Is your child learning cursive handwriting in school?

[Anonymous]

This dates me, but I had an intern once ask me could I please stop writing in cursive at work because they couldn't understand what it said (on post-it notes, document drafts, etc.). And, it wasn't because my cursive was messy since others at work never had that problem and also wrote in cursive themselves.

[Anonymous]

My 2nd grader in MCPS hasn't learned cursive yet, so I think it is a 3rd grade thing in MCPS. FWIW, friends with kids in a local Catholic school said their kids started cursive in 2nd (while friends with kids in another local MoCo Catholic didn't start until 3rd).

[Anonymous]

My 2nd grade child (in MCPS) was diagnosed recently with dyslexia and dysgraphia. Our evaluator suggested we look into the Handwriting Without Tears program. On HWT's website, it says the cursive program begins with 3rd graders due to better hand-eye coordination.

Seems like late 2nd grade and "all of" 3rd grade is not really behind the curve.

My child had to do a math project which involved getting other peoples' signatures confirming the math information was correct. Two of her 4th grade friends signed, both in cursive. Both did a lovely job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montessori teacher here. At my Montessori school (Primary Classroom) we teach cursive.

My son is in Montessori (Primary) and is learning cursive. He loves it, which surprises (and delights) me. It's pretty cool, actually.

FYI--We have one of those Melissa and Doug write and wipe placemats with the traceable cursive letters at home, and he really enjoys "practicing." I like it because it keeps him busy while I'm making dinner, lol.

[Anonymous]

My DS is in Catholic school and started learning cursive letters in 2d grade. Now, in 3rd grade, he is expected to complete all of his work in cursive. I'm very happy about this requirement because his cursive handwriting is 1000% neater and easier to read than his printing. He also writes faster.

These stories of children not being taught to read/write cursive make me think that cursive writing is going to become the next "stick shift."

[Anonymous]

I will make sure my child becomes comfortable writing cursive AND driving a stick shift when the time comes - LOL!

The story of two children using cursive writing as a 'secret language' to pass notes that none of the other kids could read is just.... unbelievable, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[Anonymous]

I learned cursive in third grade (in FCPS back in the 1980's). If my daughter is not taught this, it will definitely be something we do at home!

[Anonymous]

2nd Grade/3rd. Everything now required in cursive (6th grader).
Also required to use fountain pen--the get a "fountain pen license" when they learn to write neatly enough to earn. DS was ssooooo proud when he got his!
German School, Potomac MD

[Anonymous]

LOL! PP, I KNEW your child was in German school. We used to live in Germany and they are so fond of the fountain pen. Luckily we moved before my kids truly reached fountain pen age (although we did buy one for the older one's schule tute) because both of my kids are lefties. Even the left-handed fountain pens are a disaster for lefties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LOL! PP, I KNEW your child was in German school. We used to live in Germany and they are so fond of the fountain pen. Luckily we moved before my kids truly reached fountain pen age (although we did buy one for the older one's schule tute) because both of my kids are lefties. Even the left-handed fountain pens are a disaster for lefties.

I grew up with a mom who was raised in Germany. She used a fountain pen and talked it up as so special and for 'real' writers. I am a leftie and could never get the hang of it. Felt like scratching my fingers against a chalkboard. Glad to hear I'm not the only leftie with a problem!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 2nd grade child (in MCPS) was diagnosed recently with dyslexia and dysgraphia. Our evaluator suggested we look into the Handwriting Without Tears program. On HWT's website, it says the cursive program begins with 3rd graders due to better hand-eye coordination.

And I have read that the opposite is true: Early cursive writing improves hand-eye coordination (and fluid, fast reading, word comprehension, etc), not the other way around.

[Anonymous]

An interesting article from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/us/28cursive.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LOL! PP, I KNEW your child was in German school. We used to live in Germany and they are so fond of the fountain pen. Luckily we moved before my kids truly reached fountain pen age (although we did buy one for the older one's schule tute) because both of my kids are lefties. Even the left-handed fountain pens are a disaster for lefties.

German PP here. Yeah, my left handed friends had problems with it, and with smearing the wet ink as they wrote (or distorting themselves to avoid it). Previous generations were just forced to write "correctly" ( ) so that it wasn't a "problem".

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An interesting article from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/us/28cursive.html

Interesting thread. Thanks for the article too. I had a friend fail the bar exam because the bar examiners couldn't read her handwriting. Ouch! She was able to type it on the next round, but painful to take it again. I agree that it is a useful skill for reading and quick writing.

I'm curious whether any schools offer typing class? Is that just something kids learn with their iPads and laptops? I remember suffering through my typing class in junior high in the 80's.