spelling help - Page 2

[Mizelenius]

Originally Posted by Lillian J

I think we all get that - you're not the type to be looking to drive her crazy - we're just trying to encourage you in the faith that it's already happening. - Lillian

Hmm . . .but this new info that her DD consistently misspells the same words . . .I would be concerned as well that maybe it won't happen "naturally." Does she misspell them the same way each time? That might give some insights here. One of my relatives is slightly older and has a similar issue with spelling, even with words that are common. (Is that the case for your DD, elizawill?) In the case of my relative, I would say her reading is on target for someone her age, but not especially strong. She just got glasses for reading (apparently, most children are farsighted, but it is more of an issue for her than others). I am wondering if that will encourage her to read more (she enjoys it, but tires-- now we know why) and then her spelling will improve.

[elizawill]

honestly, i *think* my dd relies on me to tell her. she doesn't retain the spelling of words because she is only trying to remember the word for that moment. does that make sense? maybe if i create a homemade dictionary, that would help her? do you think that would work? then she could look up the word herself & i can add words that she misspells or ask for help with. maybe that would help? i dunno. i do think her spelling is age appropriate for a first grader, so i don't want to come across as a freakish mom....i just would expect to see her spelling improving gradually - but instead it's just not at all. her reading is taking off wonderfully. she is definitely doing fabulous in that regard....(if i do say so myself, lol). i'd just like to have a game plan where i can incorporate more spelling help next year & i'm at a loss for options. she has been to the eye doctor and does where glasses, but the prescription is mild. anyway, thanks again. wheels are definitely turning in my head....that's good!

[Bird Girl]

My 6.5 year old is not a good speller, despite having a reading level somewhere north of sixth grade. It inhibits her writing, and it slows her down tremendously when she's doing schoolwork. We're looking at Spelling Workout, mostly because it's recommended in WTM. I guess I'll let you know what I think if we order it, Eliza!

[Mizelenius]

Originally Posted by elizawill

honestly, i *think* my dd relies on me to tell her. she doesn't retain the spelling of words because she is only trying to remember the word for that moment. does that make sense? maybe if i create a homemade dictionary, that would help her?

I would think it would help in more ways than one. I think a very important skill you'd be teaching her is how to find information. I have a horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE memory but I know where to find the answers I need, when I need them. Ask me to memorize the lyrics of a song-- I could do it for maybe a day, but as soon as I would not need them, they would vanish from my head, even if I'd sung the song 1000 times. Maybe it is sort of like her spelling?

It inhibits her writing, and it slows her down tremendously when she's doing schoolwork.

Are there 6-7 yos that write quickly? I am not being sarcastic with that question. My newly 7 y.o. also writes slowly, but she spells well/fairly easily. She does not like the physical act of writing.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by elizawill

she has been to the eye doctor and does where glasses, but the prescription is mild.

Oftentimes children who have mild undiagnosed vision skill deficiencies have been prescribed glasses. You might want to skim my article - Taking a Look at Vision Skills - and maybe take a look at some of the common symptoms listed on the PAVE (Parents Active for Vision Education) site that it links to.

Although I really can't see it as a problem that a 7 yr. old is not yet putting a lot of energy into learning to spell words that she really doesn't have a pressing reason to know yet. The incorrect spelling she continues to repeat may make a lot more sense to her than the correct ones, and if she's not frequently seeing them in the course of reading, it's understandable to me that they haven't hit home yet. And I wouldn't worry about it at this point. I'd get her one of those little electronic Franklin spell checkers and let her have the multisensory (and maybe kind of fun) experience of punching words in when she has a need to know spelling of one. - Lillian

[oceanbaby]

Originally Posted by elizawill

honestly, i *think* my dd relies on me to tell her. she doesn't retain the spelling of words because she is only trying to remember the word for that moment. does that make sense? maybe if i create a homemade dictionary, that would help her? do you think that would work? then she could look up the word herself & i can add words that she misspells or ask for help with. maybe that would help? i dunno. i do think her spelling is age appropriate for a first grader, so i don't want to come across as a freakish mom....i just would expect to see her spelling improving gradually - but instead it's just not at all. her reading is taking off wonderfully. she is definitely doing fabulous in that regard....(if i do say so myself, lol). i'd just like to have a game plan where i can incorporate more spelling help next year & i'm at a loss for options. she has been to the eye doctor and does where glasses, but the prescription is mild. anyway, thanks again. wheels are definitely turning in my head....that's good!

My ds relies on me telling him how to spell. He will not attempt it on his own. I have encouraged him to do so, and he is adamant that I just tell him how to spell it - he will be 8 in May, and I would fall over with shock if he wrote what your dd did! One thing I did was sit down with him and asked him to tell me different words he wants to know how to spell, words he uses a lot. I wrote them on a piece of paper and taped it above the desk. Then, when he asks me how to spell a word, I remind him to look at the list, or if it's not on there, we add it.

[elizawill]

Originally Posted by Lillian J

Oftentimes children who have mild undiagnosed vision skill deficiencies have been prescribed glasses. You might want to skim my article - Taking a Look at Vision Skills - and maybe take a look at some of the common symptoms listed on the PAVE (Parents Active for Vision Education) site that it links to.

Although I really can't see it as a problem that a 7 yr. old is not yet putting a lot of energy into learning to spell words that she really doesn't have a pressing reason to know yet. The incorrect spelling she continues to repeat may make a lot more sense to her than the correct ones, and if she's not frequently seeing them in the course of reading, it's understandable to me that they haven't hit home yet. And I wouldn't worry about it at this point. I'd get her one of those little electronic Franklin spell checkers and let her have the multisensory (and maybe kind of fun) experience of punching words in when she has a need to know spelling of one. - Lillian

thanks lillian. and she WEARS glasses...not "wheres" them, lol. i'm online talking about my dd's spelling and then typed that. i was tired i guess. i'm a dork, lol. as for vision, it seems like it would also effect her reading though, don't you think? i mean, she's reading very well. i will look at the article now though. thanks again!

[elizawill]

Originally Posted by oceanbaby

My ds relies on me telling him how to spell. He will not attempt it on his own. I have encouraged him to do so, and he is adamant that I just tell him how to spell it - he will be 8 in May, and I would fall over with shock if he wrote what your dd did! One thing I did was sit down with him and asked him to tell me different words he wants to know how to spell, words he uses a lot. I wrote them on a piece of paper and taped it above the desk. Then, when he asks me how to spell a word, I remind him to look at the list, or if it's not on there, we add it.

i'm so glad you posted that. my child is the exact same way. i think i will work on her dictionary today. i'll keep the words common and simple & we can add to it as needed. if she hates it for some reason, i'll ditch it - but i think it will help her out a lot. thanks again

[Mizelenius]

Originally Posted by elizawill

as for vision, it seems like it would also effect her reading though, don't you think? i mean, she's reading very well. i will look at the article now though. thanks again!

You would think-- but my DD had perfect vision (a year ago-- now she needs glasses), she read many grade levels ahead . . .but she did have vision problems that we had to correct with vision therapy. We need to go back as the issues are improved, but still exist.