Cursive Writing Lessons
While cursive writing lessons may seem to be outdated, they are still an important part of the class curriculum.
By Debra Karr
As part of English teacher training, I once took a class where the professor asked us to write about our very first memory of writing. As odd as the assignment was, it did conjure up memories of my pre-school and kindergarten days, where dotted and solid lined green paper would be set before me, and my little hand would be sore after trying to write the many letters of the alphabet that would have to be traced or copied in order to get my work done.
In our contemporary society, with the computer, the iPhone, and any other quick-text device, practice in cursive handwriting may appear to be archaic. But at last check, primary grade teachers were still bestowing handwriting techniques to their students, and every student I've taught up until now has been able to write in script. Thankfully.
Graphology (the study of handwriting), analyzing hand-written documents from primary sources, and studying cursive creations from centuries past, are areas that the next series of lessons explore. Students will not only practice cursive, they will in essence learn about a kind of art form (cursive) that expresses emotions, tells the tales of history, and gives a voice to the people who used it to tell their story. Open the lesson with a phrase on the board written in cursive. Have a class discussion about the uses of cursive. Then dive into each lesson, making sure to activate prior knowledge, check for understanding, and ensure guided practice.
Cursive Writing Lesson Plans:
In this lesson students learn about the art of graphology. They repeat French words, learn about conversational French, and learn about the history of Jean Hippolyte Michon, the man responsible for the art of analyzing handwriting. Originally meant to be orchestrated virtually and online, this lesson also works well in the classroom as students analyze handwriting, explore history and gain exposure to the French language simultaneously. I would start the lesson out by having students trace a sentence in French, and then go over the meaning of the sentence. This would be a nice entrance ticket for a lesson in the history of analyzing handwriting.
I really love the way this lesson puts the student back in time. As students analyze primary sources (actual handwritten letters from the Civil War), they understand the heart and human spirit behind each individual during that war. Next, they are put into pairs and asked to handwrite letters as if they were alive during that time period. Students will write letters from opposing sides of the war. I think it would be interesting to find out if there are any similar qualities and reactions to each side. Enhancing this lesson with primary photographs would also be helpful.
Written Document Analysis Worksheet
The Written Document Analysis Worksheet embedded in this lesson gives students the opportunity to analyze handwritten documents and accounts from past incidents, giving the reader a detailed perspective of the writer's point of view. In this lesson the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 has been documented, and students analyze eyewitness accounts of the historic event. Using a timeline and period photographs will also give students insight into the events that took place, and will also allow them to see how the specific event has led to other notable events in history.
In this lesson students analyze an autograph book from the 1880's and compare and contrast its similarities and differences to contemporary autograph books. As they look at the handwriting, style of writing, and phrases from that era, they are able to note differences in the way people communicated, articulated and wrote. I think having students write a compare/contrast essay about the 1880's autograph book and any one of today's modern social networking sites might be an interesting lesson plan.
