Should Cursive Writing be Taught in School? Cursive writing, “the curlicue script that older generations viewed as the hallmark of a well-educated person” (Creno) has “been slowly disappearing from classrooms for years” (Shapiro and Voisin). Many states have chosen to teach Common Core standards which do not require students to learn cursive. Since schools are now teaching Common Core, they are trying to decide if cursive is still worth teaching. There have been many debates on the subject of cursive. Supporters of teaching cursive believe that cursive should be taught because it’s a necessary skill for all students to have. However, opposers believe that time now spent on teaching cursive should be focused on more important subjects.
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Supporters of teaching cursive in schools believe that cursive is a skill that is very beneficial throughout students’ lives. First, cursive allows us to have a connection to history. For example, if cursive is not taught, historians in the future won’t be able to read historical documents written in cursive (Shapiro and Voisin). If we don’t have cursive in the future, people won’t be able to learn as much about our past. Language arts teacher, Lundon Beamish said, “I think that cursive allows us to maintain our past traditions and provides a personal touch to our work, but more importantly, it is a strong means for teaching and practicing fine motor skills for young children” (Keck). As Beamish explained, cursive can help students in many aspects of their lives. Neuroscientist William …show more content…
Opposers argue that kids should be taught more about technology, instead of writing by hand. Cursive is not as important as it was in the past because technology has taken over (Shapiro and Voisin). Also, hardly anyone writes in cursive now, or is even required to. Professor Steve Graham thinks that “Cursive writing is pretty much gone, except in the adult world for people in their 60s and 70s” (Shapiro and Voisin). The assistant superintendent of curriculum at Mesa schools, Suzan DePrez agrees as she asks, “When, beyond elementary school, is one expected or asked to produce in cursive writing” (Creno)? Supporters would argue that cursive is required for signatures, however professor Gramm acknowledges that “Printed signatures are acceptable today, as are electronic signatures” (Creno). Since cursive isn’t a necessary skill anymore, opposers think time should be spent on teaching subjects that are more important than cursive. Senior lecturer in Language Literacy at the University of Canberra, Dr. Misty Adonious says, “I just don’t think it’s worthwhile spending school time teaching...cursive writing” (Kerin). Since cursive is hardly ever used, many people think other subjects, such as math, english, and science, should be focused on instead of
Supporters of teaching cursive in schools believe that cursive is a skill that is very beneficial throughout students’ lives. First, cursive allows us to have a connection to history. For example, if cursive is not taught, historians in the future won’t be able to read historical documents written in cursive (Shapiro and Voisin). If we don’t have cursive in the future, people won’t be able to learn as much about our past. Language arts teacher, Lundon Beamish said, “I think that cursive allows us to maintain our past traditions and provides a personal touch to our work, but more importantly, it is a strong means for teaching and practicing fine motor skills for young children” (Keck). As Beamish explained, cursive can help students in many aspects of their lives. Neuroscientist William …show more content…
Opposers argue that kids should be taught more about technology, instead of writing by hand. Cursive is not as important as it was in the past because technology has taken over (Shapiro and Voisin). Also, hardly anyone writes in cursive now, or is even required to. Professor Steve Graham thinks that “Cursive writing is pretty much gone, except in the adult world for people in their 60s and 70s” (Shapiro and Voisin). The assistant superintendent of curriculum at Mesa schools, Suzan DePrez agrees as she asks, “When, beyond elementary school, is one expected or asked to produce in cursive writing” (Creno)? Supporters would argue that cursive is required for signatures, however professor Gramm acknowledges that “Printed signatures are acceptable today, as are electronic signatures” (Creno). Since cursive isn’t a necessary skill anymore, opposers think time should be spent on teaching subjects that are more important than cursive. Senior lecturer in Language Literacy at the University of Canberra, Dr. Misty Adonious says, “I just don’t think it’s worthwhile spending school time teaching...cursive writing” (Kerin). Since cursive is hardly ever used, many people think other subjects, such as math, english, and science, should be focused on instead of