The Inspired Writer blog. Writing, learning, and living with the Common Core Standards.

Is the Pencil Becoming Obsolete?

By Suzanne Klein on 10/17/2011 2:24 PM
Though K-5 students are required by the Common Core to practice writing with digital tools, writing by hand seems to stimulate brain development far more than keyboarding. Though K-5 students are required by the Common Core to practice writing with digital tools, writing by hand does far more to stimulate brain development.
There's been a lot of talk about ditching handwriting instruction  -- some districts are making it optional after second grade! WriteSteps is not a handwriting program, but we're impressed by research that connects old-fashioned pencil and paper skills to higher-level brain development.

WriteSteps focuses on the essential writing skills outlined in the ELA Common Cores (including digital tools like keyboarding), but also gives children plenty of practice writing by hand.  Have you seen the surprising research on handwriting and the brain?
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