A Case For "Just Because"

I remember around the age of 12 I would sit in my room and write my name, a boy's name who I might have a crush on; I would write out poems, song lyrics, and random quotes. I still have several of my notebooks filled with my scrawls. I cherish them for what they hold, a part of that young girl, working her way through pre-teen years, middle school, and just life in general. All of my thoughts are written out in cursive. I don't remember exactly the year I learned to write in cursive, but I know that it came fairly easy to me, and it became a daily practice. Assignments and reports were turned in written in cursive. It was expected from our teachers. Of course, it was also the only way! No computers to type out reports or email to send them.

CURSIVE: adj. adjective  Having the successive letters joined together. Writing; a cursive style of type.

 

I loved the twirly, flowing movement of  the letters. My favorite letters were F and Z - they looked so fancy, much more than my boring initials. I still can't figure out the Q! But I loved to write in general, and cursive gave me a smooth, fast way to put my thoughts down to paper. I can't imagine even being interested in writing page after page it I had to print every word. But that's there it's headed for my daughter. 

In the Third Grade, Erica's teacher presented cursive writing to her students. Her effort was gallant, but there was not nearly enough time spent teaching the students the basics, much less getting them to the point of turning in a complete page written in cursive. Since then I have tried to encourage her to practice more, but I only get resistance, mostly because it's not important. She is now in Middle School and the school doesn't have any expectations of cursive writing abilities. In fact, they will not teach it at all. Because of the rigorous curriculum there is again no time. And we are not alone in suburbia, the same holds true everywhere. I have read many articles and opinions about the need for cursive writing to be taught in school, and not one had a concrete reason that it should be a high priority, especially when just getting kids to the school is difficult. I am inside a school every day, and see the challenge teachers and administrators face in just teaching the basics. However, I believe that there is a way to fit it in, with help of paraprofessionals like myself, volunteers, and parents. I think that this time, "just because" is a worthy reason.