The Clarkson Historical Society hopes to revive interest in cursive writing which is disappearing from the curriculum in schools and from our culture. On August 20, 21, and 22 volunteers are conducting the organization’s first “Summer School Camp.” The camp will include the teaching of cursive writing, history, games and reading stories, all typical at the Clarkson Academy in the 1940s and 50s.
“Put your John Hancock there” has been a common expression meaning to sign on the line. It refers to John Hancock’s signature on the Declaration of Independence which is so bold and embellished that it stands out from the other signatures. It came to be the emblem for each person’s signature affirming his or her unique identity on any document including petitions, legal or governmental matters, or confirming a loving message from the soul.
The “John Hancock” idiom is disappearing along with the teaching of cursive handwriting. Can school kids today read the original Declaration of Independence and recognize the names signed? By not learning script, they are deprived of the ability to read the distinct visual expression in original historic documents.
Closer to home and families, can children today read a handwritten message added to a birthday card from a grandparent? What about old family letters bundled in the attic? Chris Mazzarella, one of the teachers for the camp, remembers an older cousin during World War II who received many letters from her boyfriend in the service. “They were all in cursive and who is going to be able to read these family treasures in the future?”
A typed or printed personal letter lacks the emotive appeal of a handwritten letter. Cursive writing is as unique to each person as a fingerprint or DNA. Although typing or printing can convey content in a personal note, a person’s distinctive handwriting, thoughtfully penned by hand, visually expresses the writer’s personality and genuine feeling.
The Summer School Camp is for 20 youngsters going into fourth and fifth grades. Monica Anderson, Chris Mazzarella, and Ruth Rath will teach the cursive writing and other classes. Mazzarella and Rath are retired Brockport Central School District teachers who taught cursive writing in the third and fourth grades. Anderson is a volunteer in the Rochester City School District primary grades and previously volunteered in Brockport schools. From 9:30 to noon each day, cursive writing will be taught first, followed by recess to play period games. Then, they will gather for reading, hearing stories and snippets of history from the period, and singing American folk songs. The youngsters will relive the past with classes held in the restored classroom on the second floor of the academy built in 1853.
Mary Edwards is president of the Clarkson Historical Society and has organized the camp. She was asked what the students may get from the course. “They won’t likely be able to write full sentences. I call this a tasting menu, a taste of this and that, with cursive being the most demanding,” she said. “I hope at the least they will learn and be proud of their written signatures which will be useful to them all through life.”
In the initial planning Edwards was joined by Leanna Hale, Clarkson Town Historian, and Chris Albrecht, fourth grade teacher at BCS. Also involved with teaching or teacher planning are: Mary Edwards, Leanna Hale, Jerry Lemke, and Pam Mercer.
For other information phone Mary Edwards at 637-5810.
Scientific evidence of cursive writing benefits
There are many scientific studies that show links run deep between handwriting and broader educational development. The studies show “Children not only learn to read more quickly when they first learn to write by hand, but they also remain better able to generate ideas and retain information,” writes Maria Konnikova in the June 2, 2014 New York Times (“What’s Lost as Handwriting Fades?”) “In other words, it’s not just what we write that matters – but how.” She cites many studies, including one “that found when children drew a letter freehand, they exhibited increased activity in three significant areas of the brain, which didn’t happen when they traced or typed the letter.”
Brockport Central School District’s position on cursive writing
Brockport Central School District maintains formal instructions for cursive writing in the third grade, and individualized support in grades 4 and 5. However, the importance of cursive writing as part of the curriculum has lessened, according to BCS Communication Specialist Debbie Moyer.
“We want to ensure all students have a comprehensive, well-rounded instructional program,” said Susan Hasenauer-Curtis, assistant to the superintendent for elementary instruction.
Hill Elementary School Principal Sean Bruno says, “We are preparing students for their future, which will be technology dependent. This means that we incorporate an increasing amount of embedded technology into the instructional day, in addition to printing and cursive.
Photo by Dianne Hickerson
Printed in the August 3, 2014 issue of Suburban News West Edition and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald.
