General Discussion

Algernon Moncrieff

(5,790 posts) Sun Jun 15, 2014, 01:05 AM Jun 2014

Cursive [View all]

This is an argument, I've discovered, that transcends politics. There are two sides, and they are dug-in.

Should cursive handwriting be taught to third graders?

The pro-cursive side cites the simple expedient that it is the only way to learn to sign a document, and points to studies linking learning handwriting to bring development.

The anti-cursive side says that cursive is going extinct, ad that valuable teaching time would be better spent teaching proper keyboarding techniques.

Several people have told me that the real problem is that many schools have solved the problem by simply not teaching cursive or keyboarding.

32 votes, 1 pass \| Time left: Unlimited
	Keep cursive in schools!
	28 (88%)
	Get rid of teaching cursive, and teach keyboarding instead!
	4 (13%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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94 replies

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Highlight:

Cursive [View all] Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 OP

teach both. Tuesday Afternoon Jun 2014 #1

+1 nt steve2470 Jun 2014 #2

That plus OriginalGeek Jun 2014 #3

How many hours exist in your day MattBaggins Jun 2014 #22

cute. Please see post#3 above in this thread. Tuesday Afternoon Jun 2014 #44

It doesn't take that long to learn either of them. GoCubsGo Jun 2014 #59

Moreover, how many hours a day will that school age child be willing to learn cursive? nolabels Jun 2014 #74

The same amount of hours as when both were taught consistently? LanternWaste Jun 2014 #81

That's irrelevant. My sons in elementary school were taught cursive pnwmom Jun 2014 #94

In total agreement JustAnotherGen Jun 2014 #26

Being taught to lead a pen over paper teaches more than just writing. KitSileya Jun 2014 #4

I'm sure there is great benefit from teaching a child how to handle a team of horses Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #6

I don't think that there's any other exercise that combines muscles and mind the same way. KitSileya Jun 2014 #9

I gotta kinda disagree here Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #17

By the time they're in their 40s, keyboarding will be irrelevant. Gormy Cuss Jun 2014 #66

Plus, there's good research showing that those students SheilaT Jun 2014 #30

Printing is good enough. kentauros Jun 2014 #5

"Good enough" should not be that to which Codeine Jun 2014 #61

To me, it applies to the rest of everyday life. kentauros Jun 2014 #63

2nd graders JVS Jun 2014 #7

race to the top takes up too much classroom time, eliminating other things nt msongs Jun 2014 #8

I used to think so, but times have changed... ecstatic Jun 2014 #10

I understand your point. By why limit kids' skills? Heidi Jun 2014 #13

I say we should teach them falconry and scrimshaw. Orrex Jun 2014 #41

...and smithing. Chan790 Jun 2014 #52

Because skills-acquisition is not entirely additive. Chan790 Jun 2014 #51

Good luck, then, with a handwritten love letter or thank-you note. Heidi Jun 2014 #69

I hand-write constantly. Chan790 Jun 2014 #70

Good. Heidi Jun 2014 #72

Kids are so dumbed down these days quinnox Jun 2014 #11

I see a divide Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #19

Cursive is very outdated and should go the route of Calligraphy. dilby Jun 2014 #12

NYT: What's Lost as Handwriting Fades Heidi Jun 2014 #14

Bloomberg View: The Case Against Cursive Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #15

How many kindergarten through third-grade students are meditating, learning to use a slide rule, Heidi Jun 2014 #21

I have to ask this again MattBaggins Jun 2014 #23

What on earth are you talking about? Heidi Jun 2014 #24

thank you, Heidi Tuesday Afternoon Jun 2014 #45

They could also do pipi_k Jun 2014 #83

What the NY TIMES left out ... KateGladstone Jun 2014 #55

Yep. I can't imagine taking lecture notes with a laptop. GoCubsGo Jun 2014 #64

I can easily imagine taking notes with a keyboard. kentauros Jun 2014 #67

My handwriting sucks, too. GoCubsGo Jun 2014 #73

I touch type about 150 wpm with high accuracy. However, Heidi Jun 2014 #71

Really? TexasTowelie Jun 2014 #76

This message was self-deleted by its author Heidi Jun 2014 #77

Okay. TexasTowelie Jun 2014 #78

Not sure I have an opinion either way davidpdx Jun 2014 #16

I'd rather a child learn keyboarding than cursive Aerows Jun 2014 #18

I feel your pain. white_wolf Jun 2014 #20

I want to say to teach both and keep cursive in schools LostOne4Ever Jun 2014 #25

agreed. make time for both cursive and keyboarding Liberal_in_LA Jun 2014 #36

No morecthan 15 min a day mainstreetonce Jun 2014 #27

I still write notes in Gregg Shorthand HockeyMom Jun 2014 #28

i believe in the cruel oppression of diversified skills! NuttyFluffers Jun 2014 #29

Home Ec should be taught. It needs to be re-imagined, but it should be taught (nt) Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #43

I don't see that we need give up entirely on writing treestar Jun 2014 #31

Nobody is suggesting we stop teaching manuscript Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #37

I thought the purpose of cursive was that it was faster than printing treestar Jun 2014 #39

I am. (suggesting we end cursive-education entirely.) n/t Chan790 Jun 2014 #53

Cursive is actually a dying art. ananda Jun 2014 #32

Cursive Is An Art Form grilled onions Jun 2014 #33

When you read the Constitution, do you look for a photo in the original written form Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #40

I thought we wasted WAY TOO MUCH time practicing cursive handwriting. Quantess Jun 2014 #34

I'm still mad that we got rid of Carolingian Miniscule. Orrex Jun 2014 #35

It's interesting that someone can be "still mad that" a certain font is no longer taught..? Quantess Jun 2014 #87

It is pretty clear that the anticursive crowd are a loud minority betterdemsonly Jun 2014 #38

You are painting with a very broad brush there Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #42

I am a professor and union member and find cursive worthless. MillennialDem Jun 2014 #46

I am 33 and grew up learning cursive - I find it worthless. I type and use my computer a lot and hav MillennialDem Jun 2014 #47

No one can read anyone else's cursive anyway. Teach printing and typing NightWatcher Jun 2014 #48

"Learning" cursive was a horrible, horrible experience for me. hunter Jun 2014 #49

I've always felt that cursive should be abandoned. Chan790 Jun 2014 #50

What the promoters of cursive hope you'll never ask or learn ... KateGladstone Jun 2014 #54

I like this! hunter Jun 2014 #56

Thanks for the great information! kentauros Jun 2014 #89

Interesting! - Thanks (nt) Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #92

Thank you! Quantess Jun 2014 #93

Skip print. Start with cursive or an Italianate script. Add keyboarding. politicat Jun 2014 #57

"Italianate' and defusing objections KateGladstone Jun 2014 #75

Yes, italic script. Thanks. politicat Jun 2014 #79

Cursive? Well I know hell and damn and bi... Initech Jun 2014 #58

We just don't want to make kids do anything Codeine Jun 2014 #60

Cursive is an archaic throwback to quills and fountain pens Nevernose Jun 2014 #62

There is evidence that writing things down makes you remember them better. alarimer Jun 2014 #65

Teach cursive AND keyboarding/typing. Jamastiene Jun 2014 #68

Teach both... Proper keyboarding techniques could be learned. Xyzse Jun 2014 #80

Cursive is dying out because of brain evolution. randome Jun 2014 #82

The cursive they taught in school looks and is so terrible IronLionZion Jun 2014 #84

Engineering print is the only way to go. ileus Jun 2014 #85

Who says the keyboard is here to stay Boom Sound 416 Jun 2014 #86

Teach it as part of art in grades 1 - 3. haele Jun 2014 #88

In that case, it seems like it would be better to forego cursive kentauros Jun 2014 #90

I say keep. bigwillq Jun 2014 #91