Any Spencerian Penmanship people out there?

[Shelly in IL]

We are considering this for fall. We have used HWT for years, and we want a new look. Is this a doable program, and is it easy to implement? Thanks.

[happygrrl]

I am hoping some folks will chime in... I am considering this for *myself*! I plan to do it while the others do their handwriting. It looks beautiful.

[Debbie in OR]

I have the books because my ds9 wanted to be able to write like his hero, George Washington. When I looked through the instructions, I just closed it back up again because it looked like too many words to be "easy". But then again, I am a "Just-give-me-the-bullets" kind of a gal. However, my ds9 picked it up and started copying the letters beautifully within a few attempts. The theory book has "9 Easy Lessons", which are short,and go through each letter but require alot of analyzing of your writing for measurement and spacing...very precise. They do include practice books with examples of the slanting, spacing and measuring at the top of each page so if you can sit and copy, it could be done fairly easily without having to use all the theory.

Honestly, I am not detailed enough to have the patience for the theory part. My ds, however, will spend alot of time practicing and love it. I do, however, want to learn how to make a really pretty capital T, L, and F because, well, I can't right now. I'm pretty sure I have the patience to master those three.

[Reya]

I have the books because my ds9 wanted to be able to write like his hero, George Washington.

But Spencerian was an invention of the Victorian age. Washington wrote very, very differently.

I dislike it because even when it's gorgeous, it's frequently very hard to read. In fact, often, the prettier it is, the harder it is to discern the letters. I read a lot of old letters, from 70-150 years old. Lovely Spencerian handwriting generally tears a groan of despair from my chest as a result. :-)

[clwcain]

Some of this was discussed in the Fountain Pen (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25719) thread in the General Board a couple of weeks ago.

The script that was in dominant use among English-speaking aristocrats of the late 19th century is known as Copperplate. You can easily find books on this through Amazon.

I've looked at Spencerian programs and I haven't found anything that blew me away. The Sull's are, from what I gather, still developing their American Cursive Curriculum. So you're limited to the resources they've produced for adults. The other one I've seen is a reprint of mid-19th century copybook models. *shrug*

I don't have anything against them, but I prefer different styles both aesthetically and pedagogically.

[Debbie in OR]

[quote=Reya;258150]But Spencerian was an invention of the Victorian age. Washington wrote very, very differently.

True, but in his 9 yo mind, anything that's "fancy" is G. Washington writing!

[mom2moon2]

From what I've heard, Spencerian penmanship allows the students to write fast and legibly at the same time. THe newer type of cursive, i.e. palmer is developed mainly for business writing. They are highly legible when written slowly. However, if you're trying to speed up with it, then the writing is going to be non-legible.

Smithhand (SMith HAnd) has a cursive course for 4th grader up which teaches simpler Spencerian. Well, they don't say it is a Spencerian. But they say it's a narrow letter cursive, much like Spencerian, but, it's simpler. IT allows the student to write legibly and fast.

HTH.
Dian

[Reya]

True, but in his 9 yo mind, anything that's "fancy" is G. Washington writing!

Ah! Then I'd do Zaner-Bloser and add calligraphy!

[Debbie in OR]

Calligraphy...that's a great idea! Thanks:001_smile: