Cursive Handwriting

[cinok]

Do you feel that learning cursive writing is important.

[farmgal]

Hi Cinok! I have to say, yes, I do. But not as important as having legible print. Alas, the days of the cursive essay are long gone, replaced by word-docs and spellcheck. And the neatly penned thank you note? replaced by emails and texting. I will say this: my kids hated cursive until I got a nice old fashioned ink pen, you know, the kind w/ a cartridge. It makes the writing real smooth. They also found it easier to copy vocab and spelling words out of a workbook than just dry handwriting practice. Well, that is just my opinion!

[cinok]

Reason why ask is my son is getting hammered by his English/reading teacher for his handwriting not being legible. Up to this piont no one in the past has forced him to write in cursive and not much time was taught teaching it. Its effecting his grades. I went to catholic school with nuns and they hammered it into us (my knuckles still hurt when i have those flashbacks). But I write in print today or like you said type. My wife is a nurse and the have to write in print on all charts

[reyecat]

I do think it's important. *That said.... Are you sure the teacher is spending the time helping your child the way he needs to be? *Are you sure he's getting the repetition he needs so he doesn't have to think too hard before he writes a letter. *you know your child better than anyone and it's your responsibility to make sure he learns the things he needs to (whatever *you* decide that is) whether he's in the class room or not. * *Can you go sit in the classroom (you or your wife) to make sure she's giving the time he needs to complete this. * Can you spend extra time with him at home on the weekend just practicing or get a workbook from a curriculum store to help him. *sit with him and correct his posture and his handwriting as needed... in a firm, gentle way and eventually he will get it.
Even just 10-15 minutes everyday will help him.

[cinok]

Reyecat, that's my point they did not spend much time on it during the last 2 years he is in 5th grade and with all the changes in education I thought it was a thing of the past. This is the only teacher that enforces cursive writing and after the Christmas holidays he can use his computer for papers and such. I realize that I need to and I do invest in his education, we spend approx 2 1/2 hrs on homework and reviewing what they did in class his grades are great in math,science,spelling A or B this is actually his best year. We did send him to Sylvan for extra reading help for a year. This effects his head more then anything else.

[reyecat]

whoa! I can't believe that only one teacher enforces it when the others do not... That really is unfair to the children.

It sounds like you are teaching him more than the teachers are.

If they knew it was coming up with this one teacher then why did they leave it for her/him to get down his throat about it. that was incredibly selfish of the teachers that came before this one.

I was thinking he was in gr. 2 and just learning cursive or something....

Poor boy. he sounds like he has a very unbalanced life...mostly surrounding academics and not the things he's good at. Is he good at making things? Is he good at telling stories, what is he good at? Maybe you have to be okay with him getting lower grades and spending the 2.5 hrs on stuff that makes him feel good about himself. right now It sounds like too much focus on school for a 9-10 yr old.

Maybe once he starts feeling good about himself he will be able to tackle something that's more difficult for him (handwriting along with other academics)with renewed
vigor.

My b-i-l put his foot down with his school when his children were in elementary... he said... "they are very young children, you have them for 6 hrs of schooling a day, they should not be coming home with homework if you are doing your job and making the most of your time with my child. Make sure they stay on task during the day, you're the teacher and that's what I pay you for. You're the teacher and that's what your line of work is. My elementary aged children will not be spending time at home doing home-work! when they are at home they need to be able to be kids!"

Anyway, I'm not suggesting you do that but It does sound like overkill in the academics department for your 5th grader.

I would definetely have a talk with the teacher about this. And if you fail to get satisfaction have a meeting with the teacher AND the principle.

[cinok]

We transfered into to the school when he was in 3rd grade. From what I understand they spen alot of time on this in the prek to 2nd grade, the schoolalso had to change thier philosiphy in a few subjects due to no child left behind . It's a small rural school good kids, good morales; we still have a Christmas program with the nativity scene and all. Breakdown on the home work 1/2 to 1 hr on math, there is always reading and social studies and science reading. They also have misc worksheets and vocab works during the week. I also like to answer the questions they have after reading about the between the lines stuff. The good thing is he has a positive attitude about school and noys learning. Since he is on the school football team he has to maintain his elegibilty to play. It was GOOD day after school today he brought home a test that he got a 90 on.