Sep 5th, 2008
I Kan Spel
My poor Dude . . . the guy just can’t spell. He just does not get it. For me and for his little sister, it comes naturally - we can spell anything, just because we can. But for Hubby and Dude, not so much. Hubby swears that the only reason he passed spelling was because it was lumped together with reading comprehension, so he understands where Dude is.
Now that Dude is in 3rd grade, it’s going to get tough for him. The math, the science, the social studies, he gets it and he’s really good at it without much effort. And reading, the kicks ass at reading. The kid can and will read anything effortlessly - even the monster huge words that he shouldn’t be reading yet. But the spelling? UGH!
For example, they were given a list of words and they had to write what they think the word means:
Global - Arond the world
Community - Naberhood
Individual - Working by yore self
Unique - Speshal qwolatis
And then he had to write ways he could be a productive member of his school community:
- Be balenst
- Be caring
- Be a risk taker
- Be reflectev
- Be prinsabeld
- Be knoligabl
- Sit nise
- Comunicater
- Enthosiastic
My little Dude has a wonderful vocabulary for an 8 year old, but he just can’t spell. Sumtimes I wish we did spell werds like an 8 yeer old thinks we shood . . . it seems to make sens 
The thing is, we don’t, and he’s going to get graded on spelling. And their spelling system is not one of memorizing a list of words each week. Instead, there are core words they need to know each week, but they don’t just have to write the words . . . their spelling test is a group of sentences that they have to write that contain the words. Pretty brilliant idea if you ask me . . . they get the spelling AND the meaning all at once. Like learning the difference between their, there, and they’re.
Anywoo . . . we’ve been working with him at home . . . I write the word, he says the word, he reads the letters in the word, then he covers the word and writes it 10 times, then I read him the sentences to write the words in. I know he’s not ever going to be a good speller . . . he is his father’s son afterall 
But I also know that we have to give it our best shot and that he has to try his best to get acceptable grades in spelling.
Anyone else out there have spelling issues? Anyone out there have any suggestions for me on different ways to work on the words with him?
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No suggestions…sorry. But wow…what a vocabulary!
When my daughter has a problem with a spelling word I have her write it multiple times and spell it out loud as she writes it. I think that helps a kid who is very verbal. Worth a shot.
I keep checking back because I’m sure one of my kids will have inherited their Dad’s horrible spelling as well. I used to have to always read anything he wrote to make sure he used the correct their/there/they’re and spelled everything correctly. Now I think spell check and grammar check are his best friends! Good luck! At least he knows what he wants to say! In meeting today I said I was marooned into joining the PTSA. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy. I had to admit - the word I want never comes to me when I need it - but at least I know how to spell it!
that sounds like how we did spelling in my old school- I loved it because it really told me who understood the word. But I feel for those who just struggle with spelling. I’ll try to find my sheet of fun ways to practice spelling and get you those ideas. Sounds like you are doing a good job though.
I have to e-mail everything that I want to discuss with you Jodie, because I can’t spell. I wonder if my mother or father could spell? Tell Jason he has a gene from his grandmother, unfortantly not a helpful one. How did I graduate with a 3.86 from college? One hell of a lot of cheating!!!!!!
I take a clear paper sleeve (the clear plastic thing you would hook into a 3 ring binder, and then slide the paper in to) and double stick tape it to the fridge. Each week, I slide the new spelling list into it. It reminds them and me to bring attention to it several times a day. (this works well for my kindergartner, with the words she’s learning to read, also).
Also, take some recipe cards and cut them in half or in fourths. Then take a word he’s having trouble with, and write one letter on each cut piece. Mix up the letters and have him practice putting them in order. If that gets too easy, mix up the letters for 2 or more words and have him seperate them out, to spell each word. Put all the pieces into a ziploc bag and slide it into the plastic sleeve, with the list, so they don’t get lost.
I don’t know…worked for Bay!
I feel his pain - I have never been a good speller. He’ll probably do fine - too late for me!
Have a good weekend - Kellan
Dude e-mailed me last week and I smiled to myself when I read “I will git…” instead of “I will get…”. To me as a grandma it was really cute, but I don’t suppose his teachers will probably see it that way. But he does have an absolutely remarkable vocabulary for an 8 year old!! His academic strengths far outweigh his spelling weakness and he will do great!! Very proud of him!! Love…Mom
I have a really hard time spelling. I carry a small dictionary with me in my purse. Also, I always have Briggs “spell check” everything important for me. I feel for Jason, I always got A’s in all my classes except English and Social Studies (don’t know why the SS!) Good Luck Dude!
[...] had parentt/teacher conferences with Dude’s teachers last week. I brought up the spelling issues. They said to keep working with him, but it really was not a big deal because there are so many [...]