[lbo-talk] The death of cursive....

[123hop at comcast.net]

"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. "

That's not quite what I meant. I meant that training in calligraphy teaches one viscerally, albeit mechanically, that verbal/written expression includes beauty as well as truth.

"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."

Perhaps the teenage years would be best....as you say next:

"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." 

Keep in mind however that right now what is replacing instruction in cursive, is practice for standardized tests.

Joanna