I think at the very least we need to retain the ability to read
cursive, just because it is the form in which the originals of much
our world's history exists. I'm not sure about teaching the ability
to write cursive ... In practice it is something I could not learn,
but there is probably no academic skill someone will be unable to
learn. I would say that it is a skill that is not essential either
in practical term for most, or an important pathway to learning to
think. So perhaps it should go the way of other obscure skills that
are learned by a few who are interested. I have a friend who
practices calligraphy. She makes beautiful manuscripts. But she
learned it as a hobby. It was not mandatory in school. In terms of
learning handwriting as a path to appreciation of beauty, I would
suggest that reversing the deprecation and often elimination of art
and music in schools is much higher priority than retaining mandatory
cursive. I also wonder if cursive is a skill best taught young.
Unlike basic reading and writing,it may be better acquired as an adult
the way my friend acquired calligraphy. Heck, if you think it
important that it be taught to kids, I could see a bigger argument
for offering calligraphy as an optional part of an arts curriculum
than teaching plain old cursive. You get the ability to produce
something truly beautiful and learn cursive as a side effect. I'll
bet a large minority of kids would be interested, and those who were
not could concentrate on something else.
>
> Joanna
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> I wasn't talking about what everyone should do, just what I do. I think that each person should do what works best for him/her. I wish I had kept up my italics, though.
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>
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