As part of the whole-language (or "balanced") reading-instruction philosophy, many public schools now teach what they call "invented" or "creative" spelling. Under this theory of spelling, teachers believe that forcing a child to spell a word correctly thwarts the child's "creativity." So in classrooms across America, many public-school teachers now encourage children to spell words any way they like.
Also, many school officials now believe it is not important to teach correct spelling because, so the theory goes, a child will "eventually" learn to spell correctly. Unfortunately, millions of children who start out as poor spellers, stay that way. How, in our Alice-in-Wonderland public-school classrooms, will a child learn to spell correctly if public schools think that correct spelling is meaningless?
Charles J. Sykes, author of "Dumbing Down Our Kids," provides the following real-life examples of invented spelling in our public schools:
"Joan W. and Beverly J. [last names omitted for privacy] are not experts. They just didn't understand why their children weren't learning to write, spell, or read very well. They didn't understand why their children kept coming home with sloppy papers filled with spelling mistakes and bad grammar and why teachers never corrected them or demanded better work. Mrs. W. couldn't fathom why her child's teacher would write a "Wow!" and award a check-plus (for above average work) to a paper that read:
"I'm goin to has majik skates. Im goin to go to disenalen. Im goin to bin my mom and dad and brusr and sisd. We r go to se mickey mouse."
On another assignment where the children were told to write about why, where, and how they would run away from home without their parents knowing about it, here's what one child wrote: "I would run awar because by mom and Dad don't love me. I would run away with my brother to the musan in mlewsky. We will use are packpacks and put all are close in it. We will take a lot of mony with us so we can go on the bus to the musam. We will stay there for a tlong timne so my mom and dad know they did not love us."
Not only is this child's spelling atrocious and the teacher's "Wow" grade damaging to the child, but the lesson itself is insidious. Should teachers be giving writing assignments to children about how and why they should run away from home?
Spelling affects people's lives. A person who doesn't spell words correctly can't communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, customers, patients, clients, business associates, contractors, or parents. He or she can't be sure of the exact meaning of misspelled words in a contract, mortgage, medical consent form, or other crucial documents or instructions.
Invented spelling also makes a bad impression on employers and college admissions officers. Yet many public schools no longer think spelling is important enough to spend time on during the school day.
Parents, invented spelling is yet another reason why you should seriously consider taking your children out of public school and looking for better education alternatives elsewhere. The Resources section in "Public Schools, Public Menace" describes many low-cost, quality education alternatives you can take advantage of right now.
Joel Turtel is an education policy analyst, and author of "Public Schools, Public Menace: How Public Schools Lie To Parents and Betray Our Children."
Contact Information:
Website: http://www.mykidsdeservebetter.com,
Email: http://www.mykidsdeservebetter.com,
Phone: 718-447-7348.
Article Copyrighted ? 2005 by Joel Turtel
NOTE: You may post this Article on another website only if you set up a hyperlink to Joel Turtel's email address and website URL, http://www.mykidsdeservebetter.com
efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..In the first premise, some films and video tapes which... Read More
You want your daughter to wear a dress to the... Read More
Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is... Read More
Look around: Your kids are counting sleeps until the last... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
It's among the top criticism wives have of their husbands:... Read More
When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More
I remember when my daughter was born, later my son.... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More
Why Me?"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should... Read More
In today's fast-paced society, many families depend on some form... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More
I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus... Read More
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
"Walk through any toy store and you will see walls... Read More
Something happened the other day that made me feel uneasy.... Read More
No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More
You have two kids who are 14 months apart. How... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Oh yes you have! Suddenly, "Where's Bobby?" You instantly realize... Read More
cleaning lady near Wilmette ..Some public schools try to turn children against their parents... Read More
Question 1 "How do I get more time to play?"... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
If You're Having Twins..is it double the headache, or double... Read More
1. They can make mistakes under your guidance2. They will... Read More
Teenagers are a work-in-progress, and parenting teenagers can be tricky... Read More
Single parents are not often thought of as good parents.I... Read More
Although it might seem pretty corny to a lot of... Read More
Many parents would like to homeschool their children but are... Read More
Parents are losing their self-control to anger. A friend called... Read More
Julia Roberts recently gave birth to twins: Hazel and Phinnaeus.... Read More
The formula is pretty straightforward: energy in/energy out. This is... Read More
Demanding children ? children who have entitlement issues ? seem... Read More
Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within... Read More
Nanny 911 Interview with Montel WilliamsI saw an interview with... Read More
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate... Read More
Nothing touches the heartstrings of a parent more than the... Read More
I look out of the window as I am writing... Read More
There are moments in a parent's or grandparent's life, when... Read More
Q: A parent writes in to ask, "You write a... Read More
There are many reasons for treating your twins as individuals... Read More
There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The... Read More
My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
One fantastic way to get your children involved in what... Read More
Parenting |