Post by title1parent on Aug 31, 2009 5:09:19 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/schools/1736464,6_5_NA27_CURSIVE_S1-090827.article
Cursive taught, but rarely used
August 27, 2009
By JANE DONAHUE For The Sun
Parents who see their child's handwriting may wonder if cursive is becoming a thing of the past.
While both Naperville public school districts introduce cursive to students in the second grade and reinforce it through fifth grade, many students leave the writing technique behind in favor of technology.
Debra Crooks, who has been a teacher for 25 years, said her students are usually "very anxious to learn cursive" when she begins instruction in second grade.
"Since we are introducing cursive, we go through the entire alphabet," said Crooks, a second-grade teacher at V. Blanche Graham Elementary School since 1996. "We want them to know how to read and write in cursive, but we do not force them to write in cursive -- we never have."
Crooks recalled how when she was a student, cursive expectations were different "and teachers required us to have perfect penmanship."
Students were told using cursive was faster than printing, but that's not necessarily true for today's learners.
Graham's principal, Joan Peterson, said when it comes to writing, her teachers work to help students achieve the balance between forming letters and word choice.
"For some students, cursive is a more fluid movement for writing," said Peterson. "For others, printing is preferable. While both are taught, we encourage students to enhance their writing skills while still practicing a legible way to communicate with others."
Once students leave elementary school, there is no formal cursive instruction. Given the option, most students choose the computer as a means to communicate.
Brian Buss, who teaches English and reading at Clifford Crone Middle School, said he sees students opt for technology instead of using cursive.
"Teachers continue teaching the skill (cursive), but soon after the students learn it, they stop practicing," said Buss. "What can I say -- we live in an electronic age. I too send more e-mails than I handwrite notes."
Teacher Susan Smith shares the sentiment.
"Although my book report requirements do allow for handwritten reports, that option has not been used by our gifted students for several years," said Smith, who teaches Project Arrow English and literature at Crone. "With the availability of computers within their homes, our gifted students tend to prefer the computer over handwriting."
Neuqua Valley High School junior Tricia Bannister said besides signing her name, she probably hasn't used cursive since the sixth grade.
"My assignments are usually typed on the computer or printed," said the 16-year-old, "but if I am given the choice to print something or use cursive, I am definitely going to print."
Cursive taught, but rarely used
August 27, 2009
By JANE DONAHUE For The Sun
Parents who see their child's handwriting may wonder if cursive is becoming a thing of the past.
While both Naperville public school districts introduce cursive to students in the second grade and reinforce it through fifth grade, many students leave the writing technique behind in favor of technology.
Debra Crooks, who has been a teacher for 25 years, said her students are usually "very anxious to learn cursive" when she begins instruction in second grade.
"Since we are introducing cursive, we go through the entire alphabet," said Crooks, a second-grade teacher at V. Blanche Graham Elementary School since 1996. "We want them to know how to read and write in cursive, but we do not force them to write in cursive -- we never have."
Crooks recalled how when she was a student, cursive expectations were different "and teachers required us to have perfect penmanship."
Students were told using cursive was faster than printing, but that's not necessarily true for today's learners.
Graham's principal, Joan Peterson, said when it comes to writing, her teachers work to help students achieve the balance between forming letters and word choice.
"For some students, cursive is a more fluid movement for writing," said Peterson. "For others, printing is preferable. While both are taught, we encourage students to enhance their writing skills while still practicing a legible way to communicate with others."
Once students leave elementary school, there is no formal cursive instruction. Given the option, most students choose the computer as a means to communicate.
Brian Buss, who teaches English and reading at Clifford Crone Middle School, said he sees students opt for technology instead of using cursive.
"Teachers continue teaching the skill (cursive), but soon after the students learn it, they stop practicing," said Buss. "What can I say -- we live in an electronic age. I too send more e-mails than I handwrite notes."
Teacher Susan Smith shares the sentiment.
"Although my book report requirements do allow for handwritten reports, that option has not been used by our gifted students for several years," said Smith, who teaches Project Arrow English and literature at Crone. "With the availability of computers within their homes, our gifted students tend to prefer the computer over handwriting."
Neuqua Valley High School junior Tricia Bannister said besides signing her name, she probably hasn't used cursive since the sixth grade.
"My assignments are usually typed on the computer or printed," said the 16-year-old, "but if I am given the choice to print something or use cursive, I am definitely going to print."