Big Spring SD to reintroduce weekly cursive instruction for grades 3–5

Big Spring School District staff told the Committee of the Whole on Aug. 18 that the district will reintroduce weekly cursive instruction for students in grades 3 through 5.

Mrs. Donato introduced the plan and said Toni Wimmer, the elementary librarian, "cursive writing is going to be taught weekly to students in grades 3, 4, and 5 during library." The presenters said keyboarding and digital citizenship will continue to be taught alongside handwriting instruction.

The presenters described a grade-by-grade scope and sequence: third grade will focus on forming lowercase letters and connecting them to write first and last names; fourth grade will add uppercase formation; and fifth grade will focus on applying cursive to words, sentences and reading. The district said evidence of learning will include formative assessments and writing tasks to check students' application of skills.

Board members voiced support. The chair said, "I think it's important that our students have this ability," noting practical reasons such as signing documents. A board member, Ms. Vivian, told the presenters community members had asked for cursive's return and called it a "beautiful art form." The presenters said classroom teachers will reinforce practice during regular lessons (for example, morning messages and spelling work).

District staff said the curriculum package will be completed by the Donato team and presented for formal approval at the Sept. 2 board meeting. No vote was taken at the Aug. 18 Committee of the Whole session.