My daughter and I were discussing the course she would take in teaching my GD writing. I started to do a little research on line, and before I realized it, I bought a (used) book, Handwriting in America, by Tamara Thornton. This book is a cultural history, as is stated by the book's subtitle. I have found some surprises in this book. Here are a few:

1. Although not reflective of the entire nation, in the late eighteenth century in New England, nearly all men and women could read. However, writing was another story. Most could only read print, but not writing, as most could not write.

2. Writing,  was mainly considered the skill of a merchant.

3. In the 17th and 18th centuries, "the novice penman learned to cut a proper nib from a goose, raven, or crow quill with a penknife." Not only the pen was not ready-made but neither was the ink. The paper also needed to be properly treated.

4. The writing master was only considered a master craftsman. The gentlemen sported "bad handwriting."

5. Handwriting as we know it, taught within the public schools coincided with inexpensive steel nibs and commercially made ink.

6.The handwriting that Laura Wilder probably would have learned--or at least similar to, was the Spencerian method. I believe that is what the Prairie Primer recommends. (Even as an adult, she used cheap paper and wrote with a pencil, due, I am certain, to her life long frugal habits born out of necessity.)

7. As the requirements of public education have increased, handwriting becomes less of a priority, and becomes a subtle problem.

8. Today, as in years past, the individual "personalized" their handwriting, diverting from the models they learned from.

9. I had preconceived notions as to how things were done in the past. As most of us only use the handwriting "standard" from the Palmer method, which came after the Spencerian method, it wasn't a complete understanding of handwriting in the past.

This book goes into a lot that I haven't even mentioned. 

This is an interesting site to peruse   http://www.iampeth.com/lessons.htm#ladies_hand

As in any skill, if you take your time and practice correctly and consistently, you will master the skill. Handwriting is no exception.

I have changed my mind several times in teaching my children handwriting. I don't know what choices I would make concerning a penmanship curriculum today. What have been your choices? What would you do or have done differently?

Gigi:

Today, as in years past, the individual "personalized" their handwriting, diverting from the models they learned from

Guilty party here. I write actually in half cursive and half in print, even in the same word.

Thanks Gigi... I learned something today!
 

Luvd_Lioness:

Guilty party here. I write actually in half cursive and half in print, even in the same word.

were we separated at birth?????? my handwirting is this mixure of what i refer to as "printive" half print, half cursive, ive even been know to switch back and forth between the 2 in really long words

 I'm the same way, I use both and often in the same word, and always am using both in the same sentence.

I do the same half write and print. When it says print your name and then write your name I tend to do it the same.  since dd is learning to print, it is hard to write the words out in print form correctly so it is not confusing for her. especially since I am left handed and she is right handed.   I have noticed older people seniors do have beautiful hand writing !

(I'm normally not posting in this section but I find this interesting).

Gigi, in that handbook does it mention what style of handwriting was used in the 18th century, when most of the US documents were founded? I have watched countless shows on PBS and have seen where F's look like S's, there is no line going through, in a script style. Made reading it fast on tv kind of hard due to the style.

I agree, older generations tend to have better handwriting. I do get praised often about mine (I'm very neat), and have always gotten A's in handwriting when in school. But mine is not the same (see above post).  

latte4me2day:

 

were we separated at birth??????

ROFL! I think we must have... considering we're the only one's in here going to the store in pj's and slippers too!

 

Luvd_Lioness:

ROFL! I think we must have... considering we're the only one's in here going to the store in pj's and slippers too!

yeah i almost edited it to add that  in too!

 How to Read 18th Century British-American Writing is an interesting article.

I have the Spencerian penmanship set. I had this wild idea of beginning with the learning of letters and practicing them in the primary and intermediate years through the use of copy books then using the Spencerian set and a year of calligraphy in high school. This is not happening with my first two children.

In the book, Handwriting in America, under the chapter, "Handwriting in Colonial America," there is a two page listing and examples of the multiple hands of the eighteenth century. The listing included German Text, Round Text, Square Text, Round Hand, Engrossing, Old English Print, Italick Print, Roman Print, Italian Hand, and Court Hand. Then as now, styles fell in and out of favor. What I thought interesting, however, was that the print styles reflected the script styles, and not the other way round.

I was surprised to learn that , "the system of classifying hands by class, occupation, and gender remained intact in its conceptual essentials." "Tagging handwriting with the social identity of its producer prevented any potential confusion of social status that would have occurred had all handwriting been executed in the same script." (page 23) 

The reason the older generations had better handwriting was due to the emphasis and strict methods employed in the classrooms. As I have read recently, it takes 10,000 hrs. of practice to be a master at any skill. We all tend to look at those with a neat hand in "awe." In reality, the person takes their time and places importance on it. Betty Edwards, in her book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, believes a person can improve their handwriting. I have also read articles where there has been a connection between art and writing, but the information found in the "Handwriting" book does not support this notion. The older methods emphasized the fact that writing could not be drawn, but a skill learned that I would describe to be in the same manner as playing an instrument.

Is handwriting important today when computer skills and typing are our main means of communication? I laugh thinking back to the beginnings of the feminist movement, when women were encouraged not to learn how to type lest they only be hired as a secretary! I thought it silly at the time, and my typing skills have been a real blessing to me, and I was never hired as a secretary! 

I think handwriting is more important than we give credit to this skill. Thank you notes, that should be used for more than thanking someone for a gift, are little used gems today. They should all be handwritten. I am at fault. I remember telling the elementary school teacher of my extremely left-handed son, that his handwriting skills were not that important. He did learn to touch type, as I taught all my children, and he went to professional school. When he graduated, they told them they must make their signatures even more "personal," meaning, to me, "messy." Go figure.