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My husband asked me to spell “wanton” for the October newsletter. Apparently he had written about “wonton disregard” which means, of course, that you don’t care for oriental dumplings. He was trying to say “wanton disregard” but it didn’t quite come out right.
When your children ask why they need to study “Wordly Wise” and other vocabulary programs, just tell them that one day you hope they will be able to write a homeschool newsletter without embarrassing themselves.
Last week I got a call from a mother that was describing her son’s academic level. He was excellent in math and science, she said, but didn’t do well in language and spelling. I asked her if he had taken any standardized tests, and she replied that he had, and that her son was “barely on grade level” for spelling.
Time for a reality-based intervention here. When my kids started using “Spelling Power” my husband and I tested our OWN spelling level. My husband is an engineer and manager at a “major northwest aerospace firm” and writes every day as part of his job. He spells at a 7th grade level. I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and I spell at a 9th grade level, and enjoy teasing my husband about his spelling whenever I can (now, for example.) Both of our kids can spell circles around us!
If your child is spelling “at grade level” that’s wonderful! It’s nothing to worry about or be ashamed of! Encourage them as you can. At some point in high school, spelling is no longer taught as a separate subject, but is instead incorporated into writing. I don’t encourage you to have a wanton disregard for spelling <grin!> I’m just saying that adults are able to compensate for spelling, and your child can compensate as well. With dictionaries, spell checkers and helpful spouses, they can overcome spelling as poorly as even we do!
Make sure to sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter, The HomeScholar Record, so you can check my husband’s article for spelling errors. Because what he REALLY needs is a few thousand homeschool moms looking over his shoulder!
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Christianbook.com Curriculum Page
Christy says:
LOL!
I compensate with Spellcheck!
My dh compensates by asking me how to spell something.
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
J W says:
On my students’ computer accounts, I turn off the spell check on the word processor. For each each student I draw up a list of words she misspelled (usually about 5 words). The list is then studied for a weekly test. Sometimes there aren’t any misspelled words. On those occasions, I pick out words that are commonly misspelled or really challenging words.
I don’t practice what I preach, though. I use spell check and the Google search toolbar on my browser. Google usually lets me know if I’ve misspelled something. I don’t think I’ve ever known my DH to misspell anything other than names.
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:18 am
Lee says:
The problem with spell check, is that it’s not always an issue of spelling. Like “wanton-wonton.” We also had an issue with “shudder-shutter” in the upcoming newsletter, but I didn’t think I should bring that up at the same time! But that wouldn’t have been picked up by spell check either.
I would also like to mention that my husband and I are products of our public schools. They don’t know how to teach these things perfectly either
Blessings,
Lee
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:23 am
J W says:
Hey, check out this article about a couple who just had to do something about errors on national park signs!
http://www.komonews.com/news/offbeat/27280654.html
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
CT says:
I get distinct pleasure out of sightings of misplaced apostrophes on signs and in advertising brochures. My kids may have trouble spelling but I know, at least, they will not mix up its and it’s. Thank you for the timely words just prior to another year of my saying, “Go look it up in the dictionary.”
August 18th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Teresa says:
Lee, why is it that I see so often in the emails and handouts of homeschool mothers:
their, there, they’re
your, you’re
used incorrectly? Is it just because spell check can’t pick it up? It’s embarrassing!!
September 18th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Lee says:
Teresa,
To be honest, I don’t think it’s just homeschool mothers that are doing it. I think it’s the general population. I also think it has to do with how quickly people are typing when they work, so I try to give them a break for the most part. I know I’m not always perfect – I do a ton of writing and it’s almost impossible to get everything write all the time.
Blessings,
Lee
September 18th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Kimberely says:
Did you Spelling Power or other programs as well?
October 15th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Kimberely says:
Opps! I mean, did you USE Spelling Power or other programs as well?
October 15th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Lee says:
Hi Kimberely,
We used only Spelling Power. I have to say, her quick start video was extremely helpful! Once I recognized how to use that spelling program for all learning styles, it was a perfect fit for our family.
Blessings,
Lee
October 15th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Lois says:
I need to exercise more grace in my life toward others. My pet peeve is misspelled words from highly educated individuals! How someone can pass AP physics, calculus and the like with flying colors, and misuse or misspell simple words just drives me crazy! Maybe it’s because I could spell that I didn’t have to take advanced math and science courses. Someone has to be the spelling police!!!! There is a reason I don’t like texting, too. (My spell check doesn’t recognize texting!!!!)
I tried using Spelling Power with my kids, since they didn’t seem to inherit my panache for words. They didn’t like it, and I never enjoyed learning from a list either. I guess I never did teach spelling as a separate subject, but we always played a lot of games with words, Quiddler being a family favorite, and Scrabble. Today my daughter is a better speller than she was even a year ago, and my son tied for 3rd in the local spelling bee. We just always studied the words we were using, and any rules that applied to those words.
January 28th, 2010 at 7:13 pm