Homeschool World Forum

rara1988 · User Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Nebraska

I have an 11 year old who struggles with spelling. She does very well in her other subjects. She was in the public school system until 3rd grade. She does well with spelling tests and such (good short term memory), but when she writes papers or paragraphs, her memory of how to spell basic words is sometimes horific. Any suggestions to a curriculum....I think I will have to go back and do some basic phonics with her again? We used Abeka (although their spelling was too hard for her) and used A Reason For last year
Thanks rara1988

4given · User Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 735 Location: S.Indiana

Sounds like you're talking about my 11yo son.

For the next school year, I am doing away with spelling tests altogether. We will be doing lots of reading, together and independently. We will supplement with various writing activities. I will correct his spelling errors and we will just keep plugging along.

I am a fairly decent speller and I am convinced that it is not due to having spelling tests. As a kid, I read everything I could get my hands on. My hope is that this approach will help my son. Smile

Theodore · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject:

I too did very little formal spelling, but a whole pile of reading.
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StellarStory · User Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 472

I was frustrated for some time about spelling and my son. He too could do well on tests but did not retain and apply the correct spellings to his writing.

Eventually I decided this had to be due to a maturity issue. So I stopped frustrating us both needlessly. For the past two years I've let him study his spelling book on his level entirely on his own. I have not made sure he did it either.

At somewhere between 9-18 weeks, at my convenience, I give him the spelling placement test for his grade. If he passes it with an A or a B he is done. If he doesn't he has more work to do this year.

For the past two years he has passed it with flying colors. This year I saw better spelling in his written work. I believe maturity at 14 has finally kicked in for him.

Stellar

ccrdh82 · User Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 21

Where do you find these placement tests?
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StellarStory · User Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 472

In the library used book store I found Spelling Power for 50 cents. It has placement tests, and a whole spelling curriculum for all grades in it.

If you're interested, I'd look for it used, maybe on e-bay or something, because googling it, shows it to be rather expensive $60 or so new.

Stellar

Kimberly · User Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 50 Location: Iowa

My oldest son, who does well in other subjects, has struggled in spelling. The past year his spelling has improved a lot. I found that traditional spelling books did absolutely NO good with him. He could remember them for the test and then promptly for get the words the next time he wrote them. I found a couple of things that helped. One was Apples for Spelling, which is a spelling book with no tests, just a lot or practice. I also had him start writing on the computer and using spell check. After correcting the same word a few times he would remember.
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rara1988 · User Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Nebraska

Thank you to all of you who have replied. It all helps. I was thinking of having her do more reading with me. Does anyone recommend a computer game(s) that is (are) fun, yet challenge them with spelling? Thanks RaRa

MelN2LilMen · User Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 22

My son has this same problem. He spells everything phonetically.
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StellarStory · User Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 472

Lee_Queen · User Joined: 15 May 2012 Posts: 3

Tashathomson · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 9:43 pm Post subject:

At the age of 11 years it's difficult to handle. But as you mentioned that She does very well in her other subjects if good sing of student. Don't try experiment on it. Is normal issue. Just focus on to help her to get out of this. You should try to do some basic phonics with her. It will help her definitely.