Pre-reading questions:
- With the rise of technology, particularly computer keyboards and tablets, how has the learning experience in your country been influenced?
- Have you ever encountered cursive handwriting before, either in educational materials, documents, or other sources? If yes, how would you describe your impressions of cursive writing? If not, would you be interested in learning cursive, and why or why not?
Vocabulary:
- tradition /truh-DISH-uhn/
- joy /joi/
- decipher /dih-SAHY-fer/
- standard /stan-derd /
- proficient /pruh-FISH-uhnt/
[noun] – a belief, principle, or way of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time, or all of these beliefs, etc. in a particular society or group
The preservation of cultural traditions is essential for passing down values and customs from one generation to the next.
[noun] – great happiness
The children’s faces lit up with joy when they saw the colorful balloons at the birthday party.
[verb] – to decode or interpret something that is difficult to understand, such as a code, language, or complex information
The archaeologist worked diligently to decipher the ancient hieroglyphs, unveiling the historical significance engraved on the weathered stone tablets.
[noun] – a set of established guidelines, principles, or criteria that are widely accepted and used as a basis for comparison or evaluation in a particular field
The industry adheres to strict standards to ensure product safety and quality.
[adjective] – skilled and experienced
After years of practice, she became proficient at playing the piano with grace and precision.
Article reading:
Experts support the move, arguing that learning cursive contributes to cognitive development, reading comprehension, and fine motor skills. Teachers, like those at Orangethorpe Elementary in Fullerton, are already incorporating cursive instruction. Despite initial challenges reported by students, many find joy in the elegance of cursive and the ability to decipher historical documents, such as the U.S. Constitution written in 1787. The decline of cursive started with the rise of computer keyboards and tablets, worsened by its omission from the 2010 Common Core education standards. California’s move marks a comeback for cursive, making it the 22nd state to require cursive handwriting. Research suggests that cursive promotes distinct neural networks and enhances childhood development. Quirk-Silva hopes that, by the time students complete sixth grade, they will be proficient in both reading and writing cursive, emphasizing the return as not just about mastering a handwriting style but also fostering essential cognitive skills in the digital age.
Comprehension questions
- What is the new law, Assembly Bill 446, requiring for California’s elementary students?
- At what age range does the law apply to students in California?
- Who advocated for the new law requiring cursive writing in California?
- According to experts, what are the benefits of learning cursive?
- When does the law require the teaching of cursive writing to begin?
Discussion questions
- Have you seen a writing style similar to cursive in your country, or are there scripts considered more elegant or traditional? If so, how do people learn these styles? If not, what do you expect or prefer for teaching such scripts, and how might it affect your cultural understanding?
- Do you tend to use digital tools or pen and paper for notes and assignments? If yes, how does your choice impact your learning? If not, what writing tools do you usually prefer, and how does your choice affect your overall approach to learning?
- Do you think it’s beneficial to maintain handwriting skills, especially in the digital age?
- In your country, where cultural traditions are important, do you believe there’s a need to teach older writing forms, even if they aren’t commonly used? Why or why not?
- Considering various writing practices globally, how does Japan’s focus on its writing styles compare to or differ from trends in other countries? How might these differences impact communication and education?