Listening was an important attribute instilled as an attribute enhancing comprehension and understanding.
Handwriting was taught and legibility was encouraged.
Children learn about words through phonetic study.
Oral reading to the teacher and within groups leads to fluency when sharing text. Discussion within groups and shared conversation built understanding about the meaning of the written word.
Children learned tables and mathematical formulae. They developed the ability to carry out mental computation and were dexterous without the need for calculator assistance.
Grammar was studied. Rules relating to the English language and usage were studied and understood.
Spelling was an essential subject. Words and their usage were an important part of the study.
Manners and deportment which were developed by parents speaking with and modelling to their students, were reinforced and consolidated while children were at school.
My oh my, how things have changed.
EDUCATION, A LIFE FORCE 
Bad handwriting is a family trait. My father failed 3rd grade because of his handwriting. He later got two MS degrees, taught, and was the principal of a school before going into the business world to eventually become a CFO. I had to type all my essays when I was in high school and college because my handwriting was so bad. Last night at work I made a note even I couldn’t read. My oldest son has bad handwriting. He published two peer-reviewed papers in Quantum Field Theory when he was 20 years old. I agree that good handwriting is important. Some of us just don’t have the fine motor skills to accomplish it well. I’ve been typing my words for most of my life.
These are such valuable skills and our society is the poorer for reducing or eliminating them altogether.