Cursive Writing Instruction is Being Removed from the Common Core Curriculum

By: Angela Romeo

 

 

Introduction:  Should cursive be taught as part of the writing curriculum or is it outdated as society moves towards the use of technology?  This is a topic that is being debated as school officials and teachers argue about the necessity of teaching students cursive writing.  Many believe that the practice of teaching cursive writing takes away from valuable class time that can be spent teaching other skills and concepts whereas others believe that learning cursive gives students the foundations of language and can even help students with various learning disabilities such as Dyslexia. 

Task:  You will research both sides of the debate.  You will form an opinion, write a summary of your findings, and write a persuasive essay for or against cursive writing instruction.  You will then break into two groups and prepare to debate the topic.

Work to be submitted:

1.      Summary/argument done independently.

2.      Written debate speech done in the group. 

 

 

Process/Resources: 

The class will be split into two groups. 

Group 1: You will argue the importance of teaching cursive in writing classes.

Group 2: You will argue against teaching cursive in writing classes.   

Each group will use research to develop an argument and debate the topic against the other group.  You will be required to research both sides of the debate. 

 

Use the Public Policy Analyst to assist you in researching for your essay and presentation.

1                    Define the problem

2                    Gather evidence

3                    Identify causes

4                    Evaluate a policy

5                    Develop solutions

6                    Select the best solution(s)

 

 

Resources:

·        Schools fight to keep cursive

·        Assemblyman pushes to require schools to teach cursive

·        The great cursive debate

·        The importance of teaching cursive in the 21st century

·        Should schools require students to learn cursive?

·        Should schools still teach cursive writing?

·        Does cursive need to be taught in the digital age?

 

 

Evaluation: 

You will be evaluated on your use of the research, the presentation of your argument, and your response to the other group’s ideas.  This will require you to research both sides of the debate to anticipate arguments from the opposing group.  This is the rubric that I want to use: http://bie.org/object/document/9_12_presentation_rubric_non_ccss#

 

 

Common Core Self Evaluation Check-List:

Name___________________________

 

 

_____I developed an interesting and concise thesis statement centered around a contemporary problem

 

_____I gathered relevant facts

 

_____I organized my facts into an interesting and creative presentation

 

_____I used technology for my presentation

 

_____I presented facts which supported my thesis and clarified my topic

 

_____I spoke clearly, loudly and appropriately during my presentation

 

_____I cited my sources and attributed ideas to experts when appropriate

 

_____I integrated historical and/or literary responses to this problem.

 

 

Conclusion: 

Do you think cursive should be taught in writing classes?  Were you taught cursive?  If yes, do you feel that it is a necessary skill?  If no, do you feel that it has had a negative impact on your writing/language skills?