Thread: Cursive

The way I write doesn't resemble anything I have ever been taught in school. I usually write in all caps now, because that is the most legible way I write. I did learn how to write letters in (denilian?) in first grade. It's a way to print that sets you up for writing in cursive. I wrote in cursive until the teachers got fed up with bad writing sometime before high school and then just wanted me to turn in something legible. Computers and printing were also more accessible, so a lot of stuff got printed up. It always took me longer to write in cursive. I always figured it was because there was more ground to cover with the pen because all the letters had to look and connect a certain way. If I was in a hurry, I always found myself using a hybrid system of print and cursive. For some reason it was quicker. But, my cursive looked better than my print when I took my time with it. Now, if I want something to look nice, I just type it out. That's the only way I would be able to get a neat, organized look.

Man, there are things about both analog and cursive you guys are missing.

first cursive. I write cursive, and although I'm immensely unhappy with it, I get compliments from female coworkers. I write notes (post-its) to coworkers that way, I sign cards that way and so on. my grand-mothers handwriting was beautiful. I have a recipe box full of her recipe cards I plan on using at some ponit to make a font. and to make practice sheets for my daughers when they are older.

BUT what you're all missing is, I read this a few weeks ago, they are finding that kids not taught cursive don't learn to read as easily. turns out that cursive writing teaches your brain to see the letters together, it's an important part of reading skills. Learning to write cursive makes you a better reader.

On the analog thing, it might have been my shop teacher in high school that told me this, wherever it was from....I've heard that our minds register the details faster from an analog gauge than a digital. the reason I think it was the shop teacher is they were talking about the tachometers in drag cars and saying that an analog gauge registered faster in the drivers mind than a digital. I don't know if it is true, I can see it with a tach I guess but clocks...sometimes I stll have to give an analog clock a good look to figure out where we're at (WTF is up with clocks with no numbers????) but nothing in my mind replaces analog. it just looks better.

Red

+1. It's very analogous to a graph instead of just seeing the numbers.

I must be really old, because what you guys are calling cursive, I simply call handwriting.

If they are going to scrap teaching it, couldn't they replace it with shorthand, that would be an undeniably useful alternative.

Given how important communication is in the modern world, I think it's bizarre how these skills are being treated as optional.

The film Idiocracy really doesn't seem too far-fetched when you think about it.

Man, people are going to be screwed when keyboards are replaced by handwriting recognition!

I learned cursive in the 1950s. I have a vague recollection of the process. They called it penmanship and the handwriting being legible was of premier importance. Interesting that there is a relationship between learning cursive and an improved ability at reading comprehension. I can't imagine young folks unable to read an analog clock. OTOH, if all you've seen is LED readouts then how would you know ?

If they don't teach cursive, how are people going to learn how to write? How will they take notes in class?

There's something about the physical act of writing that I think helps me remember better. I'm taking some courses now, and I see some of the kids taking notes on a 'puter. I could never do that. Writing helps create a better connection between what I write and my brain (memory).

There is also something satisfying about feeling the paper, pen, etc. Same with reading a book compared to reading on a computer. I don't know. I think I was born a few decades later than I was supposed to be.

Jordan

One reason I learned to use straight razors was to maintain a steady hand and keep focused on a specific task. Cursive writing does nearly the same for me. I have actually improved my writing since I started using a straight razor. Our very best welder at work wrote in the most legible manner I have ever seen. He told me that good cursive skills enhanced his welding ability. It really worked for him.

Recently I was going through some old postcards and letters from my late mother's home. I am ashamed to admit that I never wrote home more that I did when I was on active duty in the '60s. I really regret that. My handwriting from 40 years ago was terrible. I blame that on lack of sleep, fear, and malcontentment. We were not allowed to keep diaries nor journals. I just extended that policy to writing home. What a great time that would have been to improve cursive writing skills and keep in touch with loved ones. Regrets, regrets.

I feel a letter to my cousins coming on. This is a good thread. Do put pen to paper and send something to someone. Why not write to a politician or two (if you have enough paper)! Yours truly, Robert

Originally Posted by Big Red

BUT what you're all missing is, I read this a few weeks ago, they are finding that kids not taught cursive don't learn to read as easily. turns out that cursive writing teaches your brain to see the letters together, it's an important part of reading skills.

That's a good reason to keep it then.

Originally Posted by Big Red

On the analog thing, it might have been my shop teacher in high school that told me this, wherever it was from....I've heard that our minds register the details faster from an analog gauge than a digital. the reason I think it was the shop teacher is they were talking about the tachometers in drag cars and saying that an analog gauge registered faster in the drivers mind than a digital. I don't know if it is true, I can see it with a tach I guess but clocks...sometimes I stll have to give an analog clock a good look to figure out where we're at (WTF is up with clocks with no numbers????) but nothing in my mind replaces analog. it just looks better.

Yes analog gauges are faster to read the necessary information out of. Basically the position of the needle represents directly the quantity that is being measured and you can make an extremely fast comparison. And the point of reading it in the first place is to make comparison and decide on an action.
If you would read a number your brain will have to do an extra step since a number is abstraction and you'll have to make any comparison in an abstract space.
This is a lot more important for gauges since they can convey critical and life threatening information, so even parts of a second in faster decision making can be important.

Would we have our kids always appear in public looking like total scrubs? Well, maybe we would or maybe we have no choice sometimes. Still, our penmanship represents our character to others. If it looks like crap, so do we. Our parents and grandparents understood this well; that's why most of them had such a beautiful hand. Like anything worth keeping, good penmanship takes practice, determination and dedication to acquire.

The problem with our schools and with these kind of policies is one of focus. It's more important for the schools to get good marks in their assessments than it is for the students to be given a high quality education that prepares them for life (and teaches them why it's important to not look like crap when they represent themselves to others). Change the focus, change the results...

There are ways to encourage kids to develop good penmanship. Probably the best way is by example. What percentage of elementary teachers in our education system are in their early 20's? I'll wager that many (most) of them have poor cursive handwriting skills themselves. You can't teach someone else how to do something if you don't know it for yourself. So, given that many elementary teachers have poor penmanship, I say the answer is to bring in outside help. Calligraphers are incredibly inspirational to those learning how to form their letters and words. They inspire students and teachers alike. Our schools should require our teachers take handwriting repair coursework, so they can learn what they should be teaching.

Don't get me started on math and science...


Cheers,
Tom

Originally Posted by TomPike

Would we have our kids always appear in public looking like total scrubs? Well, maybe we would or maybe we have no choice sometimes. Still, our penmanship represents our character to others. If it looks like crap, so do we. Our parents and grandparents understood this well; that's why most of them had such a beautiful hand. Like anything worth keeping, good penmanship takes practice, determination and dedication to acquire.

The problem with our schools and with these kind of policies is one of focus. It's more important for the schools to get good marks in their assessments than it is for the students to be given a high quality education that prepares them for life (and teaches them why it's important to not look like crap when they represent themselves to others). Change the focus, change the results...

There are ways to encourage kids to develop good penmanship. Probably the best way is by example. What percentage of elementary teachers in our education system are in their early 20's? I'll wager that many (most) of them have poor cursive handwriting skills themselves. You can't teach someone else how to do something if you don't know it for yourself. So, given that many elementary teachers have poor penmanship, I say the answer is to bring in outside help. Calligraphers are incredibly inspirational to those learning how to form their letters and words. They inspire students and teachers alike. Our schools should require our teachers take handwriting repair coursework, so they can learn what they should be teaching.

Don't get me started on math and science...


Cheers,
Tom

I am 44 and my penmanship sucks, not because it wasn't taught but because I avoided writing every chance I got! So, I guess I look like crap! Jimbo and gugi know my penmanship skills they'll vouch for how terrible it is!

I do agree With your post 100%! The hard time a gave you was on the house!