I disagree with with the idea that teaching cursive is not worth the effort and shocked a teacher would say that. Learning cursive is a process of learning that goes way beyond making marks on a piece on a piece of paper.

Posted by: Afranius

February 5, 2012 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I don't think I've written anything in cursive since the 5th grade. However, I still think it is a worthwhile skill to learn, and will teach it to my children myself if the school system doesn't.

Posted by: nwlocal

February 5, 2012 at 5:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

if you don't learn to write it will you be able to read it?? I guess the computer key boards will do all the writing in the future and ink pens and pencils will go away. I would like to ask the teacher why cursive is not important to learn and what about Math. They have computers and calculators to do all this so called learning. When I went to school if you had a calculator in class you were cheating and in big trouble. Now kids are going to school to become ignorant of the basic knowledge of writing and penmanship and god only know what else. If you can read this thank a teacher and if it was in cursive and you can't read it now you can thank a teacher for not teaching cursive.

Posted by: oldrustynut

February 6, 2012 at 4:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Exactly why this country is getting technologically deficient ; we are letting the super smart PHDs run our education system.
By the way PHD means " Piled Higher& Deeper"
We need common sense, not over educated idiots running our schools, keep the 3 Rs intact.

Posted by: boark

February 6, 2012 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I find this trend appalling! Knowing how to read and write well, even without benefit of electricity, is a basic skill of civilization. I don't recall learning to write taking a very big percent of my time in school. When I see an adult with really deplorable, childish handwriting, I tend to think they aren't very intelligent.

Posted by: inquire

February 6, 2012 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Here is just a couple of links to show the benefits of handwriting - namely brain development and the aide in learning how to read.

http://www.helium.com/items/1697736-c...

http://www.home-school.com/Articles/t...

Technology is important, but we still need to understand and work thru the basics before we can move forward.

Posted by: Rascal01

February 6, 2012 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Traditional methods of using paper and pencil to teach children the sound/symbol relationships of English develop more than the ability to produce loops and dots. Children who must learn to hold a pencil and form letters in sequence learn to pay attention to details--an invaluable tool for all further learning and one that many of our young people lack.They learn to measure their own progress as they see their efforts improve. They learn to take pride in the work of their hands. It is all very well to envision a future in which everyone has a computer terminal, but an alternate scenario is a world in which computer access is limited to a privileged few, or in which the resources to make computers have been exhausted. During grades K-4 children are best served by learning skills of literacy that will benefit them all their lives--no matter what the future holds.

Posted by: MaeveMaddox

February 9, 2012 at 7:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MaeveMaddox--

Excellent post.

Posted by: AlphaCat

February 10, 2012 at 1:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

One "advantage" of overuse of technology is that we now have a generation of people who only write in abbreviations-with their thumbs, yet-and are forgetting how to properly spell real words, use correct punctuation, and politely concentrate on the people they are with, rather than others who aren't there.

It doesn't concern me in the least if you think I am an old timer. I am almost sixty years old and proud to still be here. A lifetime of reading, writing, and experience have given me perspective. Reading. writing, and basic math are absolutely the building blocks of education. Everything else than can be added is wonderful, but everyone needs to know those, and know how to accomplish them without electricity or gadgets. You have to have a foundation to build a house, OR educate civilized person.

Posted by: inquire

February 10, 2012 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I'm just glad I won't be around when the current generation of school children are running the world. Enough said.

Posted by: getreal1963

February 12, 2012 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )