Bring Back the Basics: Why Foundational Skills Still Matter

The importance of reading, writing, and arithmetic in today’s classrooms—and what we’ve lost in the age of testing

There was a time when elementary classrooms focused on skills that formed the backbone of lifelong learning. Students practiced handwriting until it was legible and fluid. They memorized multiplication tables not just for a test, but so they could apply them in real life. They diagrammed sentences, learned spelling rules, and read from phonics-based readers that built decoding confidence step by step.

Then came the mandates.

With the rise of high-stakes standardized testing, schools were forced to shift their priorities. The focus moved from mastery to performance. From learning deeply to prepping quickly. From foundational skills to formulaic test strategies.

But ask any seasoned teacher what truly works—and they’ll tell you: it’s the basics.

Foundational Skills That Built Strong Students:

• Cursive Writing: Once a rite of passage in elementary grades, cursive built fine motor skills, fluency, and brain development. Today, many students graduate without being able to read their own grandparents’ handwriting.

• Multiplication Drills: Flash cards, chanting, and games helped students internalize math facts. These tools gave them confidence to approach word problems and higher-level math with ease.

• Sentence Diagramming: Far from just busywork, diagramming taught students how language works. It strengthened grammar, writing, and reading comprehension.

• Oral Reading & Phonics: Teachers used tools like basal readers and decodable texts to help students sound out unfamiliar words. These skills built strong, independent readers—not just test takers.

• Spelling Tests & Word Lists: Weekly spelling routines encouraged attention to patterns, syllables, and phonemic awareness—keys to reading and writing success.

• Timed Math Facts Practice: Repetition with understanding laid the foundation for algebra and beyond. Before calculators and online apps, there was brainpower.

A Return to What Works

These weren’t “extras.” They were the bedrock of a quality education. They weren’t taught because they were on a test—but because they were necessary for life. And they still are.

If we want to raise confident readers, capable writers, and numerate thinkers, we must reclaim the foundational skills that got us there before the testing era took over.

Let’s trust what teachers have always known: a strong foundation beats trendy programs every time. It’s time to prioritize substance over scores—and equip our students with the skills that last.