Cursive Writing

I never thought cursive writing would go the way of the dinosaurs, but I really see it as a possibility.  Computers, of course, paved the way for cursive’s extinction.  Now that we text, email, etc. there seems to be no need to use cursive.  There is a generation of educators in charge now that came up through the ranks relying heavily, if not solely, on electronic devices.  As a result, cursive, and dare I say handwriting in general, is not a focus in many lesson plans these days.  When I worked holiday hours for Target a few years ago I am sad to report that I had several instances where a teenager or young adult signed their names in print.  Because they didn’t know cursive.  Seriously, they could not sign their own name.

I am teaching my boys to read and write in cursive.  I don’t want it to be a dead language to them.  We are using Handwriting Without Tears, which is an excellent resource for all aspects of handwriting.  Ds3 has actually completed the course and now I have him do various copywork to practice.  He just finished writing America The Beautiful and as a bonus has it memorized.  :)  Poor ds has a few issues against him in his quest for decent handwriting.  He is left handed.  He is on the autism spectrum and writing is definitely a challenge.  He has to go slow and really concentrate, but when he does he succeeds.   Case in point…

Today I was a bit unprepared with his copywork so I had him practice writing his name and address.  He has improved so much and I am proud of him for not giving up.  I am also proud that ds4 has asked to join in with cursive instruction, even though he barely has a good grasp of manuscript!  He’s only 8 but working at a 2nd grade level so I ordered him the cursive version of HWT and he has been diligently working in it daily.  I know that the future is headed in the opposite direction of cursive writing but I want my boys to be able to sign their names and read important papers.  Like this…

A birthday wish to my youngest from my Mother.  Written in cursive by her hand, gone from us now, but forever preserved.