Community Chat

[Venezia]

I haven't read through all the replies to this thread so forgive me, if someone else has already mentioned this, but just last week the Ohio legislature passed a law requiring cursive to be taught in all their schools.

It seems it's finally gotten through to some that this is a skill that should be learned.  Despite technology, there are always going to be instances where you need to be able to read it.  It's not a foreign language, after all.

This topic also reminded me of something that happened two weeks ago at my local post office.  The lady in front of me asked about the Elvis stamps (sold on a sheet of 16 instead of a book of 20).  So she asked how much that would be.

I waited for the clerk to tell her...and the clerk hemmed and hawwed...paused...thought about it.  Finally, she said "I think it's something like $9.00."

At which point I interrupted and said "It's $8.00!  16 times 50 is $8.00."  The clerk looked up and said "Oh good, I knew someone would know."  Words fail me.

[Ms tyrion2]

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@hsawaknow wrote:

I have a friend who believes in conspiracies. He believes they no longer teach children to read and write cursive has to do with the declaration of independence and other formal documents that were written in cursive. As the generations die out, the children born in late 90's and forward will not know what they say, making them obsolete.

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Oh brother.

Does this friend not realize that there are print versions of these documents?   What does he think the percentage of people now who have actually read those documents in their original form is?  Does he think they won't be taught in school?

SMH . 

[YorkieonmyPillow]

Homeschooling is definitely the way of the future, if you want your kids to actually know anything.

[Carmie]

Not teaching cursive writing is not new.  It has been this way for years.

In the school where I volunteer, the fourth grade teacher was required to tech cursive to the class so that they could write their signature.  She didn't know how to write cursive either. She is in her late 20's.

I couldn't not believe what she was teaching.  Her own cursive writing was printing with a fancy flair.

In our new world of technology, students don't really write much on paper anymore.  Most lessons are done on a tablet or PC.  Their printing leaves a whole lot to be desired too.  It Is sloppy and not very legible.

When I was in school. If I printed that bad, the teacher would not accept the paper and I would have to do it over.

Times have changed.  Kids now learn how to type at an early age.

[kitcat51]

My grandchildren can read & write cursive but they didn't learn it in school, they learned it at home with workbooks & family....many of my grandchildren friends feel cheated that they didn't learn too. Everyone should be able to write cursive & do simple math in their head...it's appalling these skills are no longer considered important.

[homedecor1]

@jeanlake

🧐🤨 terrible.

My younger son still gets made when i tell him to be neater! he says i'm to picky🧐.

I worked in a jail -- employees of all age groups.  Part of my responsibility was to prepare dockets and info for courts via videoconferencing.  Sometimes I had to chase down the Sr officer to read me what his report & inmate charges were🙄.  Ridiculous these officers are well educated just lazy!!!!

[KLm]

Many years ago, I was in second grade in Cincinnati. I wanted desperately to write cursive. My teacher told me, "No, you write cursive in third grade." I wrote a paper in cursive anyway, and she gave me an F because I didn't print it. I haven't thought of this in years, but reading this thread brought it back. Long ago, but I still remember that F. 

[Mersha]

My granddaughter, in middle school, wants to be President of the US one day so is learning cursive on her own so that she can read the Constitution and be able to sign documents.

We are making sure she has a handle on civics and geography, which are not taught much these days either.

[janeec]

I have read many times, "If you can read this, thank a teacher."  Teachers wil fight for what they want.  They should think of necessary lessons in the classroom, such as cursive writing.  Many schools took it out of the curriculum, but some are re-instating it.

This is a generation that likes to use emojis.  Some write in full sentences with them.  I feel that is similar to hieroglyphics.  The basics are the foundation of education, and we need to go back to it.

[GraceLady]

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@janeec wrote:

I have read many times, "If you can read this, thank a teacher."  Teachers wil fight for what they want.  They should think of necessary lessons in the classroom, such as cursive writing.  Many schools took it out of the curriculum, but some are re-instating it.

This is a generation that likes to use emojis.  Some write in full sentences with them.  I feel that is similar to hieroglyphics.  The basics are the foundation of education, and we need to go back to it.

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Saying there is no need for cursive because they will rarely use it is like saying there is no need to learn a foreign language because they will rarely use it.  Nonsense.  You can't use what you don't know.  It should be reintroduced into the curriculum and the students should use it daily.  Practice makes perfect.

You make an excellent point about the texting and emojis.  We have an entire generation of kids that abbreviate their words, rely on spell check in their texts, and use emojis in place of words.  Punctuation is an afterthought.  My kids, nieces and nephews all know that I do not accept texts like that.  I expect full words, correctly spelled, and correct punctuation.  Luckily, I have no problem getting adult quality communication from them.  My sisters demand the same from our kids as well.  Kids are so smart.  They will perform if you ask them to.