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CURRENT EVENT | March 7, 2024

Debate: Should Schools Teach Cursive Handwriting?

Teaching cursive handwriting had fallen out of favor by the early twenty-first century, but it is now having a resurgence. States are again requiring that elementary students learn cursive. Proponents of teaching cursive handwriting cite the need for students to be able to read historical documents and write a unique signature. Critics argue that cursive is unnecessary in a digital age when people aren’t doing much writing by hand at all. Listen to hear students and teachers discuss the pros and cons of learning cursive and then debate: Should schools teach cursive handwriting?

Story Length: 3:45

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SOURCE:

National Public Radio © 2024 National Public Radio, Inc. Used with the permission of NPR. All rights reserved.

01/14/2024


Listening Comprehension Questions

  • How might people feel about writing cursive, according to the reporter?
  • What do the students interviewed think about learning cursive?
  • What has been the teacher’s experience teaching cursive?
  • How have the principal’s views on cursive changed over time?

Classroom Discussion Themes

  • Debate: Should schools teach cursive handwriting?
  • What are your preferences when you write, and have your preferences changed over time?