Cursive is COOL!

by Michael Porter
The teaching of cursive writing has fallen out of fashion in some parts of the country. Many critics of cursive writing believe that technology has replaced it.
 
But at JCDS, learning cursive has never gone out of style! 
In fact, learning cursive trains the brain to learn functional specialization, improves memory, and helps to improve fine motor skills. All of these are why JCDS students begin learning cursive in second grade, and last week those lessons began for our current second graders!

"I like doing cursive like my mom and my dad," said 2nd grader Scott N.
 
Many students agree that cursive is a more adult way of writing.
 
"Our students feel grown up learning this fancy, fun, functional way of writing," said 2nd grade teacher Lindsey Upchurch.
 
"It's a faster way to write," said 2nd grader Vera L.
 
Indeed, many people can write more quickly in cursive because it requires lifting your pencil much less often. Speedy writing is very handy when taking notes or even making a grocery list.
 
It is also a necessary skill in developing a personal signature.

Learning to write in cursive means the students can also read cursive writing. Students will be able to read many historical letters and documents, as well as other correspondence.
 
"I can kind of read it," said Scott. "When my elf gave me a note, it was in cursive, and I could read it. I just needed help with some of the larger words."
 
It's also handy for more important things.
 
"A lot of my teachers send notes to my house, and it's in cursive, so I don't know what it says," said CJ W. "But now I know what it says."

"Cursive is not only learning a pretty new way of writing letters, but it is also good for furthering brain development in young students," said Ms. Upchurch. "It helps build memory and fine motor skills."
 
Ms. Upchurch explained that our curriculum makes learning cursive easy and fun. She introduces one letter per day in a specific sequence that is brain-friendly for the 2nd graders.
 
"This is an important life skill that will be with them forever," Ms. Upchurch said. "How exciting that we get to build their foundation for being successful with this new skill."
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