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Pen or pencil?
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Just wondering at what grade you allow your children to switch? I grew up learning to use a pen early on with my homework, but then I was pushed into it by my German father who hATed the sight of pencil smears. I was embarrased at the time because I was the different kid in class and always having to explain to all of my teachers why I didn’t use a pencil like everyone else LOL! Now I get it. I look at my daughter’s beautiful copywork and dictation pieces and I cringe…pieces that were painstakingly perfect have lost their glow because of the pencil use. She just started 4th grade and I allow her to use a really lovely pen…the old saying of taking pride in your work is really true!
For what it’s worth, and maybe I am over thinking this whole thing but……I loved writing with a pen and spent tONs of paper time perfecting my handwriting. To this day, it’s one thing that I am always complimented on 🙂 I have friends who do not have ther kids practice penmanship whatsoever and several that do not even plan to teach cursive! Is it me?! Am I as old-fashioned as they say, teaching the girls the art of proper handwriting in this computerized world??
This is an interesting question! I’m not sure I have a “right” answer, but here’s what happening at our house: My kids are begging to use pen (they ask most often for dictation or other language work, and for written narrations – which we have only just started). They insist the pen is more comfortable to hold … “especially now that you’re making us do ALL this extra writing, Mama!” I let them try once in a while, but for the most part just keep holding them off for the reason that they’ll be unable to erase spelling mistakes and it will complicate the process when we want to do corrections or edits. They are still so early in the writing process, there are often several items per session that we work on correcting. Having said this, it is tempting to “yes” to pens because they seem to have a more positive mental outlook/pride in their work whenever we do use them.
Can’t wait to see what others have to say on this! Angie
There was just an article somewhere about how a child practicing cursive is using his brain and it’s good for the brain. I personally have decided to go the italic route with my girls. As for pencil or pen — I think it’s up to you! My girls try to use pen and I make them use pencil for school work. I LOVE being able to erase (I use pencil everywhere I can – planner, checkbook, reading journal, etc.).
Whatever works for you! Perhaps you can compromise — pen for copywork and letter-writing; pencil for math and dictation or whatever.
I teach cursive from the start like my parents were taught in school. My dd12 and ds9 both have nice penmanship. Dd12 uses pen except for math. If she makes a mistake a single strike through works fine. Ds9 will likely transition to pen this coming year in 4th. It is a more fluid experience IMHO.
Pen does require less pressure and is often easier for a child who tires quickly at writing tasks (issues with small motor skills, etc.). I am teaching cursive “my way” (the way I was taught, though I’m not sure which “style” it would be). I don’t believe it is necessary to spend a ton on cursive materials for a particular “style”. My own “everyday handwriting” is a mixture of print and cursive, so it’s been good practice for me as well. We will be typing up the majority of our written narrations, so I don’t have a problem if my ds prefers pen for note-taking or anything that is not graded. We will transition to pen for copywork this year, I think.
Ultimately, if your comfortable with your child using pen, and you feel it adds to pride in her work and more careful attention and concentration, start transitioning her. Obviously it is easier to correct mistakes in pencil, so I would stick with pencil in Math.
Don’t want to highjack the thread but given that this started on the subject of handwriting and having nice writing, I see the mention of cursive first. I assume this is because starting cursive first eventually means nicer penmanship? Christie (I think it is Christie), would you mind sharing which penmanship cursive program you have had best success with? I like the mention of pen being a more fluid experience, too! That is exactly what my kids would say 🙂
I have used two programs successfully – Cursive First which has reproducible worksheets and Pencil Pete, a software program. I’ve shared here before about our story.
http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/teaching-cursive-please-help#post-48181
I always just let my oldest use whatever he wanted, except math is done with a pencil. But I had to laugh when he turned in his first college assignment done in pencil. The instructor told him to use pen from now on. I haven’t even thought about it with the other kids-they are much younger than their older brother. I might have to have my new high schooler start using pen!
For sure, it’s an individual thing. My oldest daughter needs exercise in being neat, so I make her use pencil so that I can have her erase and do over.
We teach manuscript first and then cursive in 2nd grade and typing in 4th or 5th. We are still using pencil. I grew tired of all the various cheap pencils and this year bought some black warriors with the pink pearl erasers. I think they need pencil for math and drawing. But I might try letting them do copywork in pen.
Can anyone recommend a good writing ink pen for the children? I would like something comfortable to hold, smooth writing and not leaky.
Here’s something to consider about using pens in writing composition
http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/files/convert_to_pens.pdf
Adream~~very cool, thank you for sharing! This explains alot of what I was thinking, too. So from now on, it’s pen all the way except for math….woohoo!
And to everyone else, thank you for chiming in and your tips! All are greatly appreciated 🙂
Wings2fly~~I used the Pelikan fountain pens when I grew up, so I am ordering the Pelikan Junior for each of my girls. You do need to purchase separate ink cartridges, just fyi. Might not be what you had in mind, but thought I would share 🙂
That article from andream was great, thank you for sharing! This makes so much sense to me as my boys are often complaining of sore hand. thanks again, Angie
My daughter asked if she could start using pen this year and so I found this one that is supposed to be very comfortable for lefties, but my son can use it as well. I like the feel of it myself. The weirdest part is that my little sons hand & my hand are so different in size and yet both work with this pen. I will let her use the pen for everything but math, dictation, and Handwriting. I believe these need a pencil for now.
Here is an update to the file andream linked to:
http://iew.com/sites/default/files/article/fileattachment/convert_to_pens.pdf
I am going to have my son starting grade 6 switch to ink pen this year. I think it may help him write quicker. Really, I probably should have had him use pen last year or even in 4th grade.
I am thinking of trying the Pentel Energel with a metal tip or the pilot G2 gel roller ball. Both are gel, retractible, refillable, and have a built-in comfort grip. Any reviews or other suggestions?
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