Date sent: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 01:46:44 -0600 (CST)
From: LindaP (Texas)
Subject: Opinion on inventive spelling

I argue the point on 'inventive spelling' almost daily. While it might not be absolutely correct to say it is being 'taught' it is definitely being encouraged.

I was curious about this method, since all my children's teachers were so eager to convince me of its merit- so I researched it and found a book written by a young There are many reasons why this practice should be abolished. First- one need only read a high schooler's paper and if that doesn't convince them- well.... then read the USEnet/education groups for a while- those spelling errors in there make my teeth grit- they are not typos- they are definitely spelling mistakes. And the main contributors there are educators-

Second- we not only have a crisis with children 'developing' reading disabilities, we also cannot recognize when a child really IS having a problem. Poor spelling skills is one of the symptoms of dyslexia. It is hard to pick that ONE child out of the crowd when none of the children can spell.

My district hasn't had spelling books in years- the 'spelling words' are on a list gathered from their 'integrated thematic instruction' (see MerryLynn's post on ITI)

So far the educators have not made the connection between proper phonics instruction and correct spelling methods- although many are now incorporating 'more' phonics they are still missing the framework. Those years of brainwashing on the whole language method keep them from seeing the bigger picture.

Poor habits are learned early and are very hard to break- I've 3 children in the schools- grades 6,4,&2- and I am still screaming about the lack of spelling instruction and the lack of correction on GRADED papers. It's a good thing they are in school to learn eh?

For a look at a 'proper' spelling instruction see the AVKO instruction- it builds on spelling skills- the way we 'oldies' learned to spell For instance you have the word 'out' you spell it and then the next week or day or whatever you add to it 'outward'.. then 'outwardly'...etc.. You learn root words, suffixes, prefixes, etc.--- and build on them. Makes sense eh? too bad it doesn't to anyone else in education. The spelling is a separate instruction- and no- it is not a fun fun fun time- but an absolutely necessary one.

The educrats defense is the spelling correction keeps the creative writer down. Hogwash. If that were truly the case, why bother marking the papers all over in red pen for grammar and punctuation and capitalization errors? Don't those marks 'stifle' creativity? A rough draft should be that- errors allowed, a final product turned in for grading should have all possible errors corrected- especially spelling. And for the computer egos who insist spelling is not necessary with the 'spell-checker' I issue the following story:

A few years ago one of our high school year books had a dedication to a student who passed away during the school year. They included a picture and a nice statement about the student and then closed with "you will always be in our presents" ....... A 1000+ students and the child's parents rec'd a copy of this :(

Well- I guess it's ok as long as no esteem is damaged :|