Illinois Students Will Be Required to Learn Cursive
When I was in elementary school, one of the things that kids looked forward to most was going to third grade.
Kindergarten was for snacks, naps, and ABCs, first grade was for learning how to add and subtract, and by second grade you really started to become a really good reader. But it was the third grade that you got to learn cursive.
Writing in cursive made kids feel like they were learning how to be grown-ups. It looked super cool and it made you feel cool because it was your "autograph."
Teachers didn't tell you that's why you were learning cursive, in fact, I don't remember getting any kind of explanation at all, but the reasons behind being taught the skill are extremely important, and that's why Illinois schools will be bringing it back.
According to WREX, the Senate voted to override Governor Rauner's veto of legislation that students learn cursive writing despite far less long-hand writing these days.
Supporters of the bill say it's necessary because not only does it look professional and pretty, it's needed so kids can read historical documents like the Declaration of Independence; they'll need it to sign legal documents and it's just good for the brain.
Many parents are happy to see that this skill will be taught in schools again, but others think that teachers simply don't have the time to incorporate it into their lesson plans; what do you think?