Cursive writing - tomorrow's hieroglyphics

[Wall-E1]

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/na..._elementary_schools/srvc=home&position=recent

http://articles.philly.com/2011-09-19/news/30176196_1_cursive-handwriting-pen-letters

Cursive appears to be a dying writing style. I remember cursive writing being a big focus of writing in 2nd or 3rd grade when I went to school (back in the dark ages). It's kind of sad to see this form of writing slowly dying out. I guess with technology, it really isn't really needed, or used that much. There's still something nice about reading a cursive, hand written letter. It just seems more personal and thoughtful.

I just peaked around my "organized" desk, I noticed that all my "post it" notes are written in block letters. I think I really only use cursive when signing my name. Even that is sometimes in block letters if signing on a computer. I was kind of surprised to read that some kids can't even read or write in cursive. I didn't realize that it had reached that level of obscurity. I feel so old.

Is cursive really that rare in our days? Are you going to miss it? Do you agree with schools de-emphasizing the teaching of cursive writing?

 

[Jabali]

Ever since High School, all I have done is wrote in standard print. I have never once thought about cursive, and personally think its a crazy way to write. It's too difficult to read!! Even when I sign my name, you pretty much get a capital B, with a line.......haha.

 

[Wall-E1]

Ever since High School, all I have done is wrote in standard print. I have never once thought about cursive, and personally think its a crazy way to write. It's too difficult to read!! Even when I sign my name, you pretty much get a capital B, with a line.......haha.

You have a point there. Trying to read some people's cursive hand writing is like trying to decipher egyptian hieroglyphics.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I made it a point to ask my freshman dd's HS teachers if they expect cursive and they said, nope.

I also asked about the ACT, SAT, etc tests and they print is fine.

So yea, I think cursive is going away 100%.

My dd is 15 and was taught it barely in elementary school. All of a sudden they stopped teaching it.

 

[ccgirl]

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/na..._elementary_schools/srvc=home&position=recent

http://articles.philly.com/2011-09-19/news/30176196_1_cursive-handwriting-pen-letters

Cursive appears to be a dying writing style. I remember cursive writing being a big focus of writing in 2nd or 3rd grade when I went to school (back in the dark ages). It's kind of sad to see this form of writing slowly dying out. I guess with technology, it really isn't really needed, or used that much. There's still something nice about reading a cursive, hand written letter. It just seems more personal and thoughtful.

I just peaked around my "organized" desk, I noticed that all my "post it" notes are written in block letters. I think I really only use cursive when signing my name. Even that is sometimes in block letters if signing on a computer. I was kind of surprised to read that some kids can't even read or write in cursive. I didn't realize that it had reached that level of obscurity. I feel so old.

Is cursive really that rare in our days? Are you going to miss it? Do you agree with schools de-emphasizing the teaching of cursive writing?

My DD is in 3rd grade and she is learning cursive. I guess it depends on where you are??

 

[Sorsha]

My kids learn it, but sort of as a "this is a form of writing" unit. It is taught, they practice it for a few months, then it kind of just goes away and they don't have to use it again if they don't want to.

I always hated it, and once I hit high school, I never used it again.

I don't even use a true cursive signature to sign things... its more of a cursive/italics/print hybrid. I just developed it all on my own LOL.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I only use it to sign things and even then no one can really understand my signature

 

[Wall-E1]

It just seems strange to me that one day very soon, ordinary Americans may not be able to read the original Declaration of Independence or U.S. Constitution. An original Mark Twain manuscript will appear foreign. I understand that technology has made cursive writing largely obsolete, but it feels like we are losing a link to our heritage/history.

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

From the time we learned cursive in 2nd grade, we were expected to write in cursive until we graduated from the school (in 8th grade). Once we hit high school, though, the teachers actually told us they didn't want to see anything done in cursive- one teacher told us if we wrote in cursive, we would get points deducted because she couldn't read it. Now, I can barely write in cursive.

After my friends and I took the SATs in high school, we joked that the hardest part was having to write that little statement in cursive- people actually had to ask the proctor to write it in cursive on the board so they could see how to do it.

The only time I ever write in cursive anymore is when I'm signing my name.

 

[Jennasis]

Cursive was invented to make writing easier (one fluid motion instead of constantly picking your hand up off the page to write a new letter).

It makes sense that it would be phased out as a NEW form of making communication easier comes along. I'm all for it.

I wonder if cavemen were sad that someday nobody would be able to read the important things they wrote on their walls? Or if the Egyptians were sad that nobody will be able to decipher their hieroglyphics someday? Frankly I can hardly read parts of the declaration of Independence since the handwriting is kind of tricky to read.

 

[NikitaZee]

My DD is in 3rd grade and she is learning cursive. I guess it depends on where you are??

My son is in 5th grade and his class is expected to do all work in cursive. I still use it a lot - when I write a note to a teacher, my husband, etc. I hope it's not on its way out yet.

 

[Scornelius]

I do 90% of my writing in cursive. I think it's a shame proper writing isn't cared about any more. I was working in high school class and most of the kids' printing looked like it was written by monkeys on a bumpy car ride.

 

[punkin]

I hate block print and mine is barely legible. My handwriting, on the other hand, is quite lovely and easy to read. It's a shame it's no longer widely taught.

 

[Jusacuz]

My 5th grade son is learning it and I know my older 3 kids learned it, but never use it. I learned Italics in elementary school and that led to cursive in the 4th grade. I hated Italics.
I LOVE cursive and still write that way a lot. I will miss it if it goes away.

 

[AKL_Megs]

My question is, if it IS on its way out the door, how will kids of tomorrow learn how to sign their names?

I think the popularity of computers has a LOT to do with the demise of cursive.

 

[Jennasis]

Some other things I miss:

It's just such a SHAME that we as a society have forgotten how to use all of these wonderful things.

 

[amandamims]

I feel abnormal - I use cursive every day. My mom uses it everyday. One of my best friends uses it everyda. I love writing in cursive! I find it much easier and prettier.

I did have a teacher in high school, AP English, that never allowed it in her class. She would send it back as incomplete.

 

[amandamims]

Double post

 

[Sorsha]

My question is, if it IS on its way out the door, how will kids of tomorrow learn how to sign their names?

I think the popularity of computers has a LOT to do with the demise of cursive.

DD17 just prints her signature.

So do a lot of the people I see sign receipts for things at the store I work at.

 

[miralys]

I like cursive. I remember we started learning in second grade and felt so grown up. Until my penmanship was singled out for a vendetta by my teacher.

Cursive looks pretty (well, not mine! ) I don't think it harms anyone to learn cursive, even if they won't use it. That's what much of school is all about. You can learn about the world even if it doesn't all apply directly to you.

I'd like to say I use it, but I don't. My style is a sort of hybrid of cursive and print.