so we bought a cursive book for her and within minutes she was writing like a pro.  I told her never to forget it and keep writing...in cursive.  Thank goodness the schools are bringing cursive back, by demand.

[Lindsays Grandma]

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@songbird wrote:

I can't write in cursive.  One reason is that I am left handed.  It was difficult for me to master it.  Being left handed affected the slant, etc. It ended up not being legible.  Almost immediately I switched to print.  It takes a bit longer.  But at least it was legible.  And that is the whole point in communicating on paper. My husband on the other hand always writes in cursive.  You should see our joint names written out by us.  His big beautiful cursive and  my little neat print. 

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I am aware of how being left handed makes some things more difficult.  Lindsay is left handed and thank goodness her cursive writing is beautiful.  She is very artistic, her drawings are amazing so I guess because of her artistic talent cursive came easy for her.  Your description of your and your husband's signatures made me laugh.  

[september]

I can’t say that knowing how to read or write cursive has been of value to me.  My printed and written signatures look very much alike.  

I learned to write cursive in elementary school, with nuns who placed too much pressure on us to do it perfectly.  I would have been fine without it, and I think kids today are fine without it, too.  There are other priorities.  

[YorkieonmyPillow]

I had occasion to read through a deed book in the courthouse that contained handwriting made around 1920.

My goodness, it was a work of ART. Amazing.

[sidsmom]

I’m going to make a concerted effort next couple days to see

how many times I am presented to write cursive or read cursive.

Just from my recollection for today:

Zero.

No cursive writing & no cursive reading.

And this was just a regular normal Wednesday.

It’s just not out there anymore. 

[Topaz Gem]

Our founding fathers had flawless and beautiful cursive.  Many years ago, the Declaration of Independence went on a national tour.  I still remember the feeling of awe as I viewed this document through several layers of plexiglass.  I was amazed at the cursive, and hate the fact that many young people today have lost that beautiful art.  I’m happy to read in other comments, that it is starting to make a comeback.

Another funny story...  A friend of mine works at the YMCA front desk.  Many kids ask her if they can use the phone to call their parents.  The Y has a landline which not too many kids are familiar with these days.  They look puzzled when she hands them the handset, and she actually has to instruct them on how to use it.  She tells them to punch in the phone number when they hear the dial tone and they ask, “What’s a dial tone???”  LOL.  Makes you feel old!

[Johnnyeager]

Have you ever looked at the Census forms that were filled out by hand by a Census taker who went door to door?  I have the 1940 forms from both sides of my family (as well as my current apartment building)?  Now, that was Cursive Writing!

[missy1]

Here they teach it around 2/3 grade. If you want your children to know it, the parents should do it,