Cursive hand writing

LndShrk · 08-22-2007

A group of us at my office were talking about what is taught in schools and the subject of cursive hand writing came up. It was ironic because my M-I-L, wife & I have a similar conversation not long ago.
Who really uses cursive writing any more? Why is it still taught in school? Wouldn't teachng students how to better write in a "print" method be more effective? Who uses cursive writing - other than Calligraphy ?
Any K-6 teachers out there care to chime in on this???

Ranger · 08-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by LndShrk

A group of us at my office were talking about what is taught in schools and the subject of cursive hand writing came up. It was ironic because my M-I-L, wife & I have a similar conversation not long ago.
Who really uses cursive writing any more? Why is it still taught in school? Wouldn't teachng students how to better write in a "print" method be more effective? Who uses cursive writing - other than Calligraphy ?
Any K-6 teachers out there care to chime in on this???

I'm not a teacher, but I think it is a good thing to continue to teach. I do not have very good cursive skills but can get by, I can print very well though. I actually use what someones handwriting or printing as a "profile" type thing. I think it tells you something about them. My wife and daughters have nice cursive skills, while my son's is not to good. I have people I work with that it looks like poor hyrogliphics, can't even print neatlly and can't spell. I think the more comfortable you are writing the better your spelling can be.

MWC · 08-22-2007

I don't understand it one bit, and have proudly printed since middle school, when we were finally allowed to.
Maybe there has been research into some sort of hand-mind development -- that I could see.

hrlydavison · 08-22-2007

Simply put, I think it is a leftover from our European heritage. It was a Aristocratic Romantizied technique to seperate them from commoners in letter writing. Letter writing has "gone out the window" and has been replaced by email. Most business dealings is done in print... Orders, Receipts, Invoices, and Bills Etc. (for accuracy)

Cursive is also(or should be) outdated because of the fact that it is so subjective in the style that is developed from our first lessons. Most styles... seen best through signatures...is a lazy unreadable mess.

So yes...Cursive...off with your head!!

Teachers should spend more time on proper writing techniques and spelling...lord knows I could have used more!!!

**SunKneeMarie** · 08-22-2007

I have terrible writing skills. So illegible. Even my printing isn't so great. I don't know what it is, but I feel very awkward holding a pen or pencil and my hand gets tight and cramped feeling whenever I'm using one to write with. I type everything that I'm able to type and print it out.

Learning cursive was awful for me. My writing was so bad that my 4th grade teacher gave me a D for effort and a C for achievement on my report card, just to hammer home the point hat I REALLY needed to try and write better because, as she said, "The answers are probably right, but I can't read them to figure it out."

On a report card awash with all A's, you can only imagine how I cried. And I did spend the next 6 weeks writing slowly and carefully, trying to improve my handwriting... but it didn't really work. It looked a little better, but it took me dogs' years to write a paragraph and by the time I'd finished, I'd forgotten what my idea was for the paragraph--writers have a flow, ya know!

My sister had to rewrite the list I made for the wedding ideas two weeks ago, and laughed as she did it at my "pathetic" handwriting. And Mike always has to proofread the grocery list before he walks out the door, lest he come home with only half the items on there.

So cursive seems a bit archaic to me, although I do love seeing a beautifully handwritten note from someone. Always FROM....

Sol · 08-22-2007

After high school, I began to print instead of writing in cursive. My writing was more legible; my cursive is lousy unless I take the time to draw out my letters.

lolabella · 08-22-2007

LOL! I prefer to type everything....grocery lists, letters (I know it's impersonable), directions.

I get all shaky when I'm forced to actually handwrite something (like in birthday cards) cause I feel like I'm judged on how well my writing is.

My handwriting is a cross between printing and cursive and some words are slanted more than others. GAH!!

Oh and being a part-time server for 17 years, I've mastered my own version of shorthand.

BonnyW · 08-22-2007

I write faster in cursive than I can print; although my printing is much easier to read

Most of my students use cursive or type directly on their PCs/Macs to keep up with my lectures (I talk fast

).

I prefer my students to print neatly when they take my essay exams, although some students tell me that their cursive is easier to read. I give them the choice-whichever one I will be able to read better. Some students have worse handwriting than doctors, and I tell them--if I can't read it--it won't be graded.

queencityfan · 08-22-2007

My printing is very legible and neat, my cursive is, well let's say I also had a not so good grade.

Frankly the only time I use it is for a signature.

I wish I had been taught keyboarding instead.

Banzoomba · 08-22-2007

Just as a signature

sideways · 08-22-2007

I actually catch myself doing a combo....even in the same word.

mooski · 08-22-2007

teacher here.... we teach cursive in 3rd grade....I dont know why. my daughter 18, cringes any time someone tells her she has to use a SIGNAtURE and sign some peace of paper.... I think that is the only time she uses it.

Rissask · 08-22-2007

I read something recently that said some schools were already phasing out teaching cursive.

I think there is a sentimental attachment that some people are resisitant to doing away with the teaching of it, but logically, it is not really a necessity anymore today.

sideways · 08-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

I read something recently that said some schools were already phasing out teaching cursive.

I think there is a sentimental attachment that some people are resisitant to doing away with the teaching of it, but logically, it is not really a necessity anymore today.

Guess I never really thought about it. Another casualty to the Computer worl?

BonnyW · 08-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

I read something recently that said some schools were already phasing out teaching cursive.

I think there is a sentimental attachment that some people are resistant to doing away with the teaching of it, but logically, it is not really a necessity anymore today.

Maybe we should encourage learning shorthand (or a version of similar) instead?

08-22-2007	#1 (permalink)
LndShrk beachaholic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 385	Cursive hand writing A group of us at my office were talking about what is taught in schools and the subject of cursive hand writing came up. It was ironic because my M-I-L, wife & I have a similar conversation not long ago. Who really uses cursive writing any more? Why is it still taught in school? Wouldn't teachng students how to better write in a "print" method be more effective? Who uses cursive writing - other than Calligraphy ? Any K-6 teachers out there care to chime in on this???

08-22-2007	#7 (permalink)
lolabella añejo Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: One foot in WI, the other in PDC Posts: 5,083	LOL! I prefer to type everything....grocery lists, letters (I know it's impersonable), directions. I get all shaky when I'm forced to actually handwrite something (like in birthday cards) cause I feel like I'm judged on how well my writing is. My handwriting is a cross between printing and cursive and some words are slanted more than others. GAH!! Oh and being a part-time server for 17 years, I've mastered my own version of shorthand. Last edited by lolabella; 08-22-2007 at 11:55 AM..

08-22-2007	#8 (permalink)
BonnyW añejo Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Left Coast...So Cal Posts: 9,248	I write faster in cursive than I can print; although my printing is much easier to read Most of my students use cursive or type directly on their PCs/Macs to keep up with my lectures (I talk fast). I prefer my students to print neatly when they take my essay exams, although some students tell me that their cursive is easier to read. I give them the choice-whichever one I will be able to read better. Some students have worse handwriting than doctors, and I tell them--if I can't read it--it won't be graded.

08-22-2007	#3 (permalink)
MWC añejo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 6,197	I don't understand it one bit, and have proudly printed since middle school, when we were finally allowed to. Maybe there has been research into some sort of hand-mind development -- that I could see.

08-22-2007	#4 (permalink)
hrlydavison life=playa Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Middle of a cornfield in Illinois Posts: 535	Simply put, I think it is a leftover from our European heritage. It was a Aristocratic Romantizied technique to seperate them from commoners in letter writing. Letter writing has "gone out the window" and has been replaced by email. Most business dealings is done in print... Orders, Receipts, Invoices, and Bills Etc. (for accuracy) Cursive is also(or should be) outdated because of the fact that it is so subjective in the style that is developed from our first lessons. Most styles... seen best through signatures...is a lazy unreadable mess. So yes...Cursive...off with your head!! Teachers should spend more time on proper writing techniques and spelling...lord knows I could have used more!!!

08-22-2007	#5 (permalink)
SunKneeMarie character encapsulator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 27,783	I have terrible writing skills. So illegible. Even my printing isn't so great. I don't know what it is, but I feel very awkward holding a pen or pencil and my hand gets tight and cramped feeling whenever I'm using one to write with. I type everything that I'm able to type and print it out. Learning cursive was awful for me. My writing was so bad that my 4th grade teacher gave me a D for effort and a C for achievement on my report card, just to hammer home the point hat I REALLY needed to try and write better because, as she said, "The answers are probably right, but I can't read them to figure it out." On a report card awash with all A's, you can only imagine how I cried. And I did spend the next 6 weeks writing slowly and carefully, trying to improve my handwriting... but it didn't really work. It looked a little better, but it took me dogs' years to write a paragraph and by the time I'd finished, I'd forgotten what my idea was for the paragraph--writers have a flow, ya know! My sister had to rewrite the list I made for the wedding ideas two weeks ago, and laughed as she did it at my "pathetic" handwriting. And Mike always has to proofread the grocery list before he walks out the door, lest he come home with only half the items on there. So cursive seems a bit archaic to me, although I do love seeing a beautifully handwritten note from someone. Always FROM....

08-22-2007	#6 (permalink)
Sol Chupacabras Whisperer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Gem State Posts: 10,995	After high school, I began to print instead of writing in cursive. My writing was more legible; my cursive is lousy unless I take the time to draw out my letters.

08-22-2007	#9 (permalink)
queencityfan añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,795	My printing is very legible and neat, my cursive is, well let's say I also had a not so good grade. Frankly the only time I use it is for a signature. I wish I had been taught keyboarding instead.

08-22-2007	#10 (permalink)
Banzoomba big sexy speedo guy Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Top of the Chesapeake Bay, Md Posts: 9,326	Just as a signature

08-22-2007	#11 (permalink)
sideways añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,909	I actually catch myself doing a combo....even in the same word.

08-22-2007	#12 (permalink)
mooski beachaholic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: WA Posts: 346	teacher here.... we teach cursive in 3rd grade....I dont know why. my daughter 18, cringes any time someone tells her she has to use a SIGNAtURE and sign some peace of paper.... I think that is the only time she uses it.

08-22-2007	#13 (permalink)
Rissask Brit basher Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 20,997	I read something recently that said some schools were already phasing out teaching cursive. I think there is a sentimental attachment that some people are resisitant to doing away with the teaching of it, but logically, it is not really a necessity anymore today.

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