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Topic:  Cursive

Topic:  Cursive
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rpbobcat
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Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
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  Message Not Read  Cursive
   Posted: 2/23/2017 10:07:51 AM 
There's an article in The Post about Ohio wanting to pass a law requiring "Cursive" handwriting be taught in schools.

This has been a real hot button topic here in New Jersey.

The attitude in a lot of school districts is that kids do everything on keyboards so why bother teaching "cursive".
Other schools,especially in more suburban areas still teach it.

Most of the parents still want it taught.

I know at FDU the quality of handwriting,including calculations, from the majority of students is disgraceful.

Just wondered what the people on here think.
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Deciduous Forest Cat
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Location: Ohio
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/23/2017 1:21:37 PM 
I want my kids to write because someday we're going to run out of coal to burn and they will be one of the few humans still able to communicate without electricity. Also, handwriting is a fine motor skill, like tying your shoes, which should be taught for physical development if no other reason.
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rpbobcat
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/23/2017 3:41:16 PM 
A friend of mine is a teacher.
He was talking about the value of teaching "cursive".

One thing he said that surprised me was that kids who can't write "cursive" have trouble reading it.

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Mike Johnson
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/23/2017 3:48:16 PM 
Also read results of a study that showed that kids who learn cursive tend to be more analytical thinkers and have better retention.


http://www.facebook.com/mikejohnson.author

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Monroe Slavin
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Location: Oxnard, CA
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/23/2017 11:04:20 PM 
Why would this not be taught in school?

On a micro level, it's got to help people learn the alphabet.


More intuitively, I agree that pen or pencil to paper seems to make one organize one's thoughts better. One learns more than just to write words.



I went to school in Shaker Heights. The public schools were terrific. The most enduring and useful skill I learned was how to write well, not in the handwriting sense but in the sense of being able to compose, of being able to logically organize and present my thoughts.

As a CPA, being able to write well is absolutely the key factor. Lots of people have technical skill. Not so many can communicate to explain the numbers and what they mean.

I'll bet that the ability to communicate is a top skill in the line of work of everyone who posts on this website.




Last Edited: 2/23/2017 11:07:57 PM by Monroe Slavin


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Alan Swank
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/24/2017 8:44:55 AM 
Monroe Slavin wrote:
Why would this not be taught in school?

On a micro level, it's got to help people learn the alphabet.


More intuitively, I agree that pen or pencil to paper seems to make one organize one's thoughts better. One learns more than just to write words.



I went to school in Shaker Heights. The public schools were terrific. The most enduring and useful skill I learned was how to write well, not in the handwriting sense but in the sense of being able to compose, of being able to logically organize and present my thoughts.

As a CPA, being able to write well is absolutely the key factor. Lots of people have technical skill. Not so many can communicate to explain the numbers and what they mean.

I'll bet that the ability to communicate is a top skill in the line of work of everyone who posts on this website.






It is and has been number one in every job I've had since graduation.
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UpSan Bobcat
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Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/24/2017 12:45:38 PM 
Most people are going to say that of course cursive should be taught because they learned it, and that's how it should be.

When I really think about it, I can't see why cursive writing should be sucha priority. The only time I ever write in cursive is to sign my name. I'd really have to think about it to write anything else in cursive. I rarely read cursive because very few people write it anymore. All formal documents have to be in print, and of course, most things are typed. The only reason I've heard to teach it is so people can read historic documents. Is there any other reason?

I certainly agree with others that learning how to express thoughts and ideas in writing is something students need to do a lot better today. My wife teaches college English, largely to non-native speakers of English, but also to Americans at times. It blows me away how terrible college students are at writing. Sometimes it can be hard to differentiate the papers of the American students and the foreign students. Maybe time would be better spent teaching students how to articulate their thoughts in writing? I just don't see why cursive writing should be a priority.
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rpbobcat
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/24/2017 12:52:12 PM 
UpSan Bobcat wrote:
Most people are going to say that of course cursive should be taught because they learned it, and that's how it should be.

When I really think about it, I can't see why cursive writing should be sucha priority. The only time I ever write in cursive is to sign my name. I'd really have to think about it to write anything else in cursive. I rarely read cursive because very few people write it anymore. All formal documents have to be in print, and of course, most things are typed. The only reason I've heard to teach it is so people can read historic documents. Is there any other reason?

I certainly agree with others that learning how to express thoughts and ideas in writing is something students need to do a lot better today. My wife teaches college English, largely to non-native speakers of English, but also to Americans at times. It blows me away how terrible college students are at writing. Sometimes it can be hard to differentiate the papers of the American students and the foreign students. Maybe time would be better spent teaching students how to articulate their thoughts in writing? I just don't see why cursive writing should be a priority.


As you said,you need to able to write cursive to be able to sign your name.

Beyond that it helps to develop motor skills and requires a deliberative thought process.





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MedinaCat
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Location: Lakewood, OH
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/24/2017 3:36:15 PM 
rpbobcat wrote:

As you said,you need to able to write cursive to be able to sign your name.

Beyond that it helps to develop motor skills and requires a deliberative thought process.



Is there a sizable leap in these skills by learning cursive vs. learning to print? As I recall, we were taught to print then transitioned to cursive. Is the additional time learning cursive significant? Anyone have factual insight?
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OhioCatFan
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Location: Athens, OH
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/24/2017 5:17:22 PM 
MedinaCat wrote:
rpbobcat wrote:

As you said,you need to able to write cursive to be able to sign your name.

Beyond that it helps to develop motor skills and requires a deliberative thought process.



Is there a sizable leap in these skills by learning cursive vs. learning to print? As I recall, we were taught to print then transitioned to cursive. Is the additional time learning cursive significant? Anyone have factual insight?


You can write faster with cursive than with printing and it is, therefore, much better for taken lecture notes in college and in business meeting situations. Of course, shorthand is even faster, but that's a different issue altogether. And, further, I don't think that recording a professor's lecture on your smartphone is nearly as good for study purposes as a good set of notes.


The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

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Monroe Slavin
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/25/2017 3:59:35 AM 
Agree with OCF.

As usual!



Where's the band?!
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Mike Johnson
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Location: North Canton, OH
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/25/2017 8:22:28 AM 
It was back in 2003 that I began writing my first book. I did what I'd done in my corporate career - sat in front of my computer and began tapping the keyboard. Within 10 or so minutes, I realized that I wasn't getting the connection that I wanted between my thoughts and words appearing on the screen.

So, as an experiment, I picked up a legal pad and began writing - that is, pushing a pen and writing in cursive. Again, within 10 minutes or so, I realized clearly that I was getting a much stronger connection between thoughts and cursively written words on paper.

From that moment on, I've written first drafts of my books in longhand.

Interestingly, in meetings with writers, I've learned that a surprising number of authors also apply pen to paper.

Also interestingly, after completing a longhand first draft, I then enter the manuscript into my computer. And with that done, I have no difficulty editing or rewriting on the computer.


http://www.facebook.com/mikejohnson.author

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Alan Swank
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Location: Athens, OH
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/25/2017 9:23:59 AM 
Mike Johnson wrote:
It was back in 2003 that I began writing my first book. I did what I'd done in my corporate career - sat in front of my computer and began tapping the keyboard. Within 10 or so minutes, I realized that I wasn't getting the connection that I wanted between my thoughts and words appearing on the screen.

So, as an experiment, I picked up a legal pad and began writing - that is, pushing a pen and writing in cursive. Again, within 10 minutes or so, I realized clearly that I was getting a much stronger connection between thoughts and cursively written words on paper.

From that moment on, I've written first drafts of my books in longhand.

Interestingly, in meetings with writers, I've learned that a surprising number of authors also apply pen to paper.

Also interestingly, after completing a longhand first draft, I then enter the manuscript into my computer. And with that done, I have no difficulty editing or rewriting on the computer.



Although I haven't written any books, I did write an occasional board of contributors piece for the Messenger some time ago. Like Mike, I too did a much better job with pen and paper than I did with a keyboard.

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Monroe Slavin
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Location: Oxnard, CA
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/25/2017 4:36:09 PM 
Maybe my great posts would be more appreciated if I posted in cursive?


Where's the band?!
WHERE"S THE BAND?!


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The Pets On The Go Collection of pet gear travel bags
The Holiday Tote Bigg Bagg Collection--over-sized, reversible, extra pockets; now love carrying packages as much as you love shopping!

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Alan Swank
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Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,007

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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/25/2017 6:52:45 PM 
Monroe Slavin wrote:
Maybe my great posts would be more appreciated if I posted in cursive?


Funniest post of the year, so far. :)
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ts1227
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Member Since: 2/28/2006
Location: Tallmadge, OH
Post Count: 853

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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/26/2017 12:56:19 AM 
UpSan Bobcat wrote:
Most people are going to say that of course cursive should be taught because they learned it, and that's how it should be.

When I really think about it, I can't see why cursive writing should be sucha priority. The only time I ever write in cursive is to sign my name. I'd really have to think about it to write anything else in cursive. I rarely read cursive because very few people write it anymore. All formal documents have to be in print, and of course, most things are typed. The only reason I've heard to teach it is so people can read historic documents. Is there any other reason?

I certainly agree with others that learning how to express thoughts and ideas in writing is something students need to do a lot better today. My wife teaches college English, largely to non-native speakers of English, but also to Americans at times. It blows me away how terrible college students are at writing. Sometimes it can be hard to differentiate the papers of the American students and the foreign students. Maybe time would be better spent teaching students how to articulate their thoughts in writing? I just don't see why cursive writing should be a priority.


I'm a 2004 high school graduate, so when I was going through school I believe it was still mandatory (I don't know when they made it optional, either way, I learned it). By the time I got to Athens I had largely forgotten it all, because I don't think I ever had an assignment that required it after Junior High school. When I took the GRE you have to complete a signed statement, and it took me FOREVER. If you'd have looked at it and nothing else you'd have assumed I bombed the test. I'm honestly surprised my votes count, because I can't come remotely close to creating my 18 year old signature when I sign the poll book.

To be clear, when I say "forgotten", it's not that I don't know how to form the letters, I just have to think about it and go very slowly to do it. If I sign something it looks like a doctor signature. There's no in between, it's 4th grader or doctor when I use it.

All through school and at work meetings I've printed my notes. Largely chicken scratch, but I was able to read it to study, or to type it up in meeting minutes or a follow up email for work.
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Monroe Slavin
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/26/2017 12:51:38 PM 
I wonder how romantic mates feel about a handwritten note vs one done on a computer or a purchased card?

Passing a note to someone for romantic or business or fun or other reason would seem to require some facility with cursive. Anyone who doesn't appreciate that, occasionally, passing a note spices life is missing some of the fun.







Where's the band?!
WHERE"S THE BAND?!


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The Pets On The Go Collection of pet gear travel bags
The Holiday Tote Bigg Bagg Collection--over-sized, reversible, extra pockets; now love carrying packages as much as you love shopping!

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rpbobcat
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/26/2017 6:19:44 PM 
Monroe Slavin wrote:
I wonder how romantic mates feel about a handwritten note vs one done on a computer or a purchased card?

Passing a note to someone for romantic or business or fun or other reason would seem to require some facility with cursive. Anyone who doesn't appreciate that, occasionally, passing a note spices life is missing some of the fun.



I think most "young people" today get by with texting and "sexting".


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RSBobcat
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/26/2017 11:07:51 PM 
rpbobcat wrote:


As you said,you need to able to write cursive to be able to sign your name.



I musta missed knowing about that law.....

I just scribble a line on all the card machine windows - it always goes through....


RS Bobcat

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Jeff McKinney
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/27/2017 12:18:06 AM 
Cursive is definitely better for notetaking, especially when combined with symbols.
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Monroe Slavin
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/27/2017 12:59:39 AM 
rpbobcat wrote:
Monroe Slavin wrote:
I wonder how romantic mates feel about a handwritten note vs one done on a computer or a purchased card?

Passing a note to someone for romantic or business or fun or other reason would seem to require some facility with cursive. Anyone who doesn't appreciate that, occasionally, passing a note spices life is missing some of the fun.



I think most "young people" today get by with texting and "sexting".





Certainly those means are used a lot. But there's very little romance to that.

Wanna stand out? Hand write it.


What are the arguments for not teaching handwriting?



Where's the band?!
WHERE"S THE BAND?!


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The Pets On The Go Collection of pet gear travel bags
The Holiday Tote Bigg Bagg Collection--over-sized, reversible, extra pockets; now love carrying packages as much as you love shopping!

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rpbobcat
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/27/2017 9:12:21 AM 
Monroe Slavin wrote:


What are the arguments for not teaching handwriting?



A number of teachers and administrators around here felt that, with computers,writing would be done on a keyboard.

They felt teaching cursive was a waste of their time.

For a number of the reasons posted here,including signing your name and the ability to read "script",most school districts in this area recognize the importance of cursive and still teach it.



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bornacatfan
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  Message Not Read  RE: Cursive
   Posted: 2/27/2017 10:15:19 AM 
I found out that my nephew had been getting handwritten notes from my mother but had never read them because they do not teach cursive in GA. My mother asked him about it and he had been indoctrinated by their teachers teachers and stated "my teachers told us many times that we would never need cursive so there was no need to learn it" steadfastly maintaining his story. She bought him a copy of the Bill of Right and the Declaration to show him that it may be a good skill to have.

Fast forward to last year. I had a promising young athlete that I dug out a T Shirt from the 70s hoping to motivate him in an area that none of my kids pursued. I wrote him a note explaining the significance of the Shirt and the history. I told what I saw in him and his potential.....he took the note on the campus of DePauw....standing by the Bus and the Track he opened the card after gushing about the shirt and started to read it. He asked if I minded if his parents read it...i said "no there is nothing there I am not proud of" and he answered after a big pregnant pause...."I just can't read cursive" at which point I remembered he was from Georgia

My second son is an artist graduated from Herron Art who took a very strong stance on this talking about studies showing certain parts of the brain related to creativity and art never develope without cursive as part of the curriculum. He strongly supports keeping it as part of the learning process despite being born in the 90s as he has done extensive reading in his art forums on developement of artistic talent and creative thought related to the learning of longhand writing

MedinaCat wrote:
rpbobcat wrote:


Beyond that it helps to develop motor skills and requires a deliberative thought process.



Is there a sizable leap in these skills by learning cursive vs. learning to print? As I recall, we were taught to print then transitioned to cursive. Is the additional time learning cursive significant? Anyone have factual insight?

Last Edited: 2/27/2017 10:33:38 AM by bornacatfan


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