My boys haven’t done much formal study of spelling, and I recently told them we need to start studying spelling. My 11yo seemed very puzzled as he asked why.
“You need to learn to spell,” I replied, not quite sure what wasn’t clear. Seemed pretty straightforward to me.
“Why don’t we just read books and see how the words are spelled?” he suggested, rather incredulous that anything more might be needed.
That strategy won’t work for everyone, but it’s actually one of the best ways to learn to spell, if you can visualize or create a mental image of words—a skill which is “the hallmark of the good speller” (Harry Shaw, Errors in English).
Mary Jo Tate
We have yet to have done any official spelling, but lots and lots and lots of reading!
You may have something there. My 11 year old son has had spelling every year since 1st or 2nd grade (I can’t remember because he was in private school until 4th grade when we started homeschooling) and he can get an “A” on his test one day and turn right around and spell one of his words wrong in a sentence the next day.
Ruth.
I added you to my friends list so people can find this blog! I’m also adding you to my ‘Places to peruse’ category so people can check out your fun website too!
I’m glad I found you Mary Jo! Thanks!
Blessings,
Traci 🙂
Maybe he was just making sure he had enough time to read.
Sounds like his heart is in the right place.
Henry Cate
http://whyhomeschool.blogspot.com