Things that make you go :rolleyes:

[Eilan]

WTF? Really? The teacher's taught four letters and expects them to write all the words cursively? That's ridiculous.

I'm not sure how neatly she expects the kids to write. If she doesn't expect much, I'm sure she won't be disappointed.

 

[Phaedre]

I'm not sure how neatly she expects the kids to write. If she doesn't expect much, I'm sure she won't be disappointed.

If she's expecting perfection she's going to be sorely disappointed.

I'm curious at to how she's teaching it as imo it's a strange set of letters to begin with. It would make more sense for them to be letters that form words together.

3rd grade is like aged 7?

Over here cursive is introduced at various times according to school policy. Some schools teach it from the start.

 

[Eilan]

If she's expecting perfection she's going to be sorely disappointed.

I'm curious at to how she's teaching it as imo it's a strange set of letters to begin with. It would make more sense for them to be letters that form words together.

3rd grade is like aged 7?

Over here cursive is introduced at various times according to school policy. Some schools teach it from the start.

Third grade is age 8; some children, like my daughter, will turn 9 during the school year.

When I was in school, we started learning cursive writing in second grade, but this school district does things differently. It's just that I'm not sure how ready they are to write words when they're barely writing letters.

I really don't think the teacher expects perfection. I've had a couple of conversations with her and she seems like a reasonable person.

I told my little gal to do her best.

 

[Phaedre]

Third grade is age 8; some children, like my daughter, will turn 9 during the school year.

Then my oldest is in the year below.

I really don't think the teacher expects perfection. I've had a couple of conversations with her and she seems like a reasonable person.

That's good.

I told my little gal to do her best.

And that's the best possible advice you could give her.

 

[SweetErika]

Our kids learn cursive in 5th grade, and have to write everything except math work in cursive and pen for the entire year. After that, they can use whatever they want.

This, while they cut out and fail to teach a lot of Social Studies, Arts, Life Skills and P.E. curriculum.

When my husband moved in 5th grade, they put him in the remedial class because he hadn't been taught traditional cursive in his old school (our district learned italics from K on) and couldn't learn cursive fast enough to keep up with the class work.

Gee, I wonder how I ever managed to get multiple degrees without learning traditional cursive, other than my mom showing me a couple of times.

Sorry, touchy subject.

 

[Eilan]

Our kids learn cursive in 5th grade, and have to write everything except math work in cursive and pen for the entire year. After that, they can use whatever they want.

This, while they cut out and fail to teach a lot of Social Studies, Arts, Life Skills and P.E. curriculum.

When my husband moved in 5th grade, they put him in the remedial class because he hadn't been taught traditional cursive in his old school (our district learned italics from K on) and couldn't learn cursive fast enough to keep up with the class work.

Gee, I wonder how I ever managed to get multiple degrees without learning traditional cursive, other than my mom showing me a couple of times.

Sorry, touchy subject.

Frankly, I'm starting to wonder why it's even taught nowadays, since everything else is being trimmed to accommodate all the cramming for the reading/math tests that the kids start taking in grade 3.

My husband had to use block printing for his job. He signs his name and that's it.

This could very easily become a WPMO, as my already naturally high-strung little one was in tears this evening.

 

[Sarojaede]

My son is in kindergarden. He must write--print--a specific way because the school system here has adopted a specific method of teaching printing in preperation for teaching cursive. So, if he doesn't print exactly this way, it's wrong.

 

[Eilan]

My son is in kindergarden. He must write--print--a specific way because the school system here has adopted a specific method of teaching printing in preperation for teaching cursive. So, if he doesn't print exactly this way, it's wrong.

Wow. I've never heard of such a thing. My first-grader puts little flourishes and curlicues on her letters and no one's said anything. Yet. I think it's kinda cute.

The only time that I was graded on handwriting after, say, the fourth grade was when I took undergraduate education courses. One prof was ultra-anal about handwriting. Future teacher, setting an example, yadda, yadda, yadda.

 

[Sarojaede]

It's some specific method for printing; you aren't allowed to lift the pencil from the page unless the letter has a cross piece or a dot. And my little guy, who has actually been printing words for nearly a year now is extremely frustrated by it.

 

[Flyin_Free]

My son is in kindergarden. He must write--print--a specific way because the school system here has adopted a specific method of teaching printing in preperation for teaching cursive. So, if he doesn't print exactly this way, it's wrong.

In Kindergarten?! That's insane!

When my daughter was in KG, she had a teacher who made each kid color their pics in a certain way....you color this blue, you color this green, you use gold...etc, so that her display board would look nice. I mean c'mon, they're in Kindergarten....they're supposed to be using their imagination and being creative, not making HER display board look perfect!

 

[Eilan]

It's some specific method for printing; you aren't allowed to lift the pencil from the page unless the letter has a cross piece or a dot. And my little guy, who has actually been printing words for nearly a year now is extremely frustrated by it.

If they're going to insist on having things done a certain way, then what's the point of expecting the kids to know how to write when they start school?

 

[Guest]

 

[Sarojaede]

If they're going to insist on having things done a certain way, then what's the point of expecting the kids to know how to write when they start school?

I truly do not know. And truthfully, it's things like this that just seem to take the joy right out of learning. He was so excited that he could write his full name. And now, he's not supposed to pick up the pencil at all when writing an "r" for instance. Now he doesn't understand why it's wrong if he picks up his pencil when he writes the little curved top part of the "r" after he makes the straight line down.

 

[Flyin_Free]

If they're going to insist on having things done a certain way, then what's the point of expecting the kids to know how to write when they start school?

Exactly! I think I'd go in and complain. Learning should be fun in Kindergarten. Don't turn them off of learning...make it fun so they like it.

 

[silverwhisper]

SJ, that's just fucking stupid. i feel bad for the little guy. hell, i know i'd find that frustrating as hell.

ed

 

[Phaedre]

My son is in kindergarden. He must write--print--a specific way because the school system here has adopted a specific method of teaching printing in preperation for teaching cursive. So, if he doesn't print exactly this way, it's wrong.

When you say he _must_ use the specific style you mean he's reprimanded if he doesn't? And he's how old?

I understand why the school have a handwriting policy and would advocate them having one (it's a requirement here) but he ought not be penalised for already being able to write.

Hell if I had a child in my class who could write already on entrance I'd be thrilled.

Oh and cursive handwriting is expected to be consolidated by the end of year 3 (2nd Grade).

 

[Sarojaede]

He's apparently gently reminded that he should not be lifting the pencil from the paper for any letters that don't have cross pieces, like a "t" does.

I need to look at the paperwork from his school because this type of learning to write/print is apparently some "named" method that is supposed to make the transition to cursive much easier for students when they start it in the 2nd grade here.

What's killing me is watching that light go out of my little guy's eyes. He was so excited about school, and now, he doesn't want to go. I figured this would happen eventually, given the teach to the test mentality mandated by state testing here in the States. It just disgusts me that it's happened so quickly.

 

[Phaedre]

Well at least it's 'gentle'.

My professional advice* would be to go and speak with his teacher about your concerns. No teacher worth their salt wants to dim enthusiasm.

The teaching to the test is sadly a function of our modern age but one that doesn't imo have to take precedence over making learning fun.

(*Yes I'm a teacher ~ I admit it)

 

[Sarojaede]

Yeah, Phaedre..that's my professional advice to myself as well.

I teach at the university level here.

I'm going to be talking to her next week.

 

[silverwhisper]

[eyes phaedre and SJ]

you two are kinda confirming some of my long-held beliefs about teachers...



[ducks]

ed

 

[vanelane]

My son is in kindergarden. He must write--print--a specific way because the school system here has adopted a specific method of teaching printing in preperation for teaching cursive. So, if he doesn't print exactly this way, it's wrong.

Yeah, my two had that in kindergarten last year. Then they built a new school in our neighborhood and guess what? The first grade teachers here use a more basic printing style so they have to unlearn all those curlicues that were supposed to prepare them for cursive. Sheesh!

 

[Phaedre]

<wonders if she dare ask which long held beliefs he's referring to...>

SJ; I'd worked that out from your posts. Opposite ends of the education system though. I get them when they're barely out of nappies...

 

[Sarojaede]

SW: Do I need to remind you of your note to yourself in another thread?!?!?

Phaedre--I suspect we shall have to hurt him soon.

 

[silverwhisper]

any negative imputation to my comment was not implied by me but inferred by you, SJ.

ed

 

[Phaedre]

Phaedre--I suspect we shall have to hurt him soon.

At some point soon he's going to realise his mistake in ever introducing us...