The D'Nealian Method (sometimes misspelled Denealian) is a style of writing and teaching handwriting based on Latin script which was developed between 1965 and 1978 by Donald N. Thurber (1927–2020) in Michigan, United States. Building on his experience as a primary school teacher, Thurber aimed to make the transition from print writing to cursive easier for learners.
Donald Neal Thurber (December 15, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan – January 6, 2020 in Monroe, Michigan) received a bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo and a master's degree from Eastern Michigan University. He began teaching elementary pupils in Luna Pier in 1953. While teaching first grade in 1961, Thurber examined what he regarded the illogic of handwriting education in the US. From 1965, he developed the D'Nealian Method as an alternative to teaching scripts then available. The name of the D'Nealian Method comes from Thurber's first name contracted with his middle name ("Neal"). Thurber's system of writing was first publicly introduced in the United States in 1978. Thurber eventually retired in 1984 as principal of Chapman Elementary School.[1]
The D'Nealian Method of handwriting is derived from the Palmer Method with an alphabet comprising two different sets of letters – one for print writing (sometimes also called "manuscript printing"), and one for cursive writing.[2] Thirteen letters change shape between print and cursive, while the slant of 85 degrees, measured counterclockwise from the base line, does not change at all.
Thurber designed the D'Nealian Method to alleviate the problems with teaching children the traditional script method and the subsequent difficulty transitioning to cursive writing.[3]
When learning the D'Nealian Method of handwriting, students are first taught a form of print writing devised by Thurber. The letters of D'Nealian print writing have many similarities with the cursive version.[3] In the second step, so-called "monkey tails"[4] are added to the print writing, which in the third step are joined together to form the D'Nealian cursive script.[5]
Prevalenceedit
When the D'Nealian Method was introduced in 1978, it quickly became popular and led to a significant decline in the use of the previously leading Zaner-Bloser Method.[3][6] In theory, it is easier for children to learn and acquire basic handwriting skills using D'Nealian than traditional cursive methods.[3]
It has been claimed that close to 90% of US schoolchildren who follow the traditional print-then-cursive route to handwriting are taught either the Zaner-Bloser or the D'Nealian alphabet.[citation needed]
Criticismedit
A key issue with Thurber's system is the manner of letter formation. The addition of so-called "monkey tails"[4] to print writing as learners progress to cursive writing effectively adds a further step to the teaching and learning path. While some find such an additional step beneficial for a smooth transition from print writing to cursive, others view it as unnecessarily complicating how children are taught to write.
Another common issue is that D'Nealian is taught extremely early, to first and second grade students, many of whom are still learning the rudiments of print writing. At times, some school districts have abruptly changed their teaching of handwriting, possibly causing difficulties for students who must then adapt to a different style.
A 1993 research review by Steve Graham concludes that "there is no credible evidence" that D'Nealian makes a difference in children's handwriting. He also states that D'Nealian creates practical problems for teachers (who must themselves learn the system and defend it to parents) and that it requires many young children to unlearn writing forms that they have already developed before formal instruction.[7]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to D'Nealian Method.
^Zaborney, Mark (January 10, 2020). "Donald Thurber Obituary (1927 - 2020) - LaSalle, MI - The Blade". Legacy.
^Charlotte Mason: Zaner Bloser vs. D’Nealian (online)
^ abcdViadero, Debra (6 October 1993). "D'Nealian Handwriting Method Abandons 'Ball-and-Stick' Approach". Education Week. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
^ ab. mcnattlearningcenter.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-23. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
^Mann, Leslie (January 5, 2003). "Tracing cursive's history". Chicago Tribune. p. 8 – via ProQuest.
^Makala, Jeffrey. "Born to Please, Art of Handwriting Instruction, Spencerian and Palmer methods". University Libraries' Rare Books and Special Collections. University of South Carolina. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
^Sheehan, Robert J.; Graham, Steve (1993). "Are slanted manuscript alphabets superior to the traditional manuscript alphabet?". Childhood Education. 70 (2): 91–95. doi:10.1080/00094056.1993.10521001..
January 19, 2024
nealian, method, sometimes, misspelled, denealian, style, writing, teaching, handwriting, based, latin, script, which, developed, between, 1965, 1978, donald, thurber, 1927, 2020, michigan, united, states, building, experience, primary, school, teacher, thurbe. The D Nealian Method sometimes misspelled Denealian is a style of writing and teaching handwriting based on Latin script which was developed between 1965 and 1978 by Donald N Thurber 1927 2020 in Michigan United States Building on his experience as a primary school teacher Thurber aimed to make the transition from print writing to cursive easier for learners An example of D Nealian print writing Using The School Oblique Typeface Contents 1 History 2 Description 3 Prevalence 4 Criticism 5 See also 6 ReferencesHistory editDonald Neal Thurber December 15 1927 in Detroit Michigan January 6 2020 in Monroe Michigan received a bachelor s degree from the University of Toledo and a master s degree from Eastern Michigan University He began teaching elementary pupils in Luna Pier in 1953 While teaching first grade in 1961 Thurber examined what he regarded the illogic of handwriting education in the US From 1965 he developed the D Nealian Method as an alternative to teaching scripts then available The name of the D Nealian Method comes from Thurber s first name contracted with his middle name Neal Thurber s system of writing was first publicly introduced in the United States in 1978 Thurber eventually retired in 1984 as principal of Chapman Elementary School 1 Description edit nbsp An example of D Nealian cursive writingThe D Nealian Method of handwriting is derived from the Palmer Method with an alphabet comprising two different sets of letters one for print writing sometimes also called manuscript printing and one for cursive writing 2 Thirteen letters change shape between print and cursive while the slant of 85 degrees measured counterclockwise from the base line does not change at all Thurber designed the D Nealian Method to alleviate the problems with teaching children the traditional script method and the subsequent difficulty transitioning to cursive writing 3 When learning the D Nealian Method of handwriting students are first taught a form of print writing devised by Thurber The letters of D Nealian print writing have many similarities with the cursive version 3 In the second step so called monkey tails 4 are added to the print writing which in the third step are joined together to form the D Nealian cursive script 5 Prevalence editWhen the D Nealian Method was introduced in 1978 it quickly became popular and led to a significant decline in the use of the previously leading Zaner Bloser Method 3 6 In theory it is easier for children to learn and acquire basic handwriting skills using D Nealian than traditional cursive methods 3 It has been claimed that close to 90 of US schoolchildren who follow the traditional print then cursive route to handwriting are taught either the Zaner Bloser or the D Nealian alphabet citation needed Criticism editA key issue with Thurber s system is the manner of letter formation The addition of so called monkey tails 4 to print writing as learners progress to cursive writing effectively adds a further step to the teaching and learning path While some find such an additional step beneficial for a smooth transition from print writing to cursive others view it as unnecessarily complicating how children are taught to write Another common issue is that D Nealian is taught extremely early to first and second grade students many of whom are still learning the rudiments of print writing At times some school districts have abruptly changed their teaching of handwriting possibly causing difficulties for students who must then adapt to a different style A 1993 research review by Steve Graham concludes that there is no credible evidence that D Nealian makes a difference in children s handwriting He also states that D Nealian creates practical problems for teachers who must themselves learn the system and defend it to parents and that it requires many young children to unlearn writing forms that they have already developed before formal instruction 7 See also editSpencerian script a US teaching script Palmer script a US teaching script Zaner Bloser script a US teaching script Getty Dubay Italic script a US teaching script BFH script a US teaching script Regional handwriting variationReferences edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to D Nealian Method Zaborney Mark January 10 2020 Donald Thurber Obituary 1927 2020 LaSalle MI The Blade Legacy Charlotte Mason Zaner Bloser vs D Nealian online a b c d Viadero Debra 6 October 1993 D Nealian Handwriting Method Abandons Ball and Stick Approach Education Week Retrieved 23 January 2018 a b Peterson Handwriting Q amp A mcnattlearningcenter com Archived from the original on 2019 04 23 Retrieved 11 September 2015 Mann Leslie January 5 2003 Tracing cursive s history Chicago Tribune p 8 via ProQuest Makala Jeffrey Born to Please Art of Handwriting Instruction Spencerian and Palmer methods University Libraries Rare Books and Special Collections University of South Carolina Retrieved 24 January 2015 Sheehan Robert J Graham Steve 1993 Are slanted manuscript alphabets superior to the traditional manuscript alphabet Childhood Education 70 2 91 95 doi 10 1080 00094056 1993 10521001 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title D 27Nealian amp oldid 1193164516, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
