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Seriously, you're suggesting that kids need to be formally taught how to draw? You don't think they can copy something that's printed on the chalkboard? And you

by robg 18y ago

Seriously, you're suggesting that kids need to be formally taught how to draw? You don't think they can copy something that's printed on the chalkboard? And you don't think kids would learn to write on their own? Didn't we learn to type that way? All I'm talking about is inverting the priorities, especially for young kids. Four and five year olds aren't expected to take notes. The stuff you're worrying about mostly comes later. And then, just like now with typing, they will know what they need to even without formal education shoving it down their throats. When did you learn to take notes? I don't think it was expected of me until 6th or 7th grade, if then.

Tichy 18y ago
I don't recall spending so much time on learning how to write. I remember we had a book with the cursive letters in big that we were supposed to follow with out pencils a couple of times. One of the first homework assignments I really hated, consequently, my handwriting was always ugly. But yes, I think kids need to be taught how to write, they don't just learn it by copying from the board. Or maybe they would eventually, but it would take longer. With your argument, why have school at all, why not let kids learn everything by themselves. Also, I wish there was more emphasis in school on learning how to structure thoughts (on paper or elsewhere). The few bits on handwriting, underlining headlines and so on are among the few lessons where this aspects play a role - most other stuff really is just copying stuff from the board and learning it by heart. five year olds also need to take notes, for example write down tomorrows homework assignment. Of course you could put the assignments on a web site so that kids could look them up online instead - but I think that would produce a much higher workload for teachers.
- robg 18y ago
  "With your argument, why have school at all, why not let kids learn everything by themselves." That's not my argument. I want schools to focus on critical skills, especially during early childhood. Handwriting, today, isn't one of them. Teach kids to type. Penmanship can come later, like typing today. Invert the priorites to match real world demands. Kids are already typing and using computers any ways. I don't ever remember taking notes in elementary school. Assignments were handed out and completed. They could just as easily be emailed out and typed in. Problem is, the kids are probably more computer literate than most teachers.

by robg 18y ago

Tichy 18y ago

I don't recall spending so much time on learning how to write. I remember we had a book with the cursive letters in big that we were supposed to follow with out pencils a couple of times. One of the first homework assignments I really hated, consequently, my handwriting was always ugly. But yes, I think kids need to be taught how to write, they don't just learn it by copying from the board. Or maybe they would eventually, but it would take longer. With your argument, why have school at all, why not let kids learn everything by themselves. Also, I wish there was more emphasis in school on learning how to structure thoughts (on paper or elsewhere). The few bits on handwriting, underlining headlines and so on are among the few lessons where this aspects play a role - most other stuff really is just copying stuff from the board and learning it by heart. five year olds also need to take notes, for example write down tomorrows homework assignment. Of course you could put the assignments on a web site so that kids could look them up online instead - but I think that would produce a much higher workload for teachers.

robg 18y ago
"With your argument, why have school at all, why not let kids learn everything by themselves." That's not my argument. I want schools to focus on critical skills, especially during early childhood. Handwriting, today, isn't one of them. Teach kids to type. Penmanship can come later, like typing today. Invert the priorites to match real world demands. Kids are already typing and using computers any ways. I don't ever remember taking notes in elementary school. Assignments were handed out and completed. They could just as easily be emailed out and typed in. Problem is, the kids are probably more computer literate than most teachers.