can't read or write cursive - Page 19

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
@patbz wrote:
My son, who is thirty, did learn cursive but never learned to address an envelope while in school! I didn't figure this out until he was 19 and DH and I were on vacation in a neighboring state. We needed him to pop something in an envelope and send it to us. Imagine our surprise! He had graduated from H.S. by that time (and sent out handwritten thank you notes-- I speeded up process by addressing envelopes....). I could explain over phone what he needed to do; but boy, was I chagrined!! DH and I both learned that skill in 7th grade Gym class.
@patbz. I’m 71 and I never learned to address an envelope in school either.

I learned that in the fourth grade. Along with how to properly introduce someone. I am old.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Nonametoday wrote:
@LTT1 wrote:
@Nonametoday

Here in Texas, the students have many courses (required) in history starting with US History in junior high and W GEO (f); W HISTORY (s); US HISTORY (j) then GOVT (sr).
They are tested with a yearly state assessment on every one of these courses.
@LTT1 That is good to know. Not the same where we live. The world --- it is a' changin'.

What I don't understand is why parents and grandparents don't demand that kids be taught history and other things that are so important?

Why are people allowing children to be ignorant and schools screaming about lack of funds at the same time? You don't have to have much to teach in real terms. We know how important it is for people to know and understand history? How come it goes away without a squeek from the public?

proudlyfromNJ · ‎05-01-2010

@Sooner wrote:
@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
@patbz wrote:
My son, who is thirty, did learn cursive but never learned to address an envelope while in school! I didn't figure this out until he was 19 and DH and I were on vacation in a neighboring state. We needed him to pop something in an envelope and send it to us. Imagine our surprise! He had graduated from H.S. by that time (and sent out handwritten thank you notes-- I speeded up process by addressing envelopes....). I could explain over phone what he needed to do; but boy, was I chagrined!! DH and I both learned that skill in 7th grade Gym class.
@patbz. I’m 71 and I never learned to address an envelope in school either.
I learned that in the fourth grade. Along with how to properly introduce someone. I am old.

@Sooner. Don’t remember ever learning how to introduce someone in school either. All I remember is reading,writing and arithmetic. LOL

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@proudlyfromNJ. LOL!!! Well, I remember it because we had to introduce one another to someone older, someone our age, and to use Mr. and Mrs. and Miss. AND we were supposed to introduce someone outside class.

My aunt and I met MY TEACHER after school that day at the grocery store and I made a horrible mess of it and I remember how hard we all laughed.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@jonbon wrote:
@LTT1 wrote:
@Nonametoday

Here in Texas, the students have many courses (required) in history starting with US History in junior high and W GEO (f); W HISTORY (s); US HISTORY (j) then GOVT (sr).
They are tested with a yearly state assessment on every one of these courses.
Yes -- high school graduation requirements for both of my kids have included four years of social studies (including geography, US history, world history, government, and economics), as well as four years of English, (at least) three years of math, (at least) three years of science, and three years of PE. There are also requirements for other areas, including technology and visual/performing arts. I don't even know of any districts around here that don't have similar requirements.

Why so late? I had history beginning in the third grade all the way through HS. I remember that my own children also had history in elementary school.

I had geography too. Unfortunately American adults as well as children are so very far behind in these two subjects compared to Asian and European countries.

Social studies is a little bit of this and a little bit of that and a whole lot of nothing. It just touches the surface of many subjects and nothing is taught in great depth.

jonbon · ‎03-09-2010

@Carmie wrote:
@jonbon wrote:
@LTT1 wrote:
@Nonametoday

Here in Texas, the students have many courses (required) in history starting with US History in junior high and W GEO (f); W HISTORY (s); US HISTORY (j) then GOVT (sr).
They are tested with a yearly state assessment on every one of these courses.
Yes -- high school graduation requirements for both of my kids have included four years of social studies (including geography, US history, world history, government, and economics), as well as four years of English, (at least) three years of math, (at least) three years of science, and three years of PE. There are also requirements for other areas, including technology and visual/performing arts. I don't even know of any districts around here that don't have similar requirements.
Why so late? I had history beginning in the third grade all the way through HS. I remember that my own children also had history in elementary school.

I had geography too. Unfortunately American adults as well as children are so very far behind in these two subjects compared to Asian and European countries.

Social studies is a little bit of this and a little bit of that and a whole lot of nothing. It just touches the surface of many subjects and nothing is taught in great depth.

I think you've misunderstood. These are simply the courses required in high school for high school graduation. Of course they have math, reading/language arts/English, history/social studies, and science starting in elementary school. Also, I was simply using the term "social studies" as a collective for the high school classes mentioned -- they are year-long courses on the specified topics (several of which are also offered in dual enrollment (with a local community college) or advanced placement versions).

jonbon · ‎03-09-2010

My daughter (21) learned cursive in elementary school and really only uses it for her signature. She could probably still read it with a bit of effort. My son (17) had enough problems printing (still holds the pencil oddly), and by the time he got to 4/5 (their elementary school had multi-age classrooms) cursive was no longer a priority. He doesn't know how to do it at all and most likely can't read it either. His "signature" is done with printing, and it has never been a problem (endorsing a check, etc.) -- it is still unique to him.

As an aside, my mom was an elementary school teacher for 30'ish years, and her handwriting (the letter formation) looked just like the cursive she taught to the kids for all that time. She now has dementia, and I have to say that it's a little heartbreaking to see how her once-precise handwriting has become so shaky and uneven.

Shawnie · ‎03-10-2010

i work with some teens and twenty somethings. A card was sent to a client, addressed by one of these kids. It was returned by the post office. No wonder, it was a fricking mess. If they can’t write nicely, either in cursive or printing then in this case they should make a label, or ask me to do it!

Shawnie · ‎03-10-2010

@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
@patbz wrote:
My son, who is thirty, did learn cursive but never learned to address an envelope while in school! I didn't figure this out until he was 19 and DH and I were on vacation in a neighboring state. We needed him to pop something in an envelope and send it to us. Imagine our surprise! He had graduated from H.S. by that time (and sent out handwritten thank you notes-- I speeded up process by addressing envelopes....). I could explain over phone what he needed to do; but boy, was I chagrined!! DH and I both learned that skill in 7th grade Gym class.
@patbz. I’m 71 and I never learned to address an envelope in school either.
I learned that in the fourth grade. Along with how to properly introduce someone. I am old.
@Sooner. Don’t remember ever learning how to introduce someone in school either. All I remember is reading,writing and arithmetic. LOL

I learned how to introduce as well. Not sure if it was school though. In the fifth grade i went to a charm school.

Lindsays Grandma · ‎03-10-2010

@Topaz Gem wrote:
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!

No one can ever make me give up my landline phone!!! Yes, I do have a cell phone but only to be used when I am not at home. I can't imagine what the world will be like when I am gone and to be honest it scares me to think about it.

The moving finger writes; And having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line Nor all your Tears Wash out a Word of it. Omar Khayam