The Educator (Volume 45) - IAMPETH

16
The Part Instruction In Handwriting Plays
In Establishing Human Relationships
Two vital elements have played an
important part in man's progress and
in his human relationships. They are
metal and handwriting. Neolithic
man who lived about 3000 B.C. was
handicapped in his progress because
he had only stone tools, and because
he had no system of writing to record
his deeds or to communicate
with his neighboring tribes. But in
this same period the Egyptian in the
Nile Valley was using a copper chisel
to shape the wonderfully cut stones
of the pyramids. He was advancing
along all lines because he had developed
a system of writing, and so was
not dependent upon word of mouth
for the management of his affairs.
Today this group is to consider and
discuss the functions of handwriting
in developing human relationships.
The Educational Policies Commission
in its recent publication, "The
Purpose of Education in American
Democracy" has stated the objectives
of human relationships. Respect for
Humanity is placed first on the list.
With this ob.jective in mind it is clear
that very citizen should be able to
write a simple and straightforward
statement in clear and legible English.
Since handwriting plays such
an important part in stamping out
illiteracy, its value is easily recognized
in education for human relationships.
Good writing is a good habit and
good habits are essential in considering
the well being of others. Good
writing is the result of many repetitive
attempts. In the elementary
grades much practice is needed to fix
the habit, but this practice need not
become meaningless, monotonous
drills. The school can and does provide
many situations in which the
children recognize the need for handwriting.
The Rules for Safety have a direct
bearing on this objective of respect
for humanity. In one school the
safety patrol in teams of two, visit
the classrooms on Monday of each
week to present a safety slogan. One
member of the team gives a brief but
serious talk on the meaning of the
slogan selected for the week. As he
steps aside, the other member of the
team writes the slogan on the blackboard.
This second person is selected
from the group of sixth grade pupils
who competed in the city handwriting
contest.
Miss Anna Seiberling
Fourth Grade Teacher, Brighton Ave. School, Atlantic City, N. J.
Sponsored by Handwriting Department, N. J. Educational Association
This activity accomplishes a twofold
purpose in the field of handwriting.
In the first place, the writer's
achievement is being recognized in
a very practical way. In the second
place, the other pupils in the school
have an opportunity of seeing good
handwriting demonstrated, which acts
as an incentive to spur on their
efforts. These slogans remain on the
blackboard for a week and furnish
appropriate material for writing lessons,
provided a handwriting slogan
or some salient point is injected for
emphasis. This may be on position,
slant, size or whatever factor needs
attention. Herein is the secret of
progressive teaching. When engaged
in such a writing activity one must
never lose sight of the fact that writing
is a tool subject and requires
much repetitive drill to attain a satisfactory
degree of skill and one of
the several factors which make for
legibility must be emphasized with
each drill unit.
When you see good, free
writing, you say that per-
son has training.
The educated person enjoys a rich,
sincere and varied social life. This
is very difficult in our present highly
organized social life, especially in the
big city where social groups are large
and complex. The school is an important
agency through which children
can enjoy the simple, honest and
sincere forms of community life.
Many happy and wholesome relationships
are established which involve
handwriting.
As teachers we can do much to
develop a human interest in the new
pupil. He has become a member of
a social group and should be received
as such. If the class writes the name
of the new pupil and the place from
which he or she came, the ice will
be broken. If, in addition, they write
a short complimentary sentence, a
friendly relationship will at once be
established.
A birthday is an important event
in the life of every child and can
be recognized in a writing lesson.
Then there are letters to sick classmates,
invitations to parties or programs,
and acceptances to invitations.
The heading of a letter can be used
frequently for a writing lesson, with
special attention to arrangement.
There are messages to be written
on Christmas cards and Valentines.
These furnish suitable material for
writing lessons, with special emphasis
on size, arrangement and letter
forms where needed.
Children like to exchange letters
with classes in other cities, thus
widening their circle of friendships.
Sometimes these letters can be requests
for research material or they
can accompany research material
which is being sent to another city.
It is said that the greatest use for
handwriting by adults is found in
various forms of letter writing. The
common laboring man and the housewife
write letters and they are often
called upon to write their signatures.
Because of this universal need for
letter writing, it becomes an impoi'tant
subject for every grade.
Cooperation is another essential in
establishing human relationships. Too
often the schools have been guilty of
stressing competition, thereby destroying
friendships. Team work is
possible even in handwriting. Children
will help each other if they are
all working toward a common goal.
It mav h° the school newspaper or a
class booklet. In one school, children
are compiling a "Good Deeds" booklet.
The good deed has to be reported
in the third person, but it is
written in the first person. Here is
an opportunity to practice some of
the letters r-r groups of lettei'S that
occur frequently.
An educated person observes the
amenities of social behavior. There
are certain social customs that ought
to be learned by every child. If a
class received an invitation to a party
or a program, an acknowledgement
is proper. After listening to a program
given by another class, a little
nite of appreciation, well worded and
well written, will do much toward
fastening a feeling of friendliness.
At the same time the children are
being trained to observe the social
custom of the "bread and butter"
letter. Recently, a class that had
been invited to a play in another
school, wrote their reactions in the
form of "Critics' News." The children
who received them were delighted
to read the favorable comments. |
(Continued on Page 24)