The Pros and Cons of Teaching Cursive Handwriting

Greetings Supporters,

As you may recall, last week I talked about the importance of teaching penmanship.  Today, I will like to talk briefly about the pros and cons of teaching cursive handwriting.  I was recently shocked to learn that most schools no longer teach cursive writing.  Apparently there is a big debate about the pros and cons or cursive writing.  So I decided to give you a brief summary of both sides of the issue.  

The Argument to Teach Cursive

Some parents and educators want cursive handwriting to be included in students' lessons. Here's what they said about that:

• How will they ever be able to read historical documents such as the constitution, etc if they don't learn to read and write in cursive? -Sara J.
• I don't think it has been taught in our school for at least the last 10 to 15 years. Cursive writing will become a lost art in America. I think it should still be taught. -Claudia A.
• Yes! It's part of my children's 2nd grade homeschool curriculum. They just started doing it, and they are so excited about it. :) -Angela M.

Download FREE cursive handwriting worksheets on Educents!

Or join our members' only section to download FREE cursive handwring worksheets about what the Bible says giving, love, and anger 

 

The Argument Not to Teach Cursive

Some say cursive is no longer an essential lesson to teach kids, here's their reasonings for that:

• No, it's not relevant anymore. Learn typing instead. -Robert C.
• Honestly, it's no longer important. Teach them to sign their name; then teach them to convey their thoughts, and be persuasive, via oral and written communications. Why would we want to spend valuable school time, beyond a day or two, teaching someone to sign their name in cursive? Why don't we spend time teaching calculations via abacus or slide rules? -Gary F.
• I can read Shakespeare, Mark Twain and the Bible among other things all without ever needing cursive. Just don't get the hype. -Mike E.

Handwriting Resources for Kids

Are you an educator or parent who wants to spend time teaching your kids how to write in cursive? If so, these resources from Educents and BooksByCorine will make it a lot more easy and FUN to learn cursive.

• FREE Super Hero Cursive Alphabet Writing Worksheets - Have you met the Educents Heroes? Your child can practice writing cursive with 53 pages of FREE CURSIVE alphabet worksheets! The Educents Heroes are prepared with both lowercase and uppercase letters.
• Wild Animal Print Cursive Alphabet Posters - A set of 26 cursive alphabet posters in a fun wild animal print for less than $5!
• Revolutionary War Copywork in Cursive Activities - Learn history while you learn how to write cursive! This eBook contains 20 quotes from America's Founding Fathers for kids to write!
• Why We Give Gifts at Christmas Time - Contains 12 Bible verses about giving. 
• What is Love - Includes 1 John 3:11, 16-18 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a & 13.  
• Teaching Christ's Children About Feeling Angry - Contains several BIble verses about anger including Ephesians 4:31, Proverbs 19:11 and James 1:9.   

Web Learning Resources for Kids

Online learning is becoming even more important for the next generations. Educents also has affordable resources that helps children develop their typing and coding skills.

• Learn to Mod with Minecraft - Did you know kids can learn how to code by modifying (or "modding") Minecraft®? Kids learn how to code in Java® and apply it to Minecraft® themed problems!
• The WriteWell App - A simple and intuitive web-based tool that makes writing fun and effective. With its unique visual and tactile interface and library of interactive essay templates, WriteWell is a convenient tool for teachers and students at home or in the classroom.
• Handwriting Worksheet Wizard - StartWrite helps teachers, homeschoolers, and parents create handwriting lessons quickly and easily. This program saves hours in lesson preparation time, yet allows you to easily create fun, meaningful worksheet to teach handwriting.

What do you think?

So what are your thoughts about cursive?  Do your kids know how to write in cursive?  Do you think it's is important for kids to learn cursvie?  Why or why not?

Well that is all for now, continue to pray for me and know I am praying for you.


Corine