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Nov 15 2011
Will handwriting be obsolete?
Last week a parent in our homeschool co-op informed me that, in keyboarding, only one space is used after a period at the end of a sentence. This new tidbit of information rocked my world because, thanks to my very capable 6th and 7th grade typing teachers, sealed in my head (and right thumb) is the two-space rule.
While some call the difference a "style choice," Grammar Girl says "using one space is by far the most widely accepted and logical style," citing The Chicago Manual of Style, the AP Stylebook and the Modern Language Association. Visually, the move from the monospace font of typewriters to the proportional fonts of computers supposedly eased the readability of the font-spacing enough to render the extra space after a period unnecessary.
Honestly I am a bit torn. The side of me that desperately wants to align with the rules is determined to break my two-space habit and form a new one. Unfortunately, I have yet to convince my right thumb, which has a solid two-space relationship with the spacebar, when it comes to wrapping up sentences and starting new ones. If I was not teaching a writing class in our local co-op I might not pay any attention to this detail, but as a teacher I feel a great responsibility to my students to align with universal standards.
I realize there have been significant advances in technology since my 6th grade year; twenty-seven years of advancement in fact. If the new standards highly recommend one space over two, I will adjust and take responsibility to teach my students the same. After all, after reading the explanation, it makes sense.
However, when I came across an online article weighing in on whether or not handwriting is even necessary in this day and time I drew my proverbial line in the sand.
I am not a technophobe. I work online building websites and writing blog posts. I have an iPad, iPhone, and text more than I call. I believe very strongly that technology must be integrated with learning in today's schools, homes and workplaces. That said, I am absolutely hard core about teaching handwriting, cursive even, to children.
The article above states that "Keyboarding is taught in elementary schools, but students are often learning the right keys to press to form words even before then. Many children are exposed to computers, laptops, iPads and texting on cellphones even before schools begin teaching these students." With that in mind, it seems to make even more sense for teachers (whether they are parents, family members, public or private school teachers) to emphasize the core foundations of handwriting when children begin their formal learning years.
In the same article, Danielle Bolduc, the Oyster River director of instruction, pointed to research supporting the link between handwriting as a building block for both memory and language. Her belief is that "Both legible handwriting and efficient keyboarding are necessities in the 21st century." Bolduc supports developing both skill sets early on in a child's education to promote very specific, but very different, brain development.
And yet, according to Lindsay Flori of the Racine Journal Times, some schools are considering dropping cursive writing altogether because that time is "…better spent on reading and math; those subjects are judged on standardized tests while handwriting is not."
While I understand that some believe handwriting should take a backseat to the "biggies" like Math and Science, I believe we will shortchange our children if we do not teach them to read and write in cursive. Am I alone in this belief? Is the written word steadfastly becoming obsolete? Dr. Karin Harman James, lead researcher and assistant professor in the department of psychological and brain science at Indiana University says, "…at this stage the question is not if handwriting will die out. The question is when."
Do you foresee a future where letters will no longer be written, cards no longer sent, checks no longer signed by hand and/or signatures on legal documents are no longer required?
Cursive is not just an art form for those of us old fogies who want to keep a bit of the "written" in the written word. We will lose something precious if it drops from education because, according to Dr. James, handwriting changes the way children learn and helps their brains to develop more productively.
Technology is advancing fast, but unlike the outgrown "two-spaces after a period" rule, the long-term developmental effect of cutting out a significant foundation of learning is more than a visual preference.
As parent educators our opinion counts. We have a say in our children's education. Do you think handwriting is obsolete or unnecessary?
About the Author: Tired of feeling overwhelmed, Heather Sanders and her husband Jeff faithsized their family into a 960 square foot lake cabin in need of renovation. She writes about faith and simplifying your desires so you can be content right here and right now.
271 Comments and 71 Replies
Sally G On Tuesday, November 15 at 10:52 am
I agree, handwriting has great value. However, I hope everyone is equally as committed to understanding how to use the technology available to them. Just as it's heartbreaking to have a 12 year old not be able to read cursive, it's painful to try to teach your 50 something mother to use a computer or the very basics of the internet. Painful I tell you!
Julie On Tuesday, November 15 at 10:53 am
Changing from two spaces to one after a period isn't just about improvements in readability. It's about electronic presentation of text. Many times, computer software allows the line to break in between the two spaces, so there is an errant space at the beginning of the next line. This is very undesirable, so it contributes to the change to one space.
Melissa On Tuesday, November 15 at 10:53 am
No matter what route we take for my kids' education, they WILL have good handwriting and they WILL be able to read cursive. If they're not teaching it in school, I'll teach it to them. I'm their mom. I can do that.
Nancy On Tuesday, November 15 at 10:57 am
Personally, I believe cursive is faster than printing, and much more individualized. So yes, I think we need to keep it in the curriculum. If all computers "talk" to us someday, are we going to stop teaching children to read? Not teaching cursive seems like a step backwards to me.
Nana On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:06 am
I have to vote YES for cursive. I know, I know. It seems to many people to be outdated and out of style, but I believe, just like the classic books, it serves a very important purpose. As many others here have said, I treasure the hand-written notes from my grandparents and great-grandparents. All of them in their unique, cursive handwriting. When I read the notes, letters and recipes, I feel their presence. I don't think the effect would be quite the same if they had printed instead of writing in cursive.
**** One note – my oldest child, now 29, learned to print in preschool using the D'Nealian method. Each note was printed separately, slightly slanted, with a little sweeping tail on the end of each letter. Then when cursive was introduced, all that had to be learned was how to naturally join the letters that already looked like cursive. That way it was not like learning two different styles of writing, but only one. In my opinion, this is the most natural and easy way to teach handwriting.
Angela in KY On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:06 am
I heard about this handwriting "controversy" a while back and was flabbergasted! Take away learning to write in favor of typing? I just can't fathom it. My children's curriculum teaches cursive starting in preschool. Times change, yes, but we will always have to write. Do we go back to marking our X on the line?
Donna Mc On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:10 am
Look at teh historical document that will kids won't be able to read! Everything from simple recipes from grandma to HUGE parts of our written history. Cursive needs to be taught! They need to be able to read and write it. BUT pet-peeve of mine.
my kids' mom On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:16 pm
They said this when Latin left the curriculum too. Just think of all the important items you can't read because you didn't learn Latin. Are you feeling deprived? No, not really. There are careers that need Latin, and those folks learn it, but most of us don't need it and the lack of it isn't doing us any harm. Let cursive be learned by those who need it (historians) but leave it out of the general curriculum for the masses.
Sandi On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:13 am
I don't agree with the removal of cursive. I agree it is not used often anymore, but I still think it is necessary. My son learned it, and I would have taught it to him if he had not had it in school.
As to the spacing, I'm torn. I was always a double-space person until I worked in a marketing position for a while and the graphic artist had to remove the extra spaces when he made layouts and he complained about it each.and.every.time until I learned to remove it. I think it partially depends on the font used, but the medium is more influential. If it is something online like this, one space is fine. It is still readable without extra concentration. Print material, however, generally needs the extra space for the brain to process it as it skims over. For a school report that would be printed and turned in, I would still use two spaces regardless of font. For everything else, I think I've pretty much been weaned back to just one.
Katrina On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:22 am
Modern technology doesn't make handwriting obsolete any more than velcro made shoelaces obsolete.
Having experienced for myself the developmental benefits of handwriting fluency, it does sadden me to see that handwriting is not being taken seriously in our public school system.
However, I think all of us advocates for handwriting instruction are very, very, late to the game. It's already been so widely disregarded that we cannot hope to do anything about its demise in our sprawling public education system. I guess we'll just have to hope that the next generation rebels and tries to reinstate what was lost. (Kind of the way we rebelled against frozen dinners and baby formula.)
Nana On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:22 am
Cursive should be kept alive and well. It's just one of many small skills that are being lost and forgotten. I even still love to see if I can remember how to take notes in Shorthand that I learned in business class in high school in the 70's! That is one writing skill that probably will never be needed again, but I just love to see that I can write and then later read the notes that I have written. (And it REALLY amazes my kids and grandkids to see that "funny" writing!)There is just a certain satisfaction in beautiful handwriting that can never be replicated by printing and typing. I have made sure that all my children knew how to write and read in cursive.
TiffH On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:28 am
I think that handwriting is still important. Signing your drivers liscense, signing a contract, even signing the back of your credit card and the machine in the store (even though they never check that the signatures match!), signing a letter or thankyou card or birthday card these are all times when I would like to be able to sign my own personal signature and not in little kids handwriting. I am about to turn 30 and I remember learning handwriting in school , I was so excited to learn it in school. I couldn't wait to be able to read what the grown-ups had written and what my older brothers were writing. Yes I am sure they might not have to focus as much time on it as in the past, but it is still an important thing to learn. As far as the two spaces, I have to admit I did not remember that rule until you brought it up. I have not used two spaces in years, mainly, I am sure, because I no longer work outside the home and only type in comments and the rare email. I really don't think one or two spaces make a difference. But I will be teaching my son handwriting, not sure yet on the modern vs classic, that will need a little research.
chris On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:28 am
i have twins and it was our choice to place them in catholic school. the bullies, etc, do not make public school worth it. i love it (don't have the patience or smarts to home school, god bless you all), they love it but found out that in new york, they don't teach cursive. WHAT!!! luckily, catholic schools do. so stupid
Mandy On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:36 am
Ummm…..I really don't understand what all the fuss is about. I'm in my 30's and dropped cursive handwriting as soon as possible. (Although I do double-space after the period!) I am a mother of 3, gainfully employed (I've never seen cursive handwriting as a job requirement), and a very productive member of society. While cursive may look pretty, the fact is that it is not at all necessary. It's a simple matter of preference, and it makes you look pretty silly when you use the lack of teaching cursive as a way to bemoan the ills of public education. There are plenty of downfalls in the public school system, but this not an important issue. In the big scheme of things, our society will not rise or fall because little Johnny (or adult Johnny) can only print his letters. Frankly, I'm much more concerned that my children are technology-savvy so that they will be able to find great jobs.
Jennifer On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:40 am
I was informed by another homeschool mom that they don't even teach cursive anymore in the public schools in my area, I had NO idea! Both of my children have learned cursive and printing and now typing because I believe it's important to know all of them!
StacyJ On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:45 am
Apparently, the public school my son attended in elementary felt the same way as they never attempted to teach cursive. He's now in 9th grade and it is on my list of things to do to teach him to at least sign his name in cursive. I keep asking him what will he do one day if his "old school" boss gives him some instructions written in cursive and he can't read it. He doesn't think he needs to worry about it. I think it's a tragedy.
Dawn @ The Momma Knows On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:45 am
I am in the teach them cursive camp, for sure. I have two boys with some pretty major fine motor delays, and cursive, if not good for anything else, is great for teaching proper letter size and spacing. Still, I think it's important they also know how to read cursive too. The majority of adults in the Us still use it, and if you can't read cards or letters from Grandma, you might miss something. Wait, do we write letters any more? And speaking of spacing and typing, my right thumb has a double space relationship with the spacebar too. I just recently have been making a point to only click once. It's a hard habit to break!
Lorraine On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:48 am
As for established styles, Modern Language Association (MLA) goes with the single space as a preference, but leaves the door open to say that there is nothing wrong with using two spaces after ending punctuation marks unless an instructor or editor states a preference one way or another.
I have been taught two spaces and will continue to use such. All modern typing tests that I have come in contact with will penalize you for not using two spaces. Sadly, I type significantly faster these days then I write… but I am a huge advocate for actually writing, in cursive, and doing it often… I don't think kids should be allowed on computers until they are 18! lol, they should research the same way we did, with books, writing their homework out…. and for goodness sakes… learning how to phonetically spell and pronounce words!!!
Kathy Ayers On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:51 am
I agree that all these changes are so difficult. The one space rule is mind boggling to me and I am always trying to correct my children's papers to two spaces. They look at me like I am from outerspace. I do hate to see the end of handwriting and especially spelling, as I help grade college papers for my husband. It is wrong to believe that only "math and reading" are learning blocks. I think being able to articulate ideas through writing properly is fundamental and should never change. It is awful to try and grade papers that take five passes through before even beginning to read the writing and or spelling.
{VICKI} On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:54 am
My son is in 7th grade and DOES NOT know how to read or write cursive therefore he CANNOT read anything I write!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is VERY DISTURBING to me!!!!!!!!!
my kids' mom On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:20 pm
Teach him. Not all kids need it and I'd rather the schools focus on keyboarding than cursive. Maybe they could offer cursive as an elective.
Julie On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:56 am
Heather, I agree with you totally. When I was taught cursive it was with the cards to copy from, and learning was in a step 1,2,3 process. I can't tell you how many times I've remembered that process, and used that model to illustrate to someone the concept of graduated "process". The tech' revolution leaves some of us breathless. J
Vicki (piggledy) On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:00 pm
I have mixed feelings about this – I was one of those children who had terrible handwriting – I got A-s and B-s in everything except handwriting. Even cursive was a terrible challenge for me. When I took a calligraphy class in 7th grade, something clicked, and all of my letters took form, whether in standard print, cursive, or calligraphy. I had somehow been unable when I was younger to understand the common elements in letters, and each letter looked different (terrible). So, I think there is a definite readiness component involved, which may have no bearing on other skills readiness. With that said, I think it is well worth the effort to begin teaching the elements of beautiful printed and cursive handwriting early, but to re-visit the concepts later on, if the child is not yet ready. (For what it is worth, I have a degree in elementary education, although my teaching experience was four years on the college level, teaching microcomputer applications.) I agree with those who have observed that in asian countries, regardless of the level of technology, there is still great respect for the aesthetic of beautiful handwriting and calligraphy.
Mary from SoDak On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:06 pm
Have you ever had the opportunity to read letters written by previous generations, the fluencey and ornateness of the writting totally intrigues me. An art form in its own right. I hate to admit that my own penmanship lacks the decorative cures and swooshes, but at least I can write. I remember spending hours trying out different ways to write my name, to perfect the style and ease of my signature. I understand that penmanship doesn't mean to teachers what it used to, but I feel it is still a needed skill.
Carol On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:13 pm
I recently sat down and wrote an ACTUAL LETTER to a loved one. I was shocked with how incredibly therapeutic it was…finding a pen, a piece of pretty paper, the time to write…do we really want to rob future generations of this most simple act of connection?
Kristy On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:13 pm
I have always wondered why we taught kids to write one way (print) then turn around a few years later and teach them a whole new way to write. It seems like a lot of time spent learning new skills to do the same thing.
I'm now a SAHM, but am a Special Ed teacher by training. At the school for children whith learning disabilities where I worked, we didn't teach print at all. We skipped straight to cursive. There it was largely to help our students because LD kids frequently have difficulty with appropriate spacing. But I see no reason why it couldn't work for most kids. I truly don't see the harm in not being able to write one or the other. Handwriting becomes so individual over time that experts can use it to identify people so what ever version you teach kids, they'll make it their own anyway. As long as hey can write legibly, cursive, print, Zaner-Bloser, D'Nealian etc, doesn't really matter to me.
I will always put 2 spaces after a period. I just can't stop myself.
As for handwriting being obsolete, I doubt it will ever be truly obsolete, but then again I can't remember the last time I hand wrote something longer than a greeting card that someone else had to read.
Missy in PA On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:15 pm
My daughter's second grade was advanced, so at the end of the year the teacher had some time to do quite a bit of enrichment lessons. With the knowledge that the schools were not going to be focusing on cursive writing, she chose to teach her second graders that, which I thought was fabulous. My daughter developed beautiful penmanship that she is not allowed to use now in her third grade assignments. Ridiculous! I encourage her to continue to do all her plays and songs and letters to friends in cursive to keep the knowlege alive. I am guessing my son will only be as lucky if he winds up with the same wonderful second grade teacher.
Antoinette On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:19 pm
My son just wrote his first letters (an F and D) today. I am so excited I can't stand it. (just had to say that)!!
I can't imagine not teach my child to write cursive. I still think it is an important skill… I that combines the technical with the creative and personal. With cursive you can have more flourish, slant, sass or boldness – you can have more fun if you will. Just look at a person's signature.
Karen A. On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:24 pm
What about all our historical documents that are in cursive? Granted, you can print them out but it's not the same as reading it as originally written.
Old family letters, diaries, keepsakes. It would be a shame to delete it from school curriculum.
Elizabeth On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:29 pm
I hope that handwriting doesn't become obsolete. It's so lovely and loopy and flowy. I'm keeping it alive–I have a pen pal and we handwrite letters to each other! I highly recommend it. It's very relaxing to sit down and pen a letter to a friend. It also shows you care because you have put the time and effort into putting pen to paper. Receiving a letter in the mail is the highlight of my day when a new one arrives.
Ardis W. On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:33 pm
this has nothing to do with handwriting, although I am a huge proponent of teaching cursive and, thankfully for me, my daughter's second grade teacher is teaching it to them now; this comment is being made just to point out the irony of the single space after sentences via text rule ~ do you know that on an iPhone, if you hit the space button TWICE, it will automatically place a period there for you….hmmmmmm….looks like Steve Jobs' team still liked the double space after a period rule.
Salad in a Jar On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:39 pm
I'm not taking sides here. Just observing how difficult change can be.
Dana On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:42 pm
I am studying to be an educator as my second career in Kentucky. As Kentucky is changing to the Core Common Standards, cursive is no longer being taught at the elementary level at least. While I understand that texting and e-mail is an important form of communication, it is not universal. I believe the lack of learning cursive will definitely create a gap between generations. I am also worried about history that is written in cursive, family histories, our country's history, etc. Without an "interpretor" of some sort, large pieces of history will be lost to our children. This article also speaks to the neurological advantage of learning to write by hand and states that children who learn that technique learn better. Here is the article site: http://abcnews.go.com/US/end-cursive/story?id=12749517.
Karen On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:48 pm
I refuse to give up the Oxford comma and the double space after a period. Handwriting is necessary.
Shannon On Tuesday, November 15 at 12:51 pm
Learning cursive is so important! My grandmother passed away recently, but I will always remember her beautiful school-teacher cursive. It was flawless, and I always wanted to write like her. Her letters to me are doubly precious because of her handwriting. I will definitely be teaching my children handwriting, even if it is not taught to them in school.
Note: I hated the handwriting system I was taught with. I have no idea what it was but it was very frustrating to me how the letters were made because they were supposed to be very round and I hated the way they looked (maybe thinking of Grandma's more slanted and slim letters?). I will let my kids pick out the style of writing they want to learn.
Deah :) On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:06 pm
Nothing is as precious as a hand-written note. I insist my kids learn it! I recognize the other subjects such as math & English rank higher in need of drilling/practice frequency, however, so it's on a 3-day rotation in our schedule.
When my daughter was 5, she memorized her big brother's online cyberschool password and hacked his account to watch his handwriting classes. It frustrated her to no end that she couldn't understand the "language" he was writing his school papers in.
Melissa On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:12 pm
Well, I am not a parent or educator (heck, I am barely out of college) but I can tell you that my crappy handwriting definitely hampered me on a daily basis at both of my previous research jobs. I get the feeling that people assume that high-tech or science jobs will not need handwriting, but this is not true. I have had to keep several lab books, and my research advisers always have to ask me what certain words say. It is a little embarrassing, and I end up taking twice as long writing down what I did to try and make it legible, which is problematic if you have a time-sensitive experiment. It seems like spending more time on handwriting when I was in school might have helped me out later!
Basically, computers and phones will not replace the need for handwriting any time soon in my field, and I imagine it is the same in others.
my kids' mom On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:13 pm
I think cursive should become an elective. Some careers (historian) will require it, but most kids are better off learning the keyboard at a young age (when they are learning the ABC's!). I use Latin as an example. All kids learned it, everyone thought it was needed for a full life. Well, maybe not. Some people need it (medical professions) and most of us don't.
FarmGirlJo On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:14 pm
Necessary. Without question. Take away their devices, make them function on brain power alone and our children will be nonfunctional illiterates, unable to spell or write. A bit of an oxymoron, isn't it, that technology may lead to the dumbing down of America.
Aly On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:27 pm
I learned (and retrained my thumb) the no double space thing in college graphic design classes. I just had to say after I got the gist of what you were saying, I had a little extra mental pause at the end of each of your sentences, looking for your double spaces ;).
I am teaching my kids printing & cursive, although I will admit it is one of the first things that gets skipped when we are short on time.
Genny On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:31 pm
So glad I learned cursive in school, even though by the seventies penmanship was not taught. It really helped me quickly take notes in college. I have to write things down to retain them, just reading them on the page or on the computer screen will not make them stay in my memory. I found by just listening to lectures and taking good notes the bulk of my studying was complete. By the way, it is sad that the last generation of Palmer-style penmanship users is passing away. I noted both my mother, father, and most of their generation had beautiful, legible handwriting. Also, you could tell they had been taught penmanship since their handwriting styles were quite similar.
Mary Connealy On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:40 pm
You can learn the ONE SPACE rule. I know it because I had to do it. It just takes a little time.
In the meantime, as an author, I can tell you that using two spaces marks you as an amateur. You HAVE to switch. So, to fill in the gaps until you do switch, you can check your writing for two spaces simply by using Find and Replace on your computer.
Open the Fine and put in — period space space — (Ignore the dashes I just used them to set off the instructions.
Then open the Replace and put in — period space —
Then click Replace All. It will wipe those little suckers right out of your document.
THEN click Replace All again, in case you occasionally left THREE spaces after a period, which happens more often then you think.
THEN repeat the process with Question Marks ? because we do it after them, too
It really tidies up a document. And you DON'T need two spaces because computers, unlike typewriters, give a space after a period or question mark ample space.
Salad in a Jar On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:15 pm
Thanks Mary! I will start doing this TODAY. (Just went back and removed the extra spaces in this comment.)
Rachel On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:43 pm
I would be completely dissapointed if our school chose not to teach cursive handwriting. I don't care how high-tech this world is becoming…. learning cursive is totally necessary in my opinion. If for some reason our school district decides not to teach this I will take it upon myself to make sure both my daughters learn how to write & read cursive!!
Lorie B. On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:45 pm
Whenever I read about this type of discussion, I am reminded of the movie Wall-E. Whne Wall-E meets John, and later Mary, they are technology addicts to the extreme. they have chairs that carry them around and they NEVER speak to people face to face, only via their messaging service. That movie frightened me. I can easily see that becoming out future. My sixteen year old neice spells horrifically because of her texting hobby/addiction. I am constantly correcting her. WHY must we abreviate everything to the extreme. Example – "I'm 2 tired." "2" for "to" It is going to break your fingers to punch in that one extra letter? THAT type of laziness annoys me to no end. And yes, all children need to learn to read, write and do mathmatics, and write means cursive. Thank you.
Penelope Ellis On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:45 pm
I'm with you on the handwriting issue. When I have kids, I will make it a priority that they master good handwriting skills. I will also make sure they know cursive. This is something my parents enforced, and I am extremely grateful for it. As a teacher, my students are grateful for it, as well. I can't get away with writing information on the board and NOT having good handwriting.
My husband tends to think I'm old-fashioned because of my desire to adhere to these rules. However, I had to sit next to him before his GRE so that he could write the *mandatory* in-cursive paragraph stating that he wouldn't cheat. Why was that? He couldn't remember his cursive letters.
Jamila On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:57 pm
My son is 8 and he has been trying to write cursive since first grade, he's now in third grade. I'm hoping they are still going to teach it at his school. If not, i'll just have to teach him myself.
whitney On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:02 pm
I'm not a parent, but I honestly have to say to when I see adults or older children who cannot write in cursive and have young-child-type handwriting, I automatically think "uneducated."
OldSchool On Tuesday, November 15 at 8:18 pm
texasphotochick On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:13 pm
Yes, handwriting matters. Absolutely. I'm a public school mom and most of the time I feel like the kids are getting a good education where they are. One big exception is handwriting. My son has such awful handwriting. He was falling through the cracks in that area in school and we now work with him at home on that. It's not a grade so teachers let him slide on it I think. And I can tell you, dismissing handwriting like the schools are doing is creating a huge problem when it comes time for the writing portion of the standardized testing in our state. The kids get lower scores because their submission is illegible. And these kids will need to be able to write quickly and legibly in college because a growing number of professors are banning all electronics in the classrooms. When I went back to school last year I was shocked at the number of classes I am not allowed to use my laptop in, but after a few weeks I began to see why and I don't think the trend will change anytime soon.So kids need to be able to take notes. Also, there are still many instructors that use a blue book for essays.
I don't think we need to have penmanship grades again, but at the same time we don't need to let handwriting slip to the wayside.
LizP On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:13 pm
My 17 year old stepson did not learn cursive in school and my 6 year old son isn't learning it either. My stepson's printing looks like he's about 8. I think it is unfortunate that they did not work more on it. I remember pages and pages (and pages and pages) of writing practice pages when I was little. None of my kids (step and bio) can read my cursive writing (well, neither can my husband). I am in the "Cursive should be taught" camp also … but they're cutting languages, music, art, and PE so I'm not sure where they'll fit it in.
Elizabeth On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:13 pm
No way! Not in my home.
Carolina On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:18 pm
Let me start by saying I'm 24. I was taught cursive in elementary school, but I have never used it as an adult. Sure, I sign my name but even when I need to write, I print. I actually don't know anyone in my generation that actually uses all cursive when they write. Usually, it is a mix of both print and cursive. I see the point of needing to be able to read cursive, but to me, cursive sort of has become more of an art and a beautiful toe of penmanship. Why must letters be written in cursive? I write letters every so often, and I always print (or mix cursive and print). This is an issue I'm on the fence about too, I guess. Should we continue doing all of the 'old lost ways' simply because they are old and lost? I feel like so many parents think "the way I was taught was so much better than the way things are done now." It is nostalgic. I did see a comment that said schools are leaving out cursive to teach more math and science because that is what is tested. That, is wrong, in my opinion. If cursive is to be left out, there better be a good reason for that use of time – not to improve state test scores.
Suzanne On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:18 pm
I agree with the importance of cursive. Does anyone out there have a book/program they recommend to aid in teaching cursive??? I'd love to know what has worked for others.
Becky Smith On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:30 pm
I am firmly in the camp for the need to continue to teach handwriting and cursive. I taught 5th grade before I had kids, and I am now homeschooling my four little ones. I found that, in general, my public school students seemed to be more successful if they had solid handwriting skills, and much less successful if they struggled in handwriting. There were exceptions, of course, when a student would have beautiful penmanship, but struggled in school, or a student had illegible handwriting, but was successful, but the general rule applied.
I definitely agree that a connection is made as children write. My son completed a computer based math curriculum last year, and never really mastered the concepts because he never had to write the process down on paper. I know for me, in college particularly, I remembered information better if I wrote it down, than if I just read it or heard it. Typing just doesn't have the same impact on learning that the physical process of writing does.
F Fenwick On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:37 pm
Handwriting is very important, no matter how technologically advanced we as a society may become we will always need to write something.
The double space after the period.. I was taught the same thing. I am now back in college at 39 and am learning the MLA style of word processing for my papers. Many of my professors will state specifically if they want a double space or not. With the many styles of forming a paper available and many professors requesting a specific one I think both methods should be taught and the student should then understand to note what his or her professor specifically requests. If a request is not made then it should be a single space used as that is the current norm. My 19 year old son was taught differently than my 17 year old son from the same school district. My 17 year old is now attending a private homeschool academy (private school working on accreditation) and is taught to use the method requested by his teacher and to also keep in mind the specifics for MLA, Chicago, APA and CSE writing specifics.
It's a tricky subject, at some point all the rule books will align and only one method will be necessary.
Jennifer Hill On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:51 pm
TOTALLY necessary!!!!! Both cursive and manuscript! I mean why don't we all just get scooters or wheelchairs and forget how to walk while we are at it? I'm with ya!!!!
Audra On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:55 pm
I WILL teach my kids to write in cursive! The idea that it becomming a lost art makes me want to teach them more. Perhaps a little dramatic but, we are turning our backs on so much of the past and I refuse to let my kids go forward and not have the knowledge to be able to look back if they wanted to. GOOO CURSIVE
laurah On Tuesday, November 15 at 2:56 pm
This is a subject that will be debated for quite some time with the school districts seemingly winning out in NOT teaching handwriting other than writing the student's name. But maybe like the clocks in schools, more and more will return to the 'old' ways. Our district just replaced all digital clocks with analog ones when they became aware that kids could not tell time.
As parents we must take responsibility and be sure our children are learning handwriting; know how to add, subtract, and do other math functions without a calculator; know how to make change without a computer, know American history as well as world history; know the classics that have been banned in some schools; know manners; have good atittudes, etc.
There is nothing more frustrating than being at a cash register and the person can't make change because the computer is down. In the same vein, if the computer is down, people HAVE to know how to write so as to finish the project.
My children continue to write thank-you notes, Christmas card greetings, letters to relatives, letters of complaint/compliment to organizations, filling out and signing checks, writing in their journals, and numerous creative writing assignments.
Remember there is still the writing section of the SAT which is just that–writing.
Annie On Tuesday, November 15 at 7:02 pm
The writing section of the SAT isn't assessed on handwriting–it's assessed on skills like organization, word choice, clarity, formation of a thesis, etc. We have to be careful not to confuse "writing" with "handwriting". Writing is about communication and is a complicated thought process, with only one part of the process being the physical mark on the paper (or computer screen). Handwriting is the mechanism we sometimes use to communicate, just as computers and cell phones are mechanisms as well. Handwriting has its place, but it is NOT writing. There are people who have horrendous penmanship and are fantastic writers, and there are people with fantastic penmanship who struggle to communicate in writing all the time.
Amy K On Tuesday, November 15 at 7:54 pm
To clarify, the SAT now does include scoring for handwriting-not necessarily for beautiful cursive writing, but for clear legible writing.
Apparently the first few rounds were horrifically difficult to score.
Annie On Wednesday, November 16 at 12:35 am
I was surprised to read that the SAT scores handwriting, so I did a little research, and according to the CollegeBoard (the company that administers the SAT) Web site, their scorers are qualified educators who keep multiple criteria in mind while scoring, including "disregarding the quality of handwriting."
Here's the link:
Just to be clear, I DO think we should teach handwriting because of its necessity in developing fine motor skills. I just think we shouldn't confuse good handwriting and good writing. They're not the same, and teaching handwriting should never ever be a substitute for teaching writing.
H. Renee On Tuesday, November 15 at 3:01 pm
Cursive will not be obsolete so long as college professors use it. Not being able to read cursive was a serious problem in my first college class, and I had to learn, right then and there, or fall behind because I couldn't read what was written on the board.
Kimberly On Wednesday, November 16 at 3:46 pm
Not sure when you went to college, but most college professors do not lecture in cursive. Most of my classes used a Power Point projector during lecture or simply lectured and depended on the students to take notes themselves. Some papers and tests were graded with handwritten notes on the side, but they were typically done in the half print – half cursive style that most adults adopt.
Linda On Tuesday, November 15 at 3:03 pm
This was my first year to hear that schools had or would not be teaching cursive writing. I am 62 and disagree but have no grandchildren. My daughter is 37 and says she only prints. I got a thank you card from a recently married teacher today and it was printed but she did sign their names.
Suanna On Tuesday, November 15 at 3:06 pm
I think it is still important to teach cursive. I agree with everyone about being able to read old letters.
Here's an idea: Right now we have a generation of people of whom many are not learning to write or read cursive. Several years down the road some of them will become school teachers. Then they will bring cursive back to being taught in schools, but the teachers won't know how to write or read it. Then what happens?
As for spaces at the end of sentences, there is nothing wrong with one space or two spaces. Just make sure college professors tell their students how they want it before their papers are turned in so the students can do it the way the professor wants without having their grades docked.
Jan in AZ On Tuesday, November 15 at 3:27 pm
In the past year, I too have adjusted my typing on technology (texting and casual emails) to one space instead of two. But as a legal assistant, I believe that in business correspondence, whether by printed letters or emails, I should still use 2 spaces between sentences. It just doesn't look right with one space!
Jennifer L. On Tuesday, November 15 at 3:33 pm
I can actually see both sides. When books were first printed, in the 15th and 16th centuries (and of course, before, when books were handwritten), ornate fonts were used that are difficult to read today. My point is that not being able to read cursive will not keep us from reading historical documents. Historians learn to read old fonts, just as historians of tomorrow may need to learn how to read cursive.
On the other hand, I do feel that pen on paper is a very different relationship than hands on keys. As a writer, I use both keyboards and regular pens and papers, and I must say, there is nothing quite like writing out the words. Plus, cursive is truly an art form for those who do it well.
Elisabeth Nasshahn On Tuesday, November 15 at 3:51 pm
We home school our three kids and cursive is one of the subjects we teach once basic printing is mastered. (It's been at different ages for each child) It's just as important a subject in our home as math, language, science, history or bible.
Amy Mac On Tuesday, November 15 at 4:06 pm
Yes! Everyone needs to learn cursive. I feel very strongly about this. And I know they say those who write in cursive do better on the AP tests, than those who print. They think it may be a time thing. Faster to write in cursive than to print. My boys groan, but they write in cursive.
Mandivilla On Tuesday, November 15 at 4:06 pm
Whether or not my kids will ever use it, I just think cursive is something that kids ought to learn. It's just part of being well-rounded. It appeals both sides of the brain, and what about all those other things we learned in school that we never use? I love math, but I have not yet used trig or calculus in my everyday life, knock on wood. But I'm still glad I learned it.
As for the single space after period, holy cows. Reading over my husband's legal briefs, police reports and PC affidavits are a nightmare. One space between is not enough and makes your eyes cross, especially with abbreviations. When I do dictation for him, I do a double space anyway. It's just easier to read!
Sue On Tuesday, November 15 at 4:13 pm
My darling god-son could not read the card I gave him for his High School graduation. He hadn't "done" cursive since 3rd and 4th grades when it was part of the curriculum. They had one 3 week unit in cursive writing in 3rd and another in 4th. That is six weeks of exposure to cursive writing in 13 years of pulic education. He (and his brother) have the most beautiful printing I've ever seen, both of them use the computer or their phones for nearly all written communication. I was shocked at the time, and it quickly became a conversation at work, with co-workers confirming that their children also only "did" cursive in 3rd and 4th grades and that few of them could read or write in cursive past 5th.
Wow, how quickly the world has changed.
Lori-n-TX On Tuesday, November 15 at 4:17 pm
I hope not…Its like personal letter writing, no one does it anymore.
(Not a Homeschooling parent, just an observation!)
jil On Tuesday, November 15 at 4:17 pm
it is disturbing to think that all of our country's original documents: The Constitution, Dec of Independence, Bill of Rights, etc will need to be *interpreted* for future generations because they will not be able to read the original texts. this gives me pause.
Jen @ anothergranolamom On Tuesday, November 15 at 4:31 pm
I use my iphone all the time. When I press the space bar twice, it finishes my sentence with a period (without pressing the period key.) I think that might be an old habit that is here to stay — for a while at least.
Sara K On Tuesday, November 15 at 4:36 pm
I heard a story about this somewhere, and someone pointed out that businesses are also seeing people coming to them writing like a second grader instead of having people who have come up with their own style of handwriting (cursive, penmanship or a combination of both). The business people interviewed said it was a real concern that any form of writing is not being graded in most schools after a certain grade level.
My son is learning cursive through Abeka at his school, and I'm amazed at how quickly he has picked it up. We need to remember that people used to use it exclusively. I think learning it for historical and practical reasons is absolutely necessary.
Mandy C On Tuesday, November 15 at 4:41 pm
My proofreading department busts me on the two-space thing all the time. But I still can't stop! Period, space, space, capital letter. That's just how it works!
SharonFaye On Tuesday, November 15 at 4:45 pm
You can't READ cursive if you don't know how to WRITE it. There's so much history and original documents in cursive. I work for our state's Land Survey Program. We have all the original General Land Office documents in our vault. Plats and survey notebooks by Lewis and Clark when they started surveying Missouri in the early 1800's. Beautiful cursive handwritten history on every page. How will future generations be able to read about their history? Sure, it can be copied, has been copied into print. But occasionally one has to refer to the originals.
Katie Stieg On Tuesday, November 15 at 5:10 pm
As a high school history teacher, I think it would be terrible if children are not taught to write. Now, as I sometimes wish I could require my students to type everything (so I CAN actually read their writing), I rarely do (unless it is a formal paper). Anything they turn in in class is handwritten. Most homework is hand-written as well. Also, I am seeing the downfall of this trend already. We do a lot of primary source documents work in my classroom and even take a field trip to a presidential library where students are required to go through stacks of primary documents to make an argument for a case for or against a historical event. They always have difficulty reading the cursive documents. (In their defense- I prefer writing in cursive and can read it well, but there are times where it is difficult to read the documents due to the bad handwriting of the author.) However, they always come back from the experience and ask me why the library hasn't digitized the material. It opens up a discussion about the importance of historical documents and how it is necessary to preserve them in their original form.
With that said, I really hope that schools do not continue on this trend. While I embrace technology wholeheartedly, it does scare me that I would have to sign my name with a digital signature in the future. Handwriting is so important, but unfortunately many people feel it is not.
Carrie On Tuesday, November 15 at 5:23 pm
Most kids today cannot read cursive. That means they cannot read the original U.S. Constitution! There is something wrong in not learning how to write in cursive…Should it be taught the same way I learned back in 1978? Probably not, but I do think it is a necessary skill. After all, we need to be able to "sign" important documents. I'd hate to go back to signing our names with a X!
Bernie On Tuesday, November 15 at 5:24 pm
Deja vu? Haven't we had this discussion before? I'm all FOR Handwriting, including cursive. I will forever use 2 spaces after a period. I didnt even know that "rule" was on the chopping block.
Alex On Tuesday, November 15 at 5:25 pm
Maybe it's because I'm part of the "next generation", but I find this arguement to be bit silly. I'm currently in my third year of university and cursive is severely frowned upon. Most submissions MUST be typed, or they will simply ot be accepted. When a handwritten copy is permitted, it must be printed. No exceptions (at least, that I've ever seen).
I agree that learning to learning to write by hand is crucial, especially for developing motor skills at a young age, but cursive? Most credit cars have pins now, because a signature is so easy to forge. I've rarely ever had to sign my name to anything and even then, my signature is more of a symbol than my name in cursive.
And for the historical argument, those books will eventually degrade past the point of being legible, no matter how well preserved they are. I think it's much more important that all historical works are typed up and preserved, instead of each coming generation learning to read and write cursive.
As an art form, it's beautiful. If you decide to teach your kids how to read and write cursive, that's wonderful. But it being mandatory to learn it in schools? I really don't think so.
Jean On Tuesday, November 15 at 5:28 pm
I can't believe this! My teenage son and I just had this disagreement 2 days ago. I proof read a short paper and told him he needed 2 spaces and he looked at me like I had 3 heads ( you know that teenage look). My 94 yr. old grandmother and I have the conversation about handwriting becoming obsolete. She knows about the technology our kids use but she wonders if when they're her age they will even be able to write a note. It's very interesting to talk about with her.
Lauralli On Tuesday, November 15 at 5:32 pm
I'm waffling on this one….I'm now homeschooling son number #3 (who is 7-10 years younger than his brothers) and I'm really struggling with how much time we're going to devote to this. Much time was spent on his brothers who no longer write in cursive at all. Their dad doesn't write in cursive either. Is it a guy thing? I'm not sure. But, we will be spending some time on it. (In fact, just started it a few weeks ago in second grade.) I at least want them to be able to READ cursive as many historical documents are written in it. I will not stress the beauty of it though because I'm pretty much convinced he won't use it.
Kari On Tuesday, November 15 at 5:33 pm
I am in my late fifties and stopped writing in cursive in the 6th grade when given a choice.My cursive was horrible. Printing never hurt me in college (engineering) or any jobs or volunteer work I have done.
I have taught my 4 kids italic (Getty/Dubay) and 1 of them prints.
It doesn't matter as long as they can write quickly and it is legible.
Liss On Tuesday, November 15 at 5:38 pm
Speaking genealogically (and I haven't read through all the comments, so sorry if this is duplicate)–I had to take a handwriting class for my certificate to be able to read 1500-1800's handwriting/script. It was a very eye-opening class and a big help in genealogy. I know one of the first comments was something like, "Do we want to be cut off from everything in generations past" if we don't learn at least to read cursive? So either we keep teaching it as a form of writing or we will definitely HAVE to teach it as a class so that our kids can read stuff from previous eras. Which do we as a society prefer?
Amy On Tuesday, November 15 at 5:40 pm
I'm surprised there are so many pro-cursive responses. Has anyone seen the cursive the Declaration of Independence was written in? That is definitely not the cursive that any of us read/write. Which version of cursive is everyone up in arms over saving? Is D'Nealian cursive acceptable? Is that really all that different from the italic writing a previous poster linked to? Is the italic writing really all that different from standard print? How many of you actually stick strictly to the cursive you were taught in school? Or have you created your own version of cursive? Can you still read other cursive? Having kids labor over curlique letter formations for the mere sake of abiding by conventions seems a bit silly, to me.
In addition, there are only 6 – 6.5 hours in a school day. That has not changed over the years. Can you admit that keyboarding is a valuable skill for today's kids? If so, what should be given up for the sake of learning keyboarding? Seriously, things have to be prioritized. Cursive is an artform, like calligraphy, that can be learned outside of the classroom.
As for being able to sign your name….seriously? You think there is some magical legal element to the joined letters? I have a friend who signs an X to everything – that is his signature…and it works. Bought a house, buys cars, pays his bills….there is nothing magically legally binding to cursive versus any sort of print. Forging cursive is not that hard…especially if people use standard cursive and write legibly!
Margaret On Tuesday, November 15 at 5:52 pm
Blessings upon those of you who will always have the tech equipment to record thoughts. But there are always those times in between where we need to write an address, a quick note, or an important idea or reminder to ourselves. Before I retired, I taught my student how to pick out important facts to take for their notes. Then I allowed them to use their notes for quizzes that I would give. Students had to be able to write neatly enough that they could read their own writing (and other people must be able to read it too.)
Kathleen On Tuesday, November 15 at 5:56 pm
I am absolutely appalled by the fact that people feel they should eliminate writing completely. Yes, we live in a techno world, but there are always going to be needs to write. My 4 year old grandson needs help in his fine motor skills-if we don't help him learn to hold utensils, crayons, etc. how do we expect them to have the skills to be able to use the keyboard. And what if, heaven forbid, that we lost all the electronic capabilities we now so lovingly can't do without? There may come a time in our world, as they say, where the pendulum swings back. We will have a generation that can't do anything except with their thumbs. How sad!
Ron On Tuesday, November 15 at 6:09 pm
First on the space after period: in the old days, typewriters didn't have the ability to distinguish when you were at the end of a sentence so the spaces couldn't adjust, but now computers know when a new sentence starts and fonts are programmed to adjust according to what looks right for that font.
On the second point, handwriting definitely needs to continue. Too many kids are forgetting the basics or not learning them at all. Take away computers and these kids would be lost.
Katherine On Tuesday, November 15 at 6:45 pm
I teach kids K-5 at my school throughout the day. My 4th and 5th graders learn to read cursive simply because whenever I write to them I write in cursive. I also refuse to read what I wrote to them. There is a poster in the class for them to decode, which they need to do the first few times, then they get the hang of it. I can't require writing in cursive since it isn't a part of the curriculum, but I certainly praise it and when I child asks how to form a letter I teach them. A few have asked over the years why I make them learn to read cursive and I always tell them it is good to be able to understand all the print around you so that you will know if you are being taken advantage of. They enjoy it usually when it is not required.
ck On Tuesday, November 15 at 6:53 pm
Excellent!!! I would wager that you are an awesome teacher!!
Lisa On Tuesday, November 15 at 6:56 pm
So our children will be the first since our written language began that cannot sign their names as a sign of literacy & competence? Will it be an "X" ? or a "TEXT"? Kind of reminds me of the song "In the year 2525″ your arms & legs will hang by your side…. all in the name of progress.
Karen On Tuesday, November 15 at 7:05 pm
I am bothered by the fact that cursive is being dumped at the side of the road. Fortunately my children (now young adults) still had cursive in school. I do realize the need for change as technology emerges but we also have to deal with so much bad spelling etc because of he texting etc.
JSmithRanch On Tuesday, November 15 at 7:17 pm
Ok, so heres the thing with this the world is becoming way to dependant on all these machanical devices, computers, ipads,ipods…ect there are way to many to mention…my children do not even know about most of them and me and my husband choose to keep it that way. From time to time one of them might come home and ask why one of there friends have a phone or i pod of there own or something like that but we just say because there parents choose to buy it for them…….there is personaly nothing that makes me mader than being in a store and seeing a child talking on a phone or playing games on a phone or i pod or even a DS my children have none of these items for one they are to expensive and secondly they are what is wrong with the children of today. What ever happen to spending time with your children watching movies or cooking/baking, or out on the ranch with the horses or outside in a blow up swimming pool, i mean my children have to go to work with me every single day of there life during the summer (we work for a man who owns a ranch we live on his property and run his cows and horses) our job is 24 hours a day my children have a life unlike a lot of children i know that but i think a lot of these kids today need to have to work for what they get and stay off all these technical devices and apply PIN TO PAPER the old fashion way the world might find we have a lot more wonderful writers. And let me just add because it is close to the holidays, there is NOTHING like getting a handwritten holiday card in the mail not a pre printed one…. just a thought.
P.S. if you think i am crazy…..try taking your kids technical devices away for just one week……….my friend did and she could not belive how her kids acted they were laying on the floor crying, begging for her to give it back it was at that very moment she realized she had to do something so she took them away and did not give them back for about three months and then she only gave them back for aloted amounts of time
please read On Wednesday, November 16 at 9:15 am
There are so many spelling and grammatical errors in your post it is unreadable. Please tell me you are not passing this lack of education to your children.
ck On Saturday, November 19 at 4:36 pm
Why all the weird errors?
And why does your "name" link go back to Pioneer Woman's main web page?
Marianne On Tuesday, November 15 at 7:29 pm
I work as a passport acceptance agent and have been truly disturbed over the years by how many teenagers — simply can not sign their name. Those 16 and over must sign the application and more times then not, they say they don't know how or can't. Seriously? I am even more disturbed by how many parents are surprised by this. Did they not know their child can't sign their name? I think it is a very sad trend.
Susan Arden On Tuesday, November 15 at 7:36 pm
If all schools are doing is prepping students for standardized tests, then they are not educating children. Eliminating cursive, not to mention art and music, is a "dumbing down" gesture.
Susan Arden
Amy K On Tuesday, November 15 at 7:46 pm
I didn't get the opportunity to read the rest of the comments before throwing my tow cents in, so I hope that others have also mentioned these things and if not, I'm glad that I did.
I'm a high school English teacher and I've often lamented the fact that students don't know how to a) properly take notes and b) take notes that are legibly written.
I understand that at some point in the future we may have schools where every single student can type up their notes and assignments, but that doesn't solve my primary problem-teaching handwriting makes students SLOW DOWN and process what they are writing into their notes. They must take out or leave in information according to what is most important.That process is lost when typing or downloading lecture notes.
Also-from a Secondary education viewpoint there is the written portion of the ACT and SAT to take into consideration. The test committees have actually decided to give more credit to students with clear, legible handwriting.Handwriting is not going away! Students aren't just magically 'done' with it after leaving school.
An interesting side point to that-how many careers involve handwriting? Doctors, the police force, teachers…I'm sure we can find examples in EVERY field. At the very basic-sometimes it's simply easier to jot a memo on a sticky not.
And what happens if, God forbid, our technology fails?
Yara On Tuesday, November 15 at 7:55 pm
My girls always practice their handwriting.
My oldest is starting to learn cursive this year. She doesn't like it so far. She tries to get out of it. I tell her she has no choice, she will learn cursive.
I'm thinking of getting her a calligraphy set for her birthday. I remember when I was just a bit older than she is, my parents bought me one and suddenly working on my handwriting was more important.
Cindy On Tuesday, November 15 at 8:11 pm
Why must it come down to choosing? Why can't we do both academics and penmanship? It worked in my schooling, yet somehow it does not work today. As a math teacher, I am thankful that penmanship was a part of my marks through fifth grade. I can write my mathematical expressions and equations very neatly on the board, which is a tremendous help to my students. People who say that handwriting will eventually cease to exist obviously finished their math courses a long time ago and have not given a second thought since! I would like to see them try to type up their work and solution to a rational equation.
I will encourage my son to learn cursive, even if his school skips the subject. Not only do I like the brain development aspect, but I am also a bit old-fashioned.
OldSchool On Tuesday, November 15 at 8:12 pm
These are the kinds of things that make me afraid to have kids one day…that they won't be able to communicate and will have their lives consumed by technology. Coming from an early 20something… Aside from the elegance of cursive…it is PRACTICAL–easier and quicker to write in! To be honest, writing in print is a strong challenge for me. As far as learning the basics…there are few lessons I remember learning in elementary school…but learning cursive is one of them!
Tanya On Tuesday, November 15 at 8:14 pm
What? No 2 spaces? I've never heard that! Not sure I could adjust!
Anonymous On Tuesday, November 15 at 9:05 pm
I learned cursive, but never used it. Yeah… I occasionally sign my name in it, but that's about it. Typing is much more easier and faster. Besides, some people have horrible cursive that isn't legible. With typing, there's not that problem. It's best to have a more modern view on penmanship. In a few decades from now, most to all things will be computerized. Cursive will be obsolete. Of course, it'll be hard for future generations to read historical documents, but if someone is really interested in history, it's not hard to learn – most letters are the same anyway, just with an additional squiggle here and there.
Celeste On Tuesday, November 15 at 9:27 pm
Is not writing a part of literacy? Poor handwriting is a disgrace. I have written on the typewriter or computer for many of my 92 years; also, I have hand printed. However, there are still times when I just want to write (cursive) – nothing else satisfies that urge.
As to the double space at the end of sentences, that is a reflex action with me, and I think it is good. However, I wouldn't get worked up about it.
Gail On Tuesday, November 15 at 9:38 pm
I, for one, never think handwriting will become obsolete. However, I'm not as concerned with whether that handwriting is cursive or not…..as long as it's legible!
I think it's hugely important that children know the proper mechanics of writing, because at some point they will use it and it will be a reflection on their character.
I can't stand it when people say that children won't need to know how to write in the future. Drives me bonkers! I'm all for technology, our dd, 11, has been using a computer since she was 2 yo, but I still want her to be able to write legibly and have it make sense!
Nance On Tuesday, November 15 at 9:49 pm
Handwriting is on it's way out; it is doomed, in my opinion. but worse yet, I think that speech is too. I have been telling my children and grandchildren that we will lose the ability to speak because we are putting our (short/terse/compacted) thoughts into text, email and the internet. Talking will become a chore and unnecessary.
Katie On Tuesday, November 15 at 10:09 pm
Handwriting: Yes! Definitely. A vital skill. Cursive: Not at all needed. I never liked writing in cursive and I haven't written in cursive since elementary school. Never once in my life have I thought, "Wow, I'm really missing out because I don't write in cursive." It has never even crossed my mind. I think kids should be exposed to it enough that they can decipher it, but I don't think it's a necessary skill. I can still read old books I come across where the printing style is quite different from today's and I don't have any problem figuring out what they are saying – I don't think an intelligent person who wanted to would have any difficulty figuring out how to read cursive even if they hadn't practiced writing it.
SusanH On Tuesday, November 15 at 10:40 pm
I am a firm believer that we need to continue to teach our children cursive. We have had this conversation at our house several times. I sincerely believe that as we teach our children all the new fangled things that they have to learn now, not to forget to teach the old also. I have become the recipient of all our families "old" letters. Not one of the letters is printed. How sad for future generations if they were not able to read them. I guess it would be like me sitting down with a stone tablet and trying to decipher the hieroglyphics.
faire On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:00 pm
someone may have already mentioned this, but the double space is no longer needed because Microsoft Word automatically puts 1.5 spaces after a full stop. Other programs do not necessarily do this and the double space is needed. Somehow St has been translated into a grammatical rule. I suspect because those now writing grammar rules grew up with Word.
On that note, thank you is still two words. Thankyou, as encouraged by Word, is just plain silly.
Thank You


text:
30 March 2015
THE ADVENTURESS has a gorgeous cover, doesn't it?
Emily and Colin, along with Margaret and Cécile, have traveled to Cannes to to celebrate the engagement of Jeremey, Duke of Bainbridge, to Miss Amity Wells, an American heiress about whom Emily is somewhat less than thrilled. The merrymaking is cut short with the shocking death of one of the party in an apparent suicide. Not convinced by the coroner's verdict, Emily must employ all of her investigative skills to discover the truth and avert another tragedy
On sale 13 October 2015..
More information here.
13 October 2014
Christmas fun! I have written a Christmas novella, THE STAR OF THE EAST, which goes on sale (as an e-book only) on 28 October 2014. Emily and Colin are less than pleased to be summoned to her mother's house in Kent so close to the holidays, but some requests can't be ignore.
4 March 2014
I'm thrilled to share the gorgeous cover of the newest Emily book, which goes on sale 14 October 2014. The Counterfeit Heiress opens in London, at the Devonshire House Ball, given in honor of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. This magnificent event, probably one of the most famous costume parties in history, included an on-site photographer, leaving us today with a stunning record of the Duchess's guests. To see pictures, click here. The story takes Emily, Colin, and Jeremy - who just might (to his great consternation) prove himself useful - to Paris, where Cécile is desperate for their help.
9 April 2013
This may be one of the most amazing things to happen to one of my books: Michael Alan Anderson, Assistant Professor of Musicology at the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester) and Artistic Director of Schola Antiqua Chicago, has put together a wonderful, wonderful playlist for Death in the Floating City. This fantastic set will give you an idea of the music that would have filled Besina's and Nicolò's world, as well as a little taste of what Emily could have been listening to...
See the complete playlist here.
We have a cover and we have a publication date! Behind the Shattered Glass will be available on 15 October 2013. In the months to come, I will post an excerpt as well as more information about Anglemore Park, Colin's estate. In the meantime, more information about the book is available here.
I am delighted to announce that Constable & Robinson have bought UK rights to the entire series. I have seen the cover roughs and they are phenomenal - cannot wait to share the final versions. More to come...
16 January 2013
The official title for this autumn's Lady Emily novel is Behind the Shattered Glass. The Hargreaves family are comfortably ensconced in their country estate, Anglemore Park, until a gentleman staggers into their library and falls (much to the dismay of Lady Bromley) dead onto the floor.
Burton Agnes Hall (left), one of my favorite houses in England, provided a great deal of inspiration for Anglemore.

subset: commoncrawl


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Aberdeen Caledonian Thistle Celtic Dundee United Hearts Hibernian Kilmarnock Motherwell Partick Thistle Ross County St Johnstone St Mirren
Birmingham City Blackburn Rovers Blackpool Bolton Wanderers Bournemouth Brentford Brighton & Hove Albion Cardiff City Charlton Athletic Derby County Fulham Huddersfield Town Ipswich Town Leeds United Middlesbrough Millwall Norwich City Nottingham Forest Reading Rotherham United Sheffield Wednesday Watford Wigan Athletic
Christian Eriksen leaves door open to Liverpool and Manchester United
LIVERPOOL and Manchester United's hopes of signing Christian Eriksen are still alive after the Ajax midfielder revealed: No deal is done with Borussia Dortmund yet.
Dortmund is an option that would be good for me - but it is not the only option
But the Denmark international is adamant that's not the case, raising hopes that he could be set for the Premier League.
"I still haven't heard anything - I've just seen what is in the papers," Eriksen told Danish newspaper Bold.
"Of course it is pointless if there isn't any truth to the rumours - but I've read a lot and so far nothing is completely true.
"I've said it before that Dortmund is an option that would be good for me - but it is not the only option."
Ajax's sporting director Marc Overmars has also denied that a deal had been struck with the German giants.
Overmars said: "Danish newspapers ran numerous stories about a concrete offer but Dortmund have not contacted us."
Liverpool need to bolster their midfield ranks as they look to push for a top-four place.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have seen Paul Scholes retire and team-mate Anderson has also been tipped to leave the club.


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Mogadishu: 44% of children in hospital severely hungry
Thursday, September 22, 2011
By Rainer Lang
It's a wonder the clinic is still running. In the capital of Somali, Mogadishu, 20 years of civil war have left nothing but ruins and many parts of the city look like they've been hit by an earthquake. But ironically, people are still fleeing to this apocalyptic scene. Their desperate need for food and water eclipses all else.
Husien Hassan saw no choice but to go too. Severe drought had killed most of his cattle, the food had gone and his four-year-old daughter, Fadumo, had got measles. When she was finally taken to Banadir Hospital, Fadumo was so sick and weak there seemed only a slim chance of survival.
Banadir specialises in treating children under five. Right now there are 260 children among the 400 patients. "Often it is too late [by the time] the parents bring them," the doctor said. "Especially, when they are not only severely malnourished and dehydrated but also have measles or diarrhoea."
Could not afford to leave
Every day, about 1000 hungry refugees arrive in Mogadishu and with them, the risk of an epidemic. Of particular concern is the recent increase in the number of cases of measles and acute watery diarrhoea. But medical care in this city destroyed by civil war is nearly non-existent. Health centres and hospitals are dilapidated. In addition, there is a shortage of medicines and medical equipment.
Paradoxically, needs increased after Al Shabaab militia retreated from Mogadishu. The militia did not allow Husien Hassan and his family to leave their home for free. He had to pay "taxes" of US$ 2.50 for each head of cattle to Al Shabaab. But for many families in his neighbourhood, this was unaffordable or a heavy burden.
Tons of medicines
In the last few months, 44 per cent of children admitted to Banadir have showed signs of acute malnutrition. A further 14 per cent are severely malnourished. Somali doctors are desperate: 40 children die each week. Besides malnutrition, it is diarrhoea, malaria and measles that are the main causes of death in children. The immune systems of their weakened bodies are unable to withstand disease. Very few children are sufficiently vaccinated.
In early February, ACT member Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) provided Banadir and three others in Mogadishu with six months supply of medicines and medical supplies. Stocks are already rapidly running out. It has given US $720,000 for extra medical supplies. Recently, DKH flew in more than 15 tons of medicines and equipment. With affiliated mobile health services, which care for displaced people in camps in and around Mogadishu, the hospital can reach some 100,000 displaced and drought-hit people.
Husein Hassan left his 15-year-old son with his grandmother back in the village to look after the 10 animals that are still alive. He would love to go back but sees no chance. His other children are in bad shape too. He simply cannot leave his little girl Fadumo alone in the hospital. She still needs treatment. But today doctors bring good news: she will survive.


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Contact Information
309 Garland Hall
Research Interests
- Work and Occupations
- Social Inequality
- Social Movements
PhD, University of Chicago, 1980
Curriculum Vitae
Daniel B. Cornfield
Professor of Sociology
Editor, Work and Occupations
Affiliated Faculty, Political Science
Harvie Branscomb Distinguished Professor Award, 2008-09
Fellow, Labor and Employment Relations Association, 2013
What factors—social, political, economic, and cultural–influence and shape the formation of inclusive, diverse, democratic communities?
Over the last half-century, the transition from manufacturing toward a two-tier service economy has been accompanied by the individualization of risk and sharpening income inequality. These trends have diminished societal capacity for addressing the marginalization of social and cultural minorities, and for realizing inclusive, diverse, democratic communities.
I am presently engaged in two book projects on reconstituting community in a diverse and individualistic age. The first is a study of occupational community-building among an increasingly diverse workforce of Nashville musicians whose corporate art world is rapidly transitioning toward an entrepreneurial art world of independent, do-it-yourself, self-contained bands and artists. The second study addresses how pre- and post-movement biographical and occupational trajectories of 1960-era Nashville civil rights activists, trained in non-violence in movement workshops, contributed to the continued mobilization of the civil rights movement and the diffusion of movement messages of non-violence and social integration.
Selected Publications
Cornfield, Daniel. 2014. "Integrative Organizing in Polarized Times: Toward Dynamic Trade Unionism in the Global North." pp. 151-168 in Lee Adler, Maite Tapia, and Lowell Turner (eds.), Mobilizing against Inequality: Unions, Immigrant Workers, and the Crisis of Capitalism. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2014.
Cornfield, Daniel. 2006. "Immigration, Economic Restructuring, and Labor Ruptures: From the Amalgamated to Change to Win." WorkingUSA: The Journal of Labor and Society 9: 215-23.
Cornfield, Daniel, Angela Arzubiaga, Rhonda BeLue, Susan L. Brooks, Tony N. Brown, Oscar Miller, Douglas D. Perkins, Peggy A. Thoits, and Lynn S. Walker. 2003. Final Report of the Immigrant Community Assessment, commissioned by Mayor Bill Purcell, Nashville, Tennessee.
Cornfield, Daniel B. and Bill Fletcher. 1998. "Institutional Constraints on Social Movement 'Frame Extension': Shifts in the Legislative Agenda of the American Federation of Labor, 1881-1955." Social Forces 76(4): 1305-1321.
Cornfield, Daniel. 1989. Becoming a Mighty Voice: Conflict and Change in the United Furniture Workers of America. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.
Cornfield, Daniel. 1986. "Declining Union Membership in the Post‑World War II Era: The United Furniture Workers of America, 1939‑1982." American Journal of Sociology 91(5): 1112‑53.


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Medical Clinical Assisting
See the contact page
for information on who
to contact for each EMS area
Home > Academics > Ems > Orientations > Medical Assisting > Assessment
Medical Assisting
Assessment Scores
Students must have current assessment scores on file for reading, English, and math. A minimum score requirement for English or math is not required to start this program. However, for the reading requirement, students must document that they have a college level reading score. A college level reading score can be documented by:
- Accuplacer reading score of 80 or above
- ACT reading score of 17
- SAT verbal score of 430
- Completion of reading 090 (with a "C" or greater) or equivalent
Assessment score information must be provided to the testing center in the college center. Visit the testing center web site for further information.


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Compare Care Homes >> Care Homes in England >> Care Homes in Cheshire >> Care Homes in Ellesmere Port >> Astbury Lodge
Astbury Lodge
Description of Astbury Lodge
Below is what Compare Care Homes knows about this care home provider. The words 'we', 'us' and 'our' do not necessarily refer to Compare Care Homes. Also, references to inspections are likely to relate to inspections by the care home regulator for this part of the UK.
Astbury Lodge is a large, purpose-built home set within spacious grounds approximately one mile from Ellesmere Port town centre. It caters for 41 residents and has two specialist ten bed households, The Meadows and The Poppies, which provide care for people with dementia.
Manager, Steve Maddock, is a well-qualified and experienced care professional. He holds care qualifications, coaching and assessor awards, first aid training and the Registered Managers Award. He has worked in the care sector since 1983, first with Cheshire County Council before joining CLS. He has supported managers in a number of homes and worked as a Home Manager since 2002.
All areas within Astbury Lodge are now smoke-free, including the lounges, each of which offers a different atmosphere. Several lounges offer the choice of a television and video, whilst others offer an opportunity to relax quietly, whilst maybe reading a book. At least one of the lounges is fitted with a hearing loop, a discreet device to improve sound reception and aid those with hearing difficulties.
There are several dining rooms where meals are served, or residents can opt to eat in their own rooms if they prefer.
The rooms, dining rooms and lounges in The Poppies and The Meadows households include special design features to compensate for disability and aid residents' ability to find their way around easily.
The garden to the rear of Astbury Lodge has been renovated by The Princes Trust, who chose Astbury Lodge for their community project. It benefits from a greenhouse, bird feeders and a number of quiet areas where residents can sit whilst enjoying the elements.
The front patio and side garden are great places to sit and unwind in the summer whilst enjoying the bird and plant life.
A number of services are available to residents. For example, a hairdresser visits on a weekly basis; newspaper and magazine deliveries are arranged with a local newsagent. There is a separate charge for these services, which is charged to residents on a weekly basis. There is also a shop / trolley service is available for items such as greeting cards, confectionery and personal toiletries.
We have an activities co-ordinator who arranges a wide choice of activities, according to residents' interests. These include weekly activities such as carpet bowls, bingo, quizzes, The Big Film and local outings within walking distance, as well as other events which take place monthly such as a mobile library, memory box, external entertainers and Sunshine Singers.
Astbury Lodge operates the CLS Marvellous Mealtimes initiative and aims to make meals as pleasant and positive an occasion as possible. We offer a varied and wholesome diet, and cater for any special dietary requirements. In addition, we cater for social events and special occasions, and, at the request of residents or their relatives, for organised larger parties such as family celebrations.
A Church of England service is held monthly at Astbury Lodge and a Roman Catholic priest visits on request. There are a number of local churches within a five mile radius, which are attended by residents.
Astbury Lodge is a five minute walk away from a selection of local shops, and the village library is a ten minute walk away. There are also two garden centres within easy walking distance, both of which have tea shops to enjoy. By car, Cheshire Oaks retail outlet village is just ten minutes away and 15 minutes will take you to Chester Zoo or the famous Ness gardens, renowned for its rhododendrons. We are a 25 minute drive away from Liverpool and the Albert Dock.
Astbury Lodge Features
Pets Allowed
Private Garden
Smoking Allowed
(within the grounds)
Disabled Access
Special Diets
(other than English)
Place Of Worship
(includes a quiet room)
Organised Activities
Access to support services (such as an optician, nutritionist, chiropodist, physiotherapist)
Can deal with behavioural issues
Care provided in the resident's home
Communal dining area/lounge area
Daily baths/showers
Dignity Champion
End of life support
Family/carer can stay for the night
Flexible meal times
Flexible visiting times
Independent living training
Individual care plan for each resident
Local authority run care homes
On-site hairdresser available
Palliative Care
Support for residents to spend short breaks at family homes
Warden-assisted sheltered housing
Emergency call system in room
Internet Access / WiFi
Telephone point in bedroom
TV point in bedroom
Residents can bring their own furniture
Location and Transport
Near public transport
Near shops and/or amenities
Own mini-bus or equivalent
Care Home Features
Close care unit
Lift/stairlift access to upper floor
Secure entrance/keypad access
Separate dementia unit
The above rating has been calculated from aggregate data of submitted reviews of user experiences relating to this care home. It does not represent the opinion or view of Compare Care Homes, its staff or its directors. The rating may change dependant on the opinions contained within the submitted user reviews.
Care Services
Care Home Type: Conventional Care Home
Total Rooms: 41 places
Day Care
Emergency Placements
Long Term
Short Stay
Trial Stay
Over-65's Care
Physical Disability
Diets Catered For: All Diets Catered For
|Room Types
|Dementia / Alzheimer's
| Single
|Over-65's Care
| Single
Single En Suite
|Physical Disability
|Nothing Available
GP Services
Retain own GP: Yes
GP rounds: Not stated
GP round durations: Not stated
Result of CQC's latest check on Astbury Lodge.
The above information is provided in real-time from the Care Home Regulator for England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).