| | To Cursive or Not to Cursive...  | | | | Last week another state voted to keep cursive writing (and memorization of multiplication tables) as a requirement in their schools curriculum, even though it is not part of the new Common Core Educational Curriculum Standards. That makes 7 states (California, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Utah) who have made the decision to keep cursive writing. (The Common Core Curriculum has been adopted by 45 states and is to be fully implemented by the fall of 2014. The Curriculum doesn't prohibit the teaching of cursive writing - it just doesn't include it.)
Did you know that:
- To read cursive, you usually have to be able to write in it.
- In early times, cursive was used as a way to distinguish the literate from the illiterate.
- Legal documents, such as contracts, mortgages, wills, and banking, all require a signature.
- Cursive signatures are more difficult to forge than those in print. So it may discourage some fraud or credit card theft.
- Recently, during a very public trial in Florida, a 19-year-old witness couldn't read a document because it was in cursive.
- Research shows, that more areas of the brain are used for cursive writing than for keyboarding.
- The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are all written in cursive.
What can you do? - Talk to your local school officials and board of education. Express your concerns and request they continue cursive writing in the curriculum.
- Teach your own children and grandchildren how to read and write cursive.
- Start a Cursive writing club at school or with neighborhood friends.
| | | Loops and Other Groups Cursive Writing Program Mary Benbow, OTR. (a renown hand development specialist) designed this wonderfully easy and imaginative way to teach cursive handwriting to students from second grade through high school. Letters are taught in groups that share common movement patterns. This taps into the kinesthetic system which allows students to "feel" and visualize letter formation. Easy to remember auditory and motor cues are used to help aide students in learning. Groups like "Clock Climbers" and "Kite Strings" engage students and lead to quick success. Complete programs, packs of 10 workbooks or individual workbooks make this perfect for home or school. | | | Handwriting Without Tears- Cursive Developed by Jan Olsen, OTR this program uses the multi sensory approach with tactile, kinesthetic, auditory, positional, and spatial cues as well as manipulative's and 2 lined paper to teach students cursive writing. Teachers guide and workbooks for each grade build upon success. Workbooks available individually or let us know what quantity you need for bulk packs. | | | Free Shipping AND More Free Shipping! Here at PFOT, we try to offer you a mix of classic "must have" items, as well as "cool" new products. Active participation is always easier when students are excited, motivated and engaged. Take a moment to check out your closet, then check us out and let us ship your new items for FREE - AND we'll also send you a free shipping voucher to use on a future order!* But all good things must end... this week until Friday at midnite! (*Must select Free shipping at checkout AND use coupon code CCFREE at time of order. $40 minimun, new online orders only, free ground shipping within 48 states only. Excludes drop ship items & other items indicated with a *. Voucher will be sent with order. $40 min re-order, voucher can be used 1/1/14-2/28/14, other restrictions may apply. Offer expires Fri 11/22/13) *Much information provided by huffington post. | | | | |
