The Old Folks Home

[vehve]

Al, hang in there. Don't worry, the sun will rise again in March.

In regards to handwriting, mine is horrible. I usually write all uppercase if I need to be able to read it later, or especially if someone else needs to. But it's a skill that most people really have no use for anymore. I think it's good that it's being dropped from the curriculum, since learning to have pretty handwriting takes away time from other things. But I agree on the home ec, that's something that teaches many people important life skills that they will be using on a daily basis. I don't think I really learned a lot in home ec, since I already knew how to cook when we got it in 7th grade. But for many people it's their first introduction to the kitchen, and that's a good thing. Learning to use a sewing machine, and to do some basic woodwork is also important in my opinion. You don't need to make everyone a carpenter, but it's surprising how many people are completely useless with a drill or screwdriver.

 

[drumstick diva]

Alaskan, tell us about it - then you'll feel better

 

[getaclue]

I am a southpaw. There was a lot of stigma attached to being left handed back then. In 3rd. grade, when we were learning cursive, the teachers and curriculum were not geared to teach left handed students, thus my handwriting was so bad it made any doctor's handwriting look like good penmanship. My dad went to a place in Tampa called The Pen Store. He was talking to the owner about it, and asked if there was anything to help left handed people to write. The man sold him a small paper booklet. It was only about 10 pages, and only cost $1.50. The man told him it was the best teaching aid for handwriting. Dad brought it home, and gave it to me. I read it, and began practicing, and doing all the things it said to do. Within a short time, my handwriting was good. I kept practicing, and within 3 months, I was at the stage where I could begin to personalize my style. My dad had bought more than the booklet that day. He had gotten me a very nice cartridge fountain pen. It was my reward for improving my handwriting so much. I used that pen all the way through elementary, jr. high, and high school. I don't do calligraphy. I simply learned good penmanship.

 

[vehve]

We had a math teacher through the 7-9th grades who was originally Estonian, but had been brought up in the Soviet school system, somewhere in St. Petersburg. That guy was amazing, as there were no left handed people in Russia, he had to learn to write with his right hand. He was also very good at math, and had a knack for teaching it. And he was quite the linguistic savant as well, the guy spoke 11 languages, plus sign language. But it was really freaky when he was doing stuff on the blackboard, as he used both hands to write. It was cool when he just had a piece of chalk in both hands and swished away through what he was teaching. He was good at motivating people too, everyone who scored a 10 on the test he treated out to dinner at a restaurant.

 

[drumstick diva]

What a nice dad. Glad it helped you so much. My friend (many years ago) was a southpaw and she said the nuns were always smacking her with a ruler and telling her the devil was on her shoulder. Regardless she did have very nice penmanship.

 

[drumstick diva]

Wow great teacher. How many '10's did you get Felix?

 

[vehve]

I had 10 in two subjects in my last report card, which should represent all of classes 7-9. Those were in math, and religion. I'm very far from a religious person, or interested in religion for that, but the teacher we had was always hinting that there might be a pop quiz next time, and reading through one page of notes pretty much guaranteed a 10 in the test. And being a bit of a skeptic, I kept questioning things during the lessons, which made me an active student there. So easy A, so to speak, if we go with the Merkan grading system.

 

[chickadoodles]

Total has been one of those days... If I were a recovering addict I would be falling of the wagon right now.

I hope it is a better day for you today Alaskan.

 

[Peep_Show]

My ex's aunt *was* a southpaw. They actually gave her electroshock therapy to try to correct it. Imagine! Actually, though, the whole family had personality/behavior issues, so I think there may have been more to it......

 

[Peep_Show]

On the other hand, my grandmother was left-handed and more than half of we cousins are lefties AND PROUD OF IT!