Author Topic: How to argue with perfect logic and reasoning? (Read 1437 times)

Heather · « **on:** February 10, 2011, 09:19:35 AM »

As most of you know I homeschool my children. My eldest son is in second grade this year and it is the year he should learn how to read and write cursive letters. We started by him learning how to read things that were written in cursive with no problems. When it came time to learn how to write the cursive letters, he was not interested in learning one bit. He asked me why he had to write fancy letters. I thought about what my teacher told us in second grade about needing to learn how to write in cursive for college for papers and for writing a resume.

Evan points out to me that all of the papers that he has seen me turn in for college were typed and not written in fancy letters. Then he asks me if you type a resume as well. When I answered yes, he then says, "Well, Momma don't you think it would be a better idea to teach me to type instead of write fancy letters" I personally can't think of any NEED for writing in cursive later on in life as he pointed out most things are typed. So right now he is learning his home keys.

If anyone has a logical reason why he would need the ability to write in cursive other than his name please share! The only argument I could come up with was 'because I said so" and I don't feel that it is fair to teach him something he won't need just because I said so!

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2011, 09:35:55 AM »

When he wants to write a note to his boss, write a letter to a pretty girl, He may have to write corrections in the margins of a typed paper, or just tell him that is how grown ups write and if he can't do it all the other grown ups will make fun of him writting in block letters. Script allows him to write faster.

Pat/Rick · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2011, 09:52:29 AM »

Cursive? That doesn't referance someone who cusses alot? As in, " He's the most cursive person I've ever met".

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2011, 09:57:46 AM »

I learned drafting about 40 years ago, and I print everything now like grocery lists, etc. The only thing I write is my name. Everyone can read printing. I think they need to learn cursive, learn to write the letters, and sign their names. They do need to know how to read and write cursive whenever they run into it. Cursive was developed as an aid to ink writing so you didn't have to remove your pen off the paper so much. Other than that, typing is more important today.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2011, 10:29:28 AM »

Tell him it is the secret code writing of adults. Hot girls write love letters in cursive he will want to know how to read it (maybe at 7 this won't work). Your hands don't get as tired writing long term papers. Did I mention girls?

Most of the points about cursive being less important are correct, however, a person still needs to know how to read it.

Heather · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:10:41 AM »

Quote from: Empty Quiver on February 10, 2011, 10:29:28 AM

Tell him it is the secret code writing of adults. Hot girls write love letters in cursive he will want to know how to read it (maybe at 7 this won't work). Your hands don't get as tired writing long term papers. Did I mention girls?

Most of the points about cursive being less important are correct, however, a person still needs to know how to read it.

He can read it just fine. He just doesn't want to have to write it because to him he can't see the reason for it. I want to be able to give him valid reasons, but personally I can't think of anything other than being able to sign your name that I have ever had to use cursive writing for. LOVE the secret code writing for adults idea, I MIGHT get him to buy into that, but we'll see. He isn't as easily manipulated like most kids his age.

Brett · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:16:24 AM »

Bout the only time I use cursive or longhand as we used to call it is when signing my signature on a legal document. If the boy can sign his name he is good to go as far as I'm concerned.

powderman · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2011, 12:36:24 PM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on February 10, 2011, 09:35:55 AM

When he wants to write a note to his boss, write a letter to a pretty girl, He may have to write corrections in the margins of a typed paper, or just tell him that is how grown ups write and if he can't do it all the other grown ups will make fun of him writting in block letters. Script allows him to write faster.

MCCWOODUCK. I agree. Learn cursive, no reason NOT to. Seems I read something in the paper about this not long ago. POWDERMAN.

lakota · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2011, 12:44:39 PM »

Yikes thats a tough one! The only cursive writing I can do anymore is my signature!

Bigeasy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2011, 01:18:29 PM »

Public schools teach a lot of things that may not be needed in later life in the interest in being "more well rounded". I can see this point, to an extent, but there is nothing wrong with teaching things that will be of use in later life. Learning a keyboard is a good example, as he will use this skill throughout his life.

Larry

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2011, 02:13:15 PM »

Heather, the secret code writing defines my script. I should have been a doctor, I was constantly getting grief from teachers. To be honest I quit trying and just went to printing everything about half way through HS.

Honestly the kid has an honest grasp of the subject. A simple" because the curriculum requires this to graduate may suffice."

PowPow · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2011, 02:25:16 PM »

Our local schools are teaching keyboarding now and dropping cursive.
Its a change that is gaining momentum:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/end-cursive/story?id=12749517

wreckhog · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2011, 02:48:35 PM »

Other than a signature, the only time I see cursive is on a prescription. Tell him that what it takes to become a doctor.

bigbird09 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2011, 02:53:10 PM »

There really isn't much use for cursive anymore. Almost everything is printed or typed, most of it being typed. Usually any forms that you fill out they ask that you print. The way that things are going I would't be to surprised in a few more years (10-20) that even printing will be down to the point that cursive is today as more and more technology become intertwined with our lives. Really it probably wouldn't be to bad of an idea to teach them, just for the simple fact maybe someday they can be like "Ya, I can do that".

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Other than a signature, the only time I see cursive is on a prescription. Tell him that what it takes to become a doctor.

Are you sure that is cursive? lol Most of the time idk what a doctor writes down for prescriptions, just looks like scribbles.

powderman · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2011, 03:34:28 PM »

In my opinion dropping cursive is just contributing to the dumbing down of America. What will kids do if they receive a letter in cursive ?? POWDERMAN.

Mohawk · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2011, 03:52:16 PM »

You are doing just fine, Ms. Heather. Cursive signature and cursive intitials are the extent of my cursive use. My first novel when I was 19 was in cursive but now thay don't except handwriting. If I were you....... I would teach the QWERTY keyboard..... Good luck and bless you for the home schooling. We are thinking of that soon.

PowPow · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2011, 04:06:18 PM »

Quote from: powderman on February 10, 2011, 03:34:28 PM

...What will kids do if they receive a letter in cursive ??...

They will probably just facebook or tweet the person who sent it and ask them what they said.

Heather · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2011, 04:32:09 PM »

Quote from: powderman on February 10, 2011, 03:34:28 PM

In my opinion dropping cursive is just contributing to the dumbing down of America. What will kids do if they receive a letter in cursive ?? POWDERMAN.

We haven't dropped cursive. I taught him to recognize all of the letters and read in cursive. I have also taught him to sign his name.

Hit or Miss · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2011, 04:34:43 PM »

Cursive other than a signature is obsolete. He will, however, need to learn it if he ever wants to forge your signature!

PowPow · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2011, 04:38:26 PM »

I learned cursive in second or third grade.
When I went to engineering school, we took a mechanical drawing class to learn how to print again.

squirrellluck · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2011, 04:46:15 PM »

Just tell him the truth. Writing in cursive is faster than printing so... he can finish his school work faster cause it takes less time to write the answers

bigbird09 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2011, 05:02:08 PM »

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What will kids do if they receive a letter in cursive ??

Whens the last time you received a letter written in cursive? Other than a friend or family member? just saying.

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Just tell him the truth. Writing in cursive is faster than printing so... he can finish his school work faster cause it takes less time to write the answers

I had/have teachers that won't except anything that is handwriten, I'm in college now, and graduated HS in '08. Also had a a couple teachers that if they did except stuff hand written it had to be printed.

mrloring · « **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2011, 05:05:56 PM »

Quote from: Hit or Miss on February 10, 2011, 04:34:43 PM

Cursive other than a signature is obsolete. He will, however, need to learn it if he ever wants to forge your signature!

The only thing I ever forged my mother's signature on was field trip permission slips, report cards, and excuses for school. I really don't think he will have much use for that!

powderman · « **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2011, 05:31:22 PM »

Nobody has ever asked me a thing about king henry the 8th either but I don't regret learning about him. POWDERMAN.

torpedoman · « **Reply #24 on:** February 10, 2011, 06:23:12 PM »

Tell him it is the mark of a well educated person.

bigbird09 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 10, 2011, 06:33:47 PM »

Quote from: torpedoman on February 10, 2011, 06:23:12 PM

Tell him it is the mark of a well educated person.

So you are saying that I'm not well educated because I can't write or read cursive writing vary well?

magooch · « **Reply #26 on:** February 11, 2011, 04:39:44 AM »

I have no idea how schools and colleges are now days, but I had to take a lot of notes when I went to school and writing longhand is much faster than printing. Of course learning shorthand might be evern better, but like a lot of things, learning to write certainly won't hurt. It's just another tool that everyone should know. You never know when your electronic device might crap out on you.

Along the way, please don't forget to stress spelling (I know you won't) and be especially sure to note the difference between "to, too and two, there, their and they're, then and than, except and accept, effect and affect, etc. etc. Nothing reveals a deficient education quicker than the misuse of words that sound alike, but have totally different meanings. Another thing that was horribly absent when I went to school was syntax and punctuation beyond the basics. I view both as a bit of an art form that is given too little time.

Ruskin · « **Reply #27 on:** February 11, 2011, 05:21:06 AM »

Show him the documents our founding fathers wrote.

When my mother was little she was taught cursive. I can spot writing by an individual who was taught cursive from the time period my mother came from. They write in a very pretty hand.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 11, 2011, 06:49:16 AM »

I was just informed that the local school board is dropping cursive from all curriculum and supplanting it with keyboard. they say the kids must be able to navigate the keyboard and they will not need to use cursive for their higher education.

Swampman · « **Reply #29 on:** February 11, 2011, 07:08:42 AM »

Our local schools no longer teach cursive. The Christian school my granddaughter went to didn't teach them how to print. The started in cursive....who knows?