It is an interesting distinction in inventive spelling, isn't it? I wish I knew more about the differences in this and phonics. If the student is learning the sounds of things (and when it is appropriate to use which conventions) is that still valuable?
Good idea about asking them to explain how they came around to their answers. In the EdPsych class we took last term, the prof encouraged us to ask them to explain when they were right, too. I hadn't ever thought about that, but it keeps them from thinking we only want to hear from them when they have biffed it ;)
I'm so glad that you were intrigued by the inventive spelling! The more elementary teachers can understand the role inventive spelling plays in learning to write, the more that teachers will allow the students to make space for them to play with language and to take risks. When students are comfortable taking risks when writing, they will develop their writing skills. When they think that they are going to get corrected right off the bat, then they will not want to write and their fluency will be inhibited. In terms of correcting spelling. It all depends on when and how you do it. The key is to work on editing kind of issues toward the end of the writing process. They first need to be interested, draft and write. Then, after they have had a chance to work on it, you can work on the spelling--and not all the spelling all at once. also, mini lessons can help. say several of the students are mis spelling a certain thing. You can turn that into a mini lesson. The key, though, is that it shouldn't be the focus! does this make sense?
Rachel, As usual I like your interpretations of the readings. For the Inventive Spelling, You mention the importance of discerning if and when a child is “using inventive spelling in appropriate way”, and your questioning about the need for correction.
I struggle with this a lot, When correct…When to not correct…
Thank you for sharing the challenge you observe with some of your students in the Spanish Immersion program. Confusing the J for “H” in spelling Hat, still happens to me!!!! (I have to read and re-read what I write a million times, and still find childish spelling mistakes!
I feel that it is healthier for children -as well as for me- to write and write, let it all out of my head and chest, and then revise on a second instance, so that they feel the pleasure of creative writing, instead of the pressure of spelling. How do you feel about this?
It is an interesting distinction in inventive spelling, isn't it? I wish I knew more about the differences in this and phonics. If the student is learning the sounds of things (and when it is appropriate to use which conventions) is that still valuable?
ReplyDeleteGood idea about asking them to explain how they came around to their answers. In the EdPsych class we took last term, the prof encouraged us to ask them to explain when they were right, too. I hadn't ever thought about that, but it keeps them from thinking we only want to hear from them when they have biffed it ;)
I'm so glad that you were intrigued by the inventive spelling! The more elementary teachers can understand the role inventive spelling plays in learning to write, the more that teachers will allow the students to make space for them to play with language and to take risks. When students are comfortable taking risks when writing, they will develop their writing skills. When they think that they are going to get corrected right off the bat, then they will not want to write and their fluency will be inhibited.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of correcting spelling. It all depends on when and how you do it. The key is to work on editing kind of issues toward the end of the writing process. They first need to be interested, draft and write. Then, after they have had a chance to work on it, you can work on the spelling--and not all the spelling all at once.
also, mini lessons can help. say several of the students are mis spelling a certain thing. You can turn that into a mini lesson. The key, though, is that it shouldn't be the focus! does this make sense?
Rachel, As usual I like your interpretations of the readings. For the Inventive Spelling, You mention the importance of discerning if and when a child is “using inventive spelling in appropriate way”, and your questioning about the need for correction.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with this a lot, When correct…When to not correct…
Thank you for sharing the challenge you observe with some of your students in the Spanish Immersion program.
Confusing the J for “H” in spelling Hat, still happens to me!!!! (I have to read and re-read what I write a million times, and still find childish spelling mistakes!
I feel that it is healthier for children -as well as for me- to write and write, let it all out of my head and chest, and then revise on a second instance, so that they feel the pleasure of creative writing, instead of the pressure of spelling. How do you feel about this?