Do your kids use pencils at school K-2?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, our kids use pencils and then those erasable frixion pens. I am happy our school is also brining back cursive writing and our teacher is kind to encourage the top 5 best writers (by class and teacher’s votes {worth double points}) will get nice fountain pens as a gift from her own pocket.

It’s small but such gestures really encourages good penmanship which is lacking so much in today’s e-world

I used to transfer written words and diagnoses from the medical staff onto the computer around early 2000s. About half of the medical staff used cursive that was unreadable a lot of the times. We had to send many back so records were delayed. The errors in patients records were more than likely to be from poor cursive writing. It sure wasn’t the ones who printed.

Medical staff now input a lot of information into their computers themselves. Lose the cursive and work on fast and accurate typing if you want to help your child in their future jobs. This would include most professions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me if you think I am old fashioned, but I am starting to think my child is not doing enough writing and doing too much on the 1-1 iPad. He seems to be hitting milestones (like being able to print his name in kindergarten, reading by 1st grade), but I seem to remember from my school days at a crappy elementary stilldoing writing by hand, copying sentences, working on spelling lists, and doing little written projects. Nothing complicated, but maybe working on copying a little book of verse and then making matching art. Or filling out little questionnaires about family.

What are you seeing at your K-2? Are these little meaningless busy projects or are they important for learning? DS’ handwriting is horrible.

My child is in a NY PK-12 private and there are no screens in K-2 (I don’t know when screens are introduced). Handwriting is very important and is prioritized, especially in PK and K. I’m happy about that because studies suggest that you retain information much better when you write it down. And reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. Kids get too much screen time as it is.

Obviously handwriting is prioritized in the early grades. They are just starting out. There’s no reason to use electronics in early elementary so that’s good. It’s true you can retain information better if you read it and write it down. If using a Chromebook you are writing it down. Some people prefer to write it on paper, some on Chromebook. It should be a choice by high school. I was one of the students who couldn’t write fast enough to take useful notes. My letters came out jumbled and I didn’t have dyslexia. So many of us would have benefited from computers 30 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me if you think I am old fashioned, but I am starting to think my child is not doing enough writing and doing too much on the 1-1 iPad. He seems to be hitting milestones (like being able to print his name in kindergarten, reading by 1st grade), but I seem to remember from my school days at a crappy elementary stilldoing writing by hand, copying sentences, working on spelling lists, and doing little written projects. Nothing complicated, but maybe working on copying a little book of verse and then making matching art. Or filling out little questionnaires about family.

What are you seeing at your K-2? Are these little meaningless busy projects or are they important for learning? DS’ handwriting is horrible.

My child is in a NY PK-12 private and there are no screens in K-2 (I don’t know when screens are introduced). Handwriting is very important and is prioritized, especially in PK and K. I’m happy about that because studies suggest that you retain information much better when you write it down. And reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. Kids get too much screen time as it is.

Obviously handwriting is prioritized in the early grades. They are just starting out. There’s no reason to use electronics in early elementary so that’s good. It’s true you can retain information better if you read it and write it down. If using a Chromebook you are writing it down. Some people prefer to write it on paper, some on Chromebook. It should be a choice by high school. I was one of the students who couldn’t write fast enough to take useful notes. My letters came out jumbled and I didn’t have dyslexia. So many of us would have benefited from computers 30 years ago.

Typing and writing are not the same thing. There are studies and evidence that shows much more of the brain is activity when handwriting vs typing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me if you think I am old fashioned, but I am starting to think my child is not doing enough writing and doing too much on the 1-1 iPad. He seems to be hitting milestones (like being able to print his name in kindergarten, reading by 1st grade), but I seem to remember from my school days at a crappy elementary stilldoing writing by hand, copying sentences, working on spelling lists, and doing little written projects. Nothing complicated, but maybe working on copying a little book of verse and then making matching art. Or filling out little questionnaires about family.

What are you seeing at your K-2? Are these little meaningless busy projects or are they important for learning? DS’ handwriting is horrible.

My child is in a NY PK-12 private and there are no screens in K-2 (I don’t know when screens are introduced). Handwriting is very important and is prioritized, especially in PK and K. I’m happy about that because studies suggest that you retain information much better when you write it down. And reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. Kids get too much screen time as it is.

Obviously handwriting is prioritized in the early grades. They are just starting out. There’s no reason to use electronics in early elementary so that’s good. It’s true you can retain information better if you read it and write it down. If using a Chromebook you are writing it down. Some people prefer to write it on paper, some on Chromebook. It should be a choice by high school. I was one of the students who couldn’t write fast enough to take useful notes. My letters came out jumbled and I didn’t have dyslexia. So many of us would have benefited from computers 30 years ago.

Typing and writing are not the same thing. There are studies and evidence that shows much more of the brain is activity when handwriting vs typing

*activated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me if you think I am old fashioned, but I am starting to think my child is not doing enough writing and doing too much on the 1-1 iPad. He seems to be hitting milestones (like being able to print his name in kindergarten, reading by 1st grade), but I seem to remember from my school days at a crappy elementary stilldoing writing by hand, copying sentences, working on spelling lists, and doing little written projects. Nothing complicated, but maybe working on copying a little book of verse and then making matching art. Or filling out little questionnaires about family.

What are you seeing at your K-2? Are these little meaningless busy projects or are they important for learning? DS’ handwriting is horrible.

My child is in a NY PK-12 private and there are no screens in K-2 (I don’t know when screens are introduced). Handwriting is very important and is prioritized, especially in PK and K. I’m happy about that because studies suggest that you retain information much better when you write it down. And reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. Kids get too much screen time as it is.

Obviously handwriting is prioritized in the early grades. They are just starting out. There’s no reason to use electronics in early elementary so that’s good. It’s true you can retain information better if you read it and write it down. If using a Chromebook you are writing it down. Some people prefer to write it on paper, some on Chromebook. It should be a choice by high school. I was one of the students who couldn’t write fast enough to take useful notes. My letters came out jumbled and I didn’t have dyslexia. So many of us would have benefited from computers 30 years ago.

Well no, that’s not obvious and it’s not what many parents are seeing. That’s what this whole thread is about. Most kids are using electronics at school K-2, many as their primary learning tool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me if you think I am old fashioned, but I am starting to think my child is not doing enough writing and doing too much on the 1-1 iPad. He seems to be hitting milestones (like being able to print his name in kindergarten, reading by 1st grade), but I seem to remember from my school days at a crappy elementary stilldoing writing by hand, copying sentences, working on spelling lists, and doing little written projects. Nothing complicated, but maybe working on copying a little book of verse and then making matching art. Or filling out little questionnaires about family.

What are you seeing at your K-2? Are these little meaningless busy projects or are they important for learning? DS’ handwriting is horrible.

My child is in a NY PK-12 private and there are no screens in K-2 (I don’t know when screens are introduced). Handwriting is very important and is prioritized, especially in PK and K. I’m happy about that because studies suggest that you retain information much better when you write it down. And reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. Kids get too much screen time as it is.

Obviously handwriting is prioritized in the early grades. They are just starting out. There’s no reason to use electronics in early elementary so that’s good. It’s true you can retain information better if you read it and write it down. If using a Chromebook you are writing it down. Some people prefer to write it on paper, some on Chromebook. It should be a choice by high school. I was one of the students who couldn’t write fast enough to take useful notes. My letters came out jumbled and I didn’t have dyslexia. So many of us would have benefited from computers 30 years ago.

Well no, that’s not obvious and it’s not what many parents are seeing. That’s what this whole thread is about. Most kids are using electronics at school K-2, many as their primary learning tool.

I’m sorry, I assumed that lower grades are where the majority of learning to write was taught.

Computers aren’t helpful in those grades and it’s too bad they are being used. I wonder if that’s the norm or just a small minority.

This thread is also about older kids using Chromebooks. I do think that chromebooks are useful in upper grades for a portion of the day. But only after the basics are taught through the third grade or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me if you think I am old fashioned, but I am starting to think my child is not doing enough writing and doing too much on the 1-1 iPad. He seems to be hitting milestones (like being able to print his name in kindergarten, reading by 1st grade), but I seem to remember from my school days at a crappy elementary stilldoing writing by hand, copying sentences, working on spelling lists, and doing little written projects. Nothing complicated, but maybe working on copying a little book of verse and then making matching art. Or filling out little questionnaires about family.

What are you seeing at your K-2? Are these little meaningless busy projects or are they important for learning? DS’ handwriting is horrible.

My child is in a NY PK-12 private and there are no screens in K-2 (I don’t know when screens are introduced). Handwriting is very important and is prioritized, especially in PK and K. I’m happy about that because studies suggest that you retain information much better when you write it down. And reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. Kids get too much screen time as it is.

Obviously handwriting is prioritized in the early grades. They are just starting out. There’s no reason to use electronics in early elementary so that’s good. It’s true you can retain information better if you read it and write it down. If using a Chromebook you are writing it down. Some people prefer to write it on paper, some on Chromebook. It should be a choice by high school. I was one of the students who couldn’t write fast enough to take useful notes. My letters came out jumbled and I didn’t have dyslexia. So many of us would have benefited from computers 30 years ago.

Well no, that’s not obvious and it’s not what many parents are seeing. That’s what this whole thread is about. Most kids are using electronics at school K-2, many as their primary learning tool.

I’m sorry, I assumed that lower grades are where the majority of learning to write was taught.

Computers aren’t helpful in those grades and it’s too bad they are being used. I wonder if that’s the norm or just a small minority.

This thread is also about older kids using Chromebooks. I do think that chromebooks are useful in upper grades for a portion of the day. But only after the basics are taught through the third grade or so.

First of all, the thread title specifically calls out K-2?

Do you have an elementary school kid? The fact that you don't know that tech usage dominates the primary grades is...odd. Parents everywhere complain about this regularly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me if you think I am old fashioned, but I am starting to think my child is not doing enough writing and doing too much on the 1-1 iPad. He seems to be hitting milestones (like being able to print his name in kindergarten, reading by 1st grade), but I seem to remember from my school days at a crappy elementary stilldoing writing by hand, copying sentences, working on spelling lists, and doing little written projects. Nothing complicated, but maybe working on copying a little book of verse and then making matching art. Or filling out little questionnaires about family.

What are you seeing at your K-2? Are these little meaningless busy projects or are they important for learning? DS’ handwriting is horrible.

My child is in a NY PK-12 private and there are no screens in K-2 (I don’t know when screens are introduced). Handwriting is very important and is prioritized, especially in PK and K. I’m happy about that because studies suggest that you retain information much better when you write it down. And reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. Kids get too much screen time as it is.

Obviously handwriting is prioritized in the early grades. They are just starting out. There’s no reason to use electronics in early elementary so that’s good. It’s true you can retain information better if you read it and write it down. If using a Chromebook you are writing it down. Some people prefer to write it on paper, some on Chromebook. It should be a choice by high school. I was one of the students who couldn’t write fast enough to take useful notes. My letters came out jumbled and I didn’t have dyslexia. So many of us would have benefited from computers 30 years ago.

Well no, that’s not obvious and it’s not what many parents are seeing. That’s what this whole thread is about. Most kids are using electronics at school K-2, many as their primary learning tool.

I’m sorry, I assumed that lower grades are where the majority of learning to write was taught.

Computers aren’t helpful in those grades and it’s too bad they are being used. I wonder if that’s the norm or just a small minority.

This thread is also about older kids using Chromebooks. I do think that chromebooks are useful in upper grades for a portion of the day. But only after the basics are taught through the third grade or so.

First of all, the thread title specifically calls out K-2?

Do you have an elementary school kid? The fact that you don't know that tech usage dominates the primary grades is...odd. Parents everywhere complain about this regularly.

I do and 6th grade is still elementary school. Tech usage might dominate some school systems but not all. I see an ok balance. People who want the old ways back with cursive writing and no technology aren’t being realistic. When doing research are kids going to the library and getting out books or is their first step going on a computer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me if you think I am old fashioned, but I am starting to think my child is not doing enough writing and doing too much on the 1-1 iPad. He seems to be hitting milestones (like being able to print his name in kindergarten, reading by 1st grade), but I seem to remember from my school days at a crappy elementary stilldoing writing by hand, copying sentences, working on spelling lists, and doing little written projects. Nothing complicated, but maybe working on copying a little book of verse and then making matching art. Or filling out little questionnaires about family.

What are you seeing at your K-2? Are these little meaningless busy projects or are they important for learning? DS’ handwriting is horrible.

My child is in a NY PK-12 private and there are no screens in K-2 (I don’t know when screens are introduced). Handwriting is very important and is prioritized, especially in PK and K. I’m happy about that because studies suggest that you retain information much better when you write it down. And reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. Kids get too much screen time as it is.

Obviously handwriting is prioritized in the early grades. They are just starting out. There’s no reason to use electronics in early elementary so that’s good. It’s true you can retain information better if you read it and write it down. If using a Chromebook you are writing it down. Some people prefer to write it on paper, some on Chromebook. It should be a choice by high school. I was one of the students who couldn’t write fast enough to take useful notes. My letters came out jumbled and I didn’t have dyslexia. So many of us would have benefited from computers 30 years ago.

Well no, that’s not obvious and it’s not what many parents are seeing. That’s what this whole thread is about. Most kids are using electronics at school K-2, many as their primary learning tool.

I’m sorry, I assumed that lower grades are where the majority of learning to write was taught.

Computers aren’t helpful in those grades and it’s too bad they are being used. I wonder if that’s the norm or just a small minority.

This thread is also about older kids using Chromebooks. I do think that chromebooks are useful in upper grades for a portion of the day. But only after the basics are taught through the third grade or so.

Unfortunately chromebooks dominate all grades now. Public and private. While some privates keep low tech, most don’t. They even use AI to “teach” kids. I toured a private 1st grade classroom recently, where each kid has a tablet. The teaching was explaining an exercise the kids were doing: They had these word cards and they had to make sentences with them. She said they used to have to copy the sentence they made in their notebook and turn that in. But now,(as she explained) they only have to snap a picture of their sentance and send it to the teacher and it makes it SO much easier for her!

The technology makes a classroom less work for teachers, but poor learning for kids. I can’t see us going back though. Teachers rely on it now from both a decreased workload and behavioral standpoint. And kids don’t know how to work without them or pay attention

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me if you think I am old fashioned, but I am starting to think my child is not doing enough writing and doing too much on the 1-1 iPad. He seems to be hitting milestones (like being able to print his name in kindergarten, reading by 1st grade), but I seem to remember from my school days at a crappy elementary stilldoing writing by hand, copying sentences, working on spelling lists, and doing little written projects. Nothing complicated, but maybe working on copying a little book of verse and then making matching art. Or filling out little questionnaires about family.

What are you seeing at your K-2? Are these little meaningless busy projects or are they important for learning? DS’ handwriting is horrible.

My child is in a NY PK-12 private and there are no screens in K-2 (I don’t know when screens are introduced). Handwriting is very important and is prioritized, especially in PK and K. I’m happy about that because studies suggest that you retain information much better when you write it down. And reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. Kids get too much screen time as it is.

Obviously handwriting is prioritized in the early grades. They are just starting out. There’s no reason to use electronics in early elementary so that’s good. It’s true you can retain information better if you read it and write it down. If using a Chromebook you are writing it down. Some people prefer to write it on paper, some on Chromebook. It should be a choice by high school. I was one of the students who couldn’t write fast enough to take useful notes. My letters came out jumbled and I didn’t have dyslexia. So many of us would have benefited from computers 30 years ago.

Well no, that’s not obvious and it’s not what many parents are seeing. That’s what this whole thread is about. Most kids are using electronics at school K-2, many as their primary learning tool.

I’m sorry, I assumed that lower grades are where the majority of learning to write was taught.

Computers aren’t helpful in those grades and it’s too bad they are being used. I wonder if that’s the norm or just a small minority.

This thread is also about older kids using Chromebooks. I do think that chromebooks are useful in upper grades for a portion of the day. But only after the basics are taught through the third grade or so.

First of all, the thread title specifically calls out K-2?

Do you have an elementary school kid? The fact that you don't know that tech usage dominates the primary grades is...odd. Parents everywhere complain about this regularly.

I do and 6th grade is still elementary school. Tech usage might dominate some school systems but not all. I see an ok balance. People who want the old ways back with cursive writing and no technology aren’t being realistic. When doing research are kids going to the library and getting out books or is their first step going on a computer?

I mean, I taught my kids to do both. Rising 8th grader still does both. Don't really care what their (public) school taught them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, our kids use pencils and then those erasable frixion pens. I am happy our school is also brining back cursive writing and our teacher is kind to encourage the top 5 best writers (by class and teacher’s votes {worth double points}) will get nice fountain pens as a gift from her own pocket.

It’s small but such gestures really encourages good penmanship which is lacking so much in today’s e-world

I used to transfer written words and diagnoses from the medical staff onto the computer around early 2000s. About half of the medical staff used cursive that was unreadable a lot of the times. We had to send many back so records were delayed. The errors in patients records were more than likely to be from poor cursive writing. It sure wasn’t the ones who printed.

Medical staff now input a lot of information into their computers themselves. Lose the cursive and work on fast and accurate typing if you want to help your child in their future jobs. This would include most professions.

The good news is that a grade schooler is probably 15-20 years away from making medical diagnoses. Plenty of time to learn to use a computer before they start residency.