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 Lake Forest ..We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how... Read More
It used to strike me as odd - but really,... Read More
Do you struggle to get your child to bed at... Read More
Child Safety Restraints and children in work vehiclesIf you take... Read More
1. They are leaders as well as parents. They don't... Read More
"I wipe my baby's chin with my college diploma and... Read More
Here in Kansas, where we live, the leaves are turning... Read More
Children and teenagers are relentlessly bombarded with merchandise that entices.... Read More
"Before every action, ask yourself: Will this bring more monkeys... Read More
Being consistent when children are less than perfect can make... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
Reasearch into children's friendships shows that those children who are... Read More
One of the most important aspects of parenting, is ensuring... Read More
Courage means doing the right thing when it is hard,... Read More
Is it hard to communicate with your teenager about issues... Read More
Learning responsibility is an ever widening and lifelong process.As thinking,... Read More
By the time your children reach their teens, there is... Read More
Arabella Greatorex, owner of The Natural Nursery, reports on the... Read More
What makes parenting so challenging at times? One widespread research... Read More
When a child wets the bed they worry. Children tend... Read More
Predicament:My son is 4 1/2 years old. His younger brother... Read More
Some children practically potty train themselves, while others struggle and... Read More
As parents, we strive to address all of the questions... Read More
Here is a top secret to make your child genius... Read More
Your child's teacher says that you need to find out... Read More
green cleaning service Deerfield ..Would you hand a child calculus problems once she was... Read More
One of the most difficult struggles in life for a... Read More
Kids today no longer live the kind of privileged lives... Read More
We need a grass roots campaign targeted towards parents to... Read More
Here we will come to know who are the most... Read More
In today's busy world, many parents have lost the art... Read More
Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
I will cherish this moment. I will not let it... Read More
O.K. I've heard it a hundred times from my prison... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances... Read More
Tripping over the shoes and toys that seem to clutter... Read More
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is making... Read More
Wooden toys are one of the best alternatives for the... Read More
Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More
The Internet is one of the greatest inventions of all... Read More
Even as a busy parent, I'm sure you've seen a... Read More
Is there a way to build a robot to help... Read More
Sometimes dreams really can come true! May 8th - 11th,... Read More
``Mom, can I go to the mall with my friend... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
Do you know what these famous people have in common?Alexander... Read More
I had my first two children on either side of... Read More
As parents, we want our children and teens to grow... Read More
Parenting |