Korean Job Discussion Forums

[green3km]

Hey Guys,
I'm going to be teaching the basic of cursive handwriting to my high school classes and I was wondering if you guys had any ideas to make it more fun.

Any insight would be great!

Thanks!

[cazador83]

I've been teaching cursive for the past 2 years for my 6th graders and most of them really like it, but some think it's boring. I think it's useful for them to know the basics, so they can read handwriting if they ever live abroad, etc. but I realize most people don't use it anymore. If all they get out of it is how to sign their name and how to read it decently, then I feel fine.

I've found several websites over the years and these are the ones I usually use, for templates, etc.

http://www.worksheetworks.com/english/writing/handwriting/handwriting-cursive-trace.html

http://www.kidzone.ws/cursive/index.htm

http://abcteach.com/directory/basics/handwriting/dn_style_font/cursive/

I usually create my own handouts and teach them by different groups (round letters, then mix and match, climb & slide, etc.).

Try splitting up the lessons a bit, so they don't get bored. So maybe do round letters first, then the next lesson do something non-cursive related, then do another group, etc.

I've tried having them write essays and letters, but it's usually too much for them (except for those who have already lived abroad).

For me the whole thing usually takes about 4-5 lessons (over 4-6 weeks).

[le-paul]

definately look for sentences that have all the letters of the alphabet in them while your practicing (the quick brown fox etc) writing.
(sry, not a fun suggestion but a practical one...).

maybe give them a sentence and time them as a team passing the paper around

[crisdean]

I was under the impression that cursive was part of the middle school curriculum, I know that the textbooks for all my students (7's and 9's; I don't teach the 8's) have cursive samples in the front of the book, and some, not all, of the students have filled the sections in. Of course it could just be there for show, I haven't really asked.

[cazador83]

i'm not sure about korea (or even if it is IN the curriculum here), but in the States it's taught starting in 3rd grade.

[green3km]

I've started the cursive lesson for a few classes and so far none have them have had any knowledge of it beforehand. Course, I do teach at a rural high school very low on the totem pole, so that isn't saying much.

So far they really seem to be enjoying it, even the boys who usually sleep in the back corner. Thanks for the input everyone! It really helped!

[crisdean]

so I asked around today, apparently the sections are just there for show, none of the teachers actually teach cursive, apparently the students that have filled it out did it simply because they knew how.

[I-am-me]

I taught it two periods once in HS. Kids loved it. Gave them some handouts and we just practiced. They liked to write their english names in cursive. Didnt really put much more time into it than that.