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February 05, 2006
The Good Old #2
I read yesterday that some schools are going to stop teaching cursive writing and instead kids will be taught how to write using a computer keyboard.
I am truly saddened.
I am saddened because this action is certain to spell the death of the #2 pencil.
The loss of the good old #2 will be tragic.
I mean, let’s face it, that ageless yellow friend with the useless pink eraser on the top is the one common thread that ties the world of creative expression together.
From Cedar Rapids to Cairo, Bombay to Bophuthatswana, the #2 pencil is one thing everybody knows and understands.
The #2 is amazing. It does not have an instruction manual. It doesn’t need a warranty. It can draw in any language. It can be chewed and stomped and it will still work. It doesn't need a battery. It floats. And it works just fine after getting wet.
Without the #2 how can children send quickly scribbled notes to each other in the classroom? They would be reduced to sending instant text messages that can never be kept in a scrapbook.
And young scoundrels would no longer be able to purposely drop the pencil on the floor to scope out the lovely ankles of the closest Betty.
Additionally, the demise of the #2 would mean that restless and attention-span-challenged kids - like I was – would no longer be able to use the pencil sharpener as an excuse for a respite or a "chance encounter" with apple of one’s eye.
I fear an extinct #2 will also mean the demise of refrigerator drawings and the end of doodling.
Let us not forget, the pencil can be used for applications other than drawing and writing.
A well-sharpened point applied to an unsuspecting back-of-the-neck worked well for me. There were dire consequences though.
Oh dear. The possible end of the #2. I am truly saddened.
Posted by trevor at February 5, 2006 07:33 AM
Comments
Trevor, I don't know which schools are doing away with cursive writing, but my 9 year old has better handwriting than I did at age 9. Don't worry, not all schools are going to drop cursive writing, just as the #2 pencil will ever go away. I have a big box of unsharpened pencils from my school days. My son has used some; I suspect some will be handed down to his kids!
Posted by: Brian at February 5, 2006 12:19 PM
As a teacher that would make me sad. As an artist it makes me scared!! I love coming to your blog!! You inspire me to be creative and to care!! Hugs Wanda
Posted by: Wanda E. Santiago at February 5, 2006 10:44 PM
I think the NO.2 is safe, in Texas anyway, since that is what is required to bubble in all those circles on the standardized tests!
Posted by: Alice-Anne Nix at February 6, 2006 09:00 AM
I have visited your blog often since meeting you at Logan's with Ronda and Woody! You are a true inspiration and there are so many days that your blog alone makes me smile, laugh and cry!!! Your work is a blessing! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and drawings with us! Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Cox Horne at February 6, 2006 04:00 PM
There is always hope. ;)
Posted by: madame babushka at February 6, 2006 05:39 PM
There are many, many pencil fans and promoters around, if you know where to look. Try www.pencilrevolution.com or the maker of some wonderful new pencils, Palominos, at www.timberlines.com. Pencils are alive and well!
Posted by: Nita at February 6, 2006 09:28 PM
It's funny, but the pencil is also experiencing a sort of resurgence lately. You should definitely check out Pencil Revolution . It'll certainly lift your spirits.
Also, while the erasers on many pencils are useless, the beautiful Pink Pearl erasers atop the classic Dixon Ticonderoga 1388-2/HB are, in my humble opinion, perfect.
Posted by: Gus at February 22, 2006 12:55 AM
Howdy,
This is a great post, and I was wondering if we might quote it and perhaps borrow a photo (on our server of course) for Pencil Revolution?
Cheers, Comrade,
P.R.
Posted by: Pencil Revolution at February 28, 2006 12:24 PM
The yellow #2 is unknown outside North America. They're HB to the rest of the world, and in the UK at least, yellow (painted) pencils had a reputation for being scratchy and breaking.
Posted by: scruss at April 19, 2006 06:40 AM
This is just indicative of what I see creeping over the horizon: slowly but surely, they are trying to make reading and writing a rich man's game.
The Pencil Revolution is aptly named, and the current analog movement is one of the things that stands against the approaching tide.
Posted by: Hermgirl at April 20, 2006 02:45 AM
i think that maybe because we are going into the future we have to drop the pencils and teach kids to write on the computer, because the future will be packed will tecnology. now we don't have to leave pencils out, but we can move futher in writing, because soon a book will be a labtop for kids to bring to school. so think about that.thanks fro putting me on your page.
Posted by: shanique at April 23, 2006 09:21 AM