Handwritten Notes
I had an interesting conversation with my students today. We are finally talking about writing. It's my favorite time of the semester. Today I provided a quote about the importance of being able to write in order to be a productive citizen of the world. They were to respond in their notebook their agreement or disagreement and then share. Such amazing discussion erupted. What about the value of storytelling handed down over generations? What do we value in a global society in terms of communication? Does technology preclude us from writing and teaching handwriting? I love these classes and I adore these students.
The conversation about handwriting and being able to write "well" was the interesting part. Yes, technology is advancing. Students can be supported by talk to text programs that have greatly improved. Students can have a scribe write for them and still communicate. Students text at younger ages. Students use icons and emojis. It's all true. However, I asked them how many of them loved getting a handwritten note from someone. The majority of them responded immediately with a smile or a nod. Writing is the physical representation of our inner thoughts. When someone takes the time to create this physical representation of their feelings it is somehow more meaningful than an email or a text. First of all, we can hold it and revisit it. It's tangible in a different way. It takes time and time is valuable so, in turn, it makes us feel valued. I told them that I hoped that the personal touch of a handwritten note never lost its power. Others agreed that a letter written can change a life in powerful ways. They spoke of famous letters and also personal letters that had changed their paths.
In my office is a handwritten letter from my beloved Uncle Norman, a man who changed my path. It hangs there in remembrance of the impact he had on my life. There is a handwritten note from my dearest friend reminding me of our high school days and the way we signed all of our notes. There are a few cards with handwritten messages from former students and colleagues that provide me with reminders that I can make a difference in this wide world. They will never lose their power over me.
There is something special about physically writing something. I've been suffering a deep loss of a special person in my life. I write to them daily in a journal. It's my physical way of maintaining that connection and working through my grief. Typing it out just wouldn't be the therapy my heart is needing. For me, the therapy is in the pen.
I really hope my students see the value of handwritten communication. It's so easy to type out a blog post, an email, a text, an assignment, a social media post and these are all important in today's world for communicating and connecting with people and the world. I hope they take the opportunity to slow down once in awhile and leave a handwritten note on a student's desk or to leave a colleague a note of encouragement with pen to paper. Of course, if they leave a note in cursive on their student's desk they may have to help them to read it but that's another blog post entirely.
Write a note to someone this week. Encourage them. Thank them. Support them. Notice them. Let them know they are worth the time.
The conversation about handwriting and being able to write "well" was the interesting part. Yes, technology is advancing. Students can be supported by talk to text programs that have greatly improved. Students can have a scribe write for them and still communicate. Students text at younger ages. Students use icons and emojis. It's all true. However, I asked them how many of them loved getting a handwritten note from someone. The majority of them responded immediately with a smile or a nod. Writing is the physical representation of our inner thoughts. When someone takes the time to create this physical representation of their feelings it is somehow more meaningful than an email or a text. First of all, we can hold it and revisit it. It's tangible in a different way. It takes time and time is valuable so, in turn, it makes us feel valued. I told them that I hoped that the personal touch of a handwritten note never lost its power. Others agreed that a letter written can change a life in powerful ways. They spoke of famous letters and also personal letters that had changed their paths.
In my office is a handwritten letter from my beloved Uncle Norman, a man who changed my path. It hangs there in remembrance of the impact he had on my life. There is a handwritten note from my dearest friend reminding me of our high school days and the way we signed all of our notes. There are a few cards with handwritten messages from former students and colleagues that provide me with reminders that I can make a difference in this wide world. They will never lose their power over me.
There is something special about physically writing something. I've been suffering a deep loss of a special person in my life. I write to them daily in a journal. It's my physical way of maintaining that connection and working through my grief. Typing it out just wouldn't be the therapy my heart is needing. For me, the therapy is in the pen.
I really hope my students see the value of handwritten communication. It's so easy to type out a blog post, an email, a text, an assignment, a social media post and these are all important in today's world for communicating and connecting with people and the world. I hope they take the opportunity to slow down once in awhile and leave a handwritten note on a student's desk or to leave a colleague a note of encouragement with pen to paper. Of course, if they leave a note in cursive on their student's desk they may have to help them to read it but that's another blog post entirely.
Write a note to someone this week. Encourage them. Thank them. Support them. Notice them. Let them know they are worth the time.
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