Spelling
Karen Robicheau
I need some "words of wisdom" please. My husband has just hit me with - our 12 y/o son, Bryan, needs to learn how to spell. His spelling is terrible. He can't spell simple words. His penmanship is that of a five year old. His schooled friends can spell any word you give them. I calmly answered my husband that maybe Bryan's friends can spell, but do they know how to load longitude and latitude into a gps? Can they then get to that point and find a hidden treasure. Do his friends know, in detail, about the upcoming presidential election and do they have opinions about campaign platforms? My husband's response was that Bryan needs to be able to spell to be able to function in his life and that Bryan doesn't even think that he needs spelling. I said "that is the point". "Bryan will learn to spell when he thinks he needs to."
Well, I've told my husband what I truly believe, but now I am sitting here, quietly having a panic attack. Should I address this lack of spelling ability? The penmanship? If so, how do I do it without alienating Bryan? My husband has never before questioned our decision to unschool our 3 kids, but I have a feeling spelling is going to continue to be an issue. Can someone please share spelling experiences with me? I need to sort this out, mostly in my own mind, so I can reassure my husband that we really have chosen the right path for our family.
Thanks-
Karen in Syracuse
Mom to the 3B's
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Well, I've told my husband what I truly believe, but now I am sitting here, quietly having a panic attack. Should I address this lack of spelling ability? The penmanship? If so, how do I do it without alienating Bryan? My husband has never before questioned our decision to unschool our 3 kids, but I have a feeling spelling is going to continue to be an issue. Can someone please share spelling experiences with me? I need to sort this out, mostly in my own mind, so I can reassure my husband that we really have chosen the right path for our family.
Thanks-
Karen in Syracuse
Mom to the 3B's
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Danielle Conger
My husband has a PhD and does really interesting and amazing work in
science--stuff like turning molecules into electronic components,
nanotechnology kind of stuff. He's been published countless times and
has written several successful grant proposals. He can't spell worth a
damn. Doesn't need to. Any simple word processing program or email
program will tell him when he's wrong. No one knows a person can't spell
when talking to them in person.
Why does your husband think ds needs to know how to spell? Why do you?
--Danielle
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
science--stuff like turning molecules into electronic components,
nanotechnology kind of stuff. He's been published countless times and
has written several successful grant proposals. He can't spell worth a
damn. Doesn't need to. Any simple word processing program or email
program will tell him when he's wrong. No one knows a person can't spell
when talking to them in person.
Why does your husband think ds needs to know how to spell? Why do you?
--Danielle
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
>
[email protected]
I also have a 12 yo son, Antonio, and he does not spell well and has bad
handwriting. My parents are always pointing this out to me, and I reply as you
did. He is only 12 and if he needed or wanted to spell better, I am sure he
could learn, and I would even help him if he wanted. I am not sure that if
he had *formal schooling*, he would do any better. His spelling has improved
in the last year, basically due to talking to people online and keeping an
online journal. Of course, these activities have not improved his handwriting
any.
I wouldn't worry about it. For one thing, he is only 12. And there are
plenty of public school 12 year olds who can't spell. And a 12 yo usually
doesn't need to know how to spell. If he needs it or wants it, he will learn it.
Note--my 10 yo daughter, who aspires to be a published writer is an
excellent speller, lol!
--Jacqueline (also in Syracuse...feel free to email me offlist if you'd
like)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
handwriting. My parents are always pointing this out to me, and I reply as you
did. He is only 12 and if he needed or wanted to spell better, I am sure he
could learn, and I would even help him if he wanted. I am not sure that if
he had *formal schooling*, he would do any better. His spelling has improved
in the last year, basically due to talking to people online and keeping an
online journal. Of course, these activities have not improved his handwriting
any.
I wouldn't worry about it. For one thing, he is only 12. And there are
plenty of public school 12 year olds who can't spell. And a 12 yo usually
doesn't need to know how to spell. If he needs it or wants it, he will learn it.
Note--my 10 yo daughter, who aspires to be a published writer is an
excellent speller, lol!
--Jacqueline (also in Syracuse...feel free to email me offlist if you'd
like)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
J. Stauffer
When Adriane (now almost 14) was in school as a little kid, she ALWAYS made
100's on her spelling tests....then she promptly forgot how to spell the
words. Her grades looked like she should be a wonderful speller but in
reality, she was pretty bad.
She continued to be an awful speller for many years. She knew it, we knew
it, nobody thought much about it. Until this last Spring......she started
emailing friends. She didn't want them to think she couldn't spell....so
she learned how. She saved old emails and would search through them to find
the correct spelling, sometimes she would ask me but preferred to figure it
out for herself. She improved tremendously.....because she wanted to.
Julie S.
100's on her spelling tests....then she promptly forgot how to spell the
words. Her grades looked like she should be a wonderful speller but in
reality, she was pretty bad.
She continued to be an awful speller for many years. She knew it, we knew
it, nobody thought much about it. Until this last Spring......she started
emailing friends. She didn't want them to think she couldn't spell....so
she learned how. She saved old emails and would search through them to find
the correct spelling, sometimes she would ask me but preferred to figure it
out for herself. She improved tremendously.....because she wanted to.
Julie S.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Karen Robicheau" <krobiche@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 7:11 AM
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] Spelling
>
> I need some "words of wisdom" please. My husband has just hit me with -
our 12 y/o son, Bryan, needs to learn how to spell. His spelling is
terrible. He can't spell simple words. His penmanship is that of a five
year old. His schooled friends can spell any word you give them. I calmly
answered my husband that maybe Bryan's friends can spell, but do they know
how to load longitude and latitude into a gps? Can they then get to that
point and find a hidden treasure. Do his friends know, in detail, about the
upcoming presidential election and do they have opinions about campaign
platforms? My husband's response was that Bryan needs to be able to spell
to be able to function in his life and that Bryan doesn't even think that he
needs spelling. I said "that is the point". "Bryan will learn to spell
when he thinks he needs to."
>
> Well, I've told my husband what I truly believe, but now I am sitting
here, quietly having a panic attack. Should I address this lack of spelling
ability? The penmanship? If so, how do I do it without alienating Bryan?
My husband has never before questioned our decision to unschool our 3 kids,
but I have a feeling spelling is going to continue to be an issue. Can
someone please share spelling experiences with me? I need to sort this out,
mostly in my own mind, so I can reassure my husband that we really have
chosen the right path for our family.
>
> Thanks-
> Karen in Syracuse
> Mom to the 3B's
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Gold Standard
Of my four children, two spell well, two don't.
One of my "don'ts" is 14 and decided to go to high school this year after
unschooling for two years (and attending an unschool-like school before
that). His English teacher told him to use spell check before turning papers
in. She wasn't worried about it. Most teachers see kids who spell well and
those who don't. Spell check is a great solution for those who want to spell
something well for a purpose. And one of my good spellers learned much of
his "good spelling" from spell check. He remembers words once he sees them,
and evidently was interested enough. Doesn't work that way for my don'ts.
Some people who have schooled for 18 years don't spell well. I don't know
how to convince your husband though :)
Boy, I wish I could load a gps.
Jacki
-----Original Message-----
From: Karen Robicheau [mailto:krobiche@...]
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 5:11 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] Spelling
I need some "words of wisdom" please. My husband has just hit me with - our
12 y/o son, Bryan, needs to learn how to spell. His spelling is terrible.
He can't spell simple words. His penmanship is that of a five year old.
His schooled friends can spell any word you give them. I calmly answered my
husband that maybe Bryan's friends can spell, but do they know how to load
longitude and latitude into a gps? Can they then get to that point and find
a hidden treasure. Do his friends know, in detail, about the upcoming
presidential election and do they have opinions about campaign platforms?
My husband's response was that Bryan needs to be able to spell to be able to
function in his life and that Bryan doesn't even think that he needs
spelling. I said "that is the point". "Bryan will learn to spell when he
thinks he needs to."
Well, I've told my husband what I truly believe, but now I am sitting here,
quietly having a panic attack. Should I address this lack of spelling
ability? The penmanship? If so, how do I do it without alienating Bryan?
My husband has never before questioned our decision to unschool our 3 kids,
but I have a feeling spelling is going to continue to be an issue. Can
someone please share spelling experiences with me? I need to sort this out,
mostly in my own mind, so I can reassure my husband that we really have
chosen the right path for our family.
Thanks-
Karen in Syracuse
Mom to the 3B's
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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One of my "don'ts" is 14 and decided to go to high school this year after
unschooling for two years (and attending an unschool-like school before
that). His English teacher told him to use spell check before turning papers
in. She wasn't worried about it. Most teachers see kids who spell well and
those who don't. Spell check is a great solution for those who want to spell
something well for a purpose. And one of my good spellers learned much of
his "good spelling" from spell check. He remembers words once he sees them,
and evidently was interested enough. Doesn't work that way for my don'ts.
Some people who have schooled for 18 years don't spell well. I don't know
how to convince your husband though :)
Boy, I wish I could load a gps.
Jacki
-----Original Message-----
From: Karen Robicheau [mailto:krobiche@...]
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 5:11 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] Spelling
I need some "words of wisdom" please. My husband has just hit me with - our
12 y/o son, Bryan, needs to learn how to spell. His spelling is terrible.
He can't spell simple words. His penmanship is that of a five year old.
His schooled friends can spell any word you give them. I calmly answered my
husband that maybe Bryan's friends can spell, but do they know how to load
longitude and latitude into a gps? Can they then get to that point and find
a hidden treasure. Do his friends know, in detail, about the upcoming
presidential election and do they have opinions about campaign platforms?
My husband's response was that Bryan needs to be able to spell to be able to
function in his life and that Bryan doesn't even think that he needs
spelling. I said "that is the point". "Bryan will learn to spell when he
thinks he needs to."
Well, I've told my husband what I truly believe, but now I am sitting here,
quietly having a panic attack. Should I address this lack of spelling
ability? The penmanship? If so, how do I do it without alienating Bryan?
My husband has never before questioned our decision to unschool our 3 kids,
but I have a feeling spelling is going to continue to be an issue. Can
someone please share spelling experiences with me? I need to sort this out,
mostly in my own mind, so I can reassure my husband that we really have
chosen the right path for our family.
Thanks-
Karen in Syracuse
Mom to the 3B's
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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nellebelle
More important than knowing how to spell is knowing WHEN it does and doesn't matter if words are spelled correctly.
Published writing is edited by someone other than the author. My husband oftens asks me to edit things for him, both for spelling and grammar. Spelling is easy for me, but I still need to look words up sometimes. I share this information and other related ideas with my kids.
I *can* write neatly, but I usually use the computer for anything that is more than a sentence or two. If I'm in a hurry, I'm capable of very messy writing! I see a similar thing in my kids. Sometimes their writing is fast and sloppy, other times they are very careful with every letter and their writing is beautiful.
For much of a child's writing, spelling doesn't matter. My girls have private journals and other notebooks that they write and draw all sorts of things in. Sometimes they ask how to spell a word, sometimes they just guess.
When my kids have wanted to write something that will leave our house, I've offered to help them with the spelling, but it depends on what it is and who they are writing to. I know, and I've told them, that spelling is important to my mom, so they usually ask me to help them spell when they are writing to her.
And finally, as others have pointed out, many high school and college graduates have sloppy penmanship and poor spelling.
Mary Ellen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Published writing is edited by someone other than the author. My husband oftens asks me to edit things for him, both for spelling and grammar. Spelling is easy for me, but I still need to look words up sometimes. I share this information and other related ideas with my kids.
I *can* write neatly, but I usually use the computer for anything that is more than a sentence or two. If I'm in a hurry, I'm capable of very messy writing! I see a similar thing in my kids. Sometimes their writing is fast and sloppy, other times they are very careful with every letter and their writing is beautiful.
For much of a child's writing, spelling doesn't matter. My girls have private journals and other notebooks that they write and draw all sorts of things in. Sometimes they ask how to spell a word, sometimes they just guess.
When my kids have wanted to write something that will leave our house, I've offered to help them with the spelling, but it depends on what it is and who they are writing to. I know, and I've told them, that spelling is important to my mom, so they usually ask me to help them spell when they are writing to her.
And finally, as others have pointed out, many high school and college graduates have sloppy penmanship and poor spelling.
Mary Ellen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/5/04 6:12:34 AM, krobiche@... writes:
<< My husband's response was that Bryan needs to be able to spell to be able
to function in his life >>
He's probably functioning fine for a twelve year old. LOTS of people don't
spell well when they're his age. Lots don't when they're grown. Pressure
and shame have never helped anyone become a better speller.
What will help is practice writing, and more reading. Maybe (maybe as a
token gesture, or just because it's useful with a lot of films) leave subtitles
on when he's reading.
Holly read "Whoa" last night on something and was surprised at the spelling,
but now she knows.
-=-Well, I've told my husband what I truly believe, but now I am sitting
here, quietly having a panic attack. Should I address this lack of spelling
ability? The penmanship? If so, how do I do it without alienating Bryan? -=-
How do you do it without making your son more UNhappy than you will make your
husband happy?
-=-My husband has never before questioned our decision to unschool our 3
kids, but I have a feeling spelling is going to continue to be an issue. Can
someone please share spelling experiences with me? -=-
When I taught English we did lots of writing, and the kids were 7th and 9th
grade (12 to 15). Lots couldn't spell. Every misspelling got circled and a
point off. Whooptie do for me. Yuck. Sometimes there was a clever trick to
show them, and it helps if they read their own stuff back to themselves (IF it's
important enough), so they can catch the contractions and possessives (get
the apostrophes in and out where they should or shouldn't be).
My husband was a horrible speller when he was 20, 21 and I met him. He's
kept getting better over the years.
There are some great spellers who are mean people, bad providers, alcoholics.
There are some terrible spellers who are great people, good parents,
responsible neighbors.
Sandra
<< My husband's response was that Bryan needs to be able to spell to be able
to function in his life >>
He's probably functioning fine for a twelve year old. LOTS of people don't
spell well when they're his age. Lots don't when they're grown. Pressure
and shame have never helped anyone become a better speller.
What will help is practice writing, and more reading. Maybe (maybe as a
token gesture, or just because it's useful with a lot of films) leave subtitles
on when he's reading.
Holly read "Whoa" last night on something and was surprised at the spelling,
but now she knows.
-=-Well, I've told my husband what I truly believe, but now I am sitting
here, quietly having a panic attack. Should I address this lack of spelling
ability? The penmanship? If so, how do I do it without alienating Bryan? -=-
How do you do it without making your son more UNhappy than you will make your
husband happy?
-=-My husband has never before questioned our decision to unschool our 3
kids, but I have a feeling spelling is going to continue to be an issue. Can
someone please share spelling experiences with me? -=-
When I taught English we did lots of writing, and the kids were 7th and 9th
grade (12 to 15). Lots couldn't spell. Every misspelling got circled and a
point off. Whooptie do for me. Yuck. Sometimes there was a clever trick to
show them, and it helps if they read their own stuff back to themselves (IF it's
important enough), so they can catch the contractions and possessives (get
the apostrophes in and out where they should or shouldn't be).
My husband was a horrible speller when he was 20, 21 and I met him. He's
kept getting better over the years.
There are some great spellers who are mean people, bad providers, alcoholics.
There are some terrible spellers who are great people, good parents,
responsible neighbors.
Sandra
Gold Standard
>>There are some great spellers who are mean people, bad providers,alcoholics.
>>There are some terrible spellers who are great people, good parents,Thank you for this point. It brings it all home.
>>responsible neighbors.
>>Sandra
Jacki
sahhsm
Here's a well travelled in the hs world, Alfie Kohn article that may
support you, your son, and your husband:
http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/welleducated.htm
Diane
support you, your son, and your husband:
http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/welleducated.htm
Diane
Nichole Fausey-Khosraviani
What a fabulous article! Great read first thing in the morning. Thank you!
:o)
Nichole
:o)
Nichole
----- Original Message -----
From: sahhsm
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 11:23 PM
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] Re: Spelling
Here's a well travelled in the hs world, Alfie Kohn article that may
support you, your son, and your husband:
http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/welleducated.htm
Diane
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jenny
This article brings to mind a conversation my husband had with a co-
worker about a year ago. The co-worker had gone to the doctor
displaying some symptoms (I don't know what they were), and had
gotten a little upset that the doctor decided to research the
symptoms and what their cause could be before giving a diagnosis.
This patient had wanted an instant diagnosis, and figured that the
doctor must not be very good if he had to "look things up". My DH
then told him that it's better to be sure of a diagnosis than to just
start treatment for something without knowing for sure if it's the
right one. But this guy just kept going on and on about how doctors
need to know everything and should never have to look things up. My
DH and I both agreed (when we discussed this later) that we'd prefer
a doctor to look things up if he/she isn't totally sure because some
symptoms come up in different illnesses. (We do have a doctor who
tends to diagnosis things off the cuff, and I've had to insist that
he test for something that I knew I had - strep throat - when he
was "absolutely sure" that it was the flu.) Of course, there are
some things doctors need to know; my point isn't about what a doctor
should or shouldn't know. But this is an example of how our society
tends to see the end of education as being a head full of
information, and this guy's doctor obviously didn't "pass the test".
Jenny
--- In [email protected], "Nichole Fausey-Khosraviani"
<ms_fausey@y...> wrote:
worker about a year ago. The co-worker had gone to the doctor
displaying some symptoms (I don't know what they were), and had
gotten a little upset that the doctor decided to research the
symptoms and what their cause could be before giving a diagnosis.
This patient had wanted an instant diagnosis, and figured that the
doctor must not be very good if he had to "look things up". My DH
then told him that it's better to be sure of a diagnosis than to just
start treatment for something without knowing for sure if it's the
right one. But this guy just kept going on and on about how doctors
need to know everything and should never have to look things up. My
DH and I both agreed (when we discussed this later) that we'd prefer
a doctor to look things up if he/she isn't totally sure because some
symptoms come up in different illnesses. (We do have a doctor who
tends to diagnosis things off the cuff, and I've had to insist that
he test for something that I knew I had - strep throat - when he
was "absolutely sure" that it was the flu.) Of course, there are
some things doctors need to know; my point isn't about what a doctor
should or shouldn't know. But this is an example of how our society
tends to see the end of education as being a head full of
information, and this guy's doctor obviously didn't "pass the test".
Jenny
--- In [email protected], "Nichole Fausey-Khosraviani"
<ms_fausey@y...> wrote:
> What a fabulous article! Great read first thing in the morning.Thank you!
>may
> :o)
> Nichole
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: sahhsm
> To: [email protected]
> Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 11:23 PM
> Subject: [AlwaysLearning] Re: Spelling
>
>
>
>
> Here's a well travelled in the hs world, Alfie Kohn article that
> support you, your son, and your husband:----------
>
> http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/welleducated.htm
>
> Diane
>
>
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>
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