I heard on Headline News that Spelling will no longer be a subject in Michigan elementary schools. They will teach spelling as the child needs it; therefore, as a child writes an assignment and misspells a word, the teacher will then assign the word to the child to learn at that point. That is the way I understood this process.
If you had a few students, this would not be a great deal; however, in my educational career, I had 26 sixth graders at one point in my class. How am I to assign a topic to write, read the assignment for content and assign spelling words for the individual student? In all reality, spelling of my sixth graders, seventh graders, and even eighth graders was overall horrific. They needed spelling further into middle school if you would ask my opinion!
I have trouble with spelling to this day as it does not come natural to me. Students need to learn to be accurate. This is just one more way our educational system is allowing an easy way out! Granted we do utilize word processing programs that correct our spelling and grammar; but shouldn't our educational system provide the means and tools to allow these basic skills to develop?
My daughters utilize a computer software based program for their 7th and 3rd grade language arts, and it includes spelling as a part of language arts. I also require vocabulary words which requires correct spelling in our Weaver subjects of history, science, heath, etc. I correct my own four children's spelling as needed. I only have four children, so this is quite possible!
Do you think spelling should be included in elementary years? I certainly do!
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