For this task, like Ellen, I chose to create a manual script. I am immediately struck by the preciseness of Ellen’s writing, and how perfect each letter is. I can tell that she has taken her time to carefully and purposefully construct each letter. Although we are both drawn to cursive writing, I mention that I appreciate that it is faster than printing, whereas cursive allows Ellen to slow down and be mindful of her writing. This difference could be related to the differences of where we were constructing our scripts. Ellen was in her Dad’s office and was using a yellow pad of paper that had sentiment attached to it. I was laying on my bed, headphones in with lo-fi beats, writing in my familiar leather bound journal.
Ellen also mentions that she finds the task “unusually calming,” which resonates with me. I have a daily journaling practice, as it allows me to focus on myself, connect, and settle my mind.
I wonder how many of my students actually know how to write in cursive, and can they read cursive writing? Do my students journal? If they do, do they do it by hand? Or is their journal simply a collection of saved Snapchat stories, memes, and TikToks?