How did you learn to spell?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
So, T is in the 3rd grade. Last week he had his first spelling test for this year. He brought home his list and we studied. We went over the rules for each word and he learned the words. This week, no list. He does have a spelling test, but no words to study. I called his teacher and asked her what the words were, thinking he didn't bring them home. She tells me that they are going to do spelling different this year. She is not going to give the kids the words for the spelling test to study, as they just memorize them. They have to learn the rules for words and spell based on the rules. Okay. So we start going over the rules and the example words and here is a rule and some examples for the rule:
1.4~Bonus Letter ll, ss, ff- when f, s, and l follow a short vowel to the end of the word the letter is doubled. Even though there are two letter we only tap one sound. chess moss mull dill muff mill buff lass lull mall till buss.
What!?! BUSS?? Pardon me, but when you ask your 3rd grader, or anyone else, to spell "BUSS" aren't you going to get "BUS", a vehicle used to transport many people?? That is what I got. I even looked it up in an online dictionary. It means "to kiss". Come on, leave that example off the list. Because don't you now have to explain that there are exceptions to every rule? Doesn't that just confuse a 3rd grader when you ask them to spell "BUSS" and they spell "BUS" and it is wrong?
Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for teaching the rules of spelling. Going over them with T, I remember learning them. But, at the same time, I also remember memorizing the list of words for Friday's spelling test. Sometimes, I think we just have to know how to spell words and not know why we know how to spell them.
Sorry for that rant, but some things I just have to rant about.
Bye for now!!
