Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Elementary School 1st/2nd Grade 2010-2011

We've been trying different things with spelling lists too because I'm wondering if the point is actually to challenge them with words they can't spell, or more to add to their vocab or learn spelling "rules". DS6 is in 5th grade spelling this year, and can already spell nearly every word on the lists (as he could with the 4th grade one last semester). However, we more often run into words that he can spell but not easily define.

I've decided to move out of "spelling" and into root words and etymology studies. There seem to be good study lists on the Scripps spelling bee websites. At our request, our charter agreed to sign up for the bee, which means they'll get access to study materials for us. You may want to see if your school is enrolled and see if you can get some of those materials? http://www.spellingbee.com/resources-students

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You guys don't even want to get me started on the whole spelling words thing. DS8 (was in 2nd grade last yr) is more of a phonic reader. Last yr, he'd get words like "beautiful" and "heirloom", etc. one week and the next week he'd get words like "junk" and "jump". What he needed was something in the middle.

B/c I was often testing DS8 on his words, DS6 got a large dose of 2nd grade (and higher) spelling in K. He's much more of a memorization kid. So, DS6 would learn DS8's words within a day or two and DS8 would be taking all week to learn them and then forget them as soon as the test was over. I became fantastic at creating funny ways to remember the words. It didn't help when there were words like heirloom that he'd never heard before and he has no reason to use.

It really drives me crazy. I can't tell what the point of spelling tests have in the early grades. It's as though the teachers give spelling just because they are supposed to, with no rhyme or reason. It was horrible last year because DS8 would have random words and then be told to write a story or create a cartoon using his spelling words.

Ultramarina: In terms of spelling lists, this site seems to have a good list: http://www.all-about-spelling.com/free-spelling-lists.html

Hello all -

How are things shaping up for 1st and 2nd graders in school, homeschoolers and everyone?

This year I have somewhat high hopes my ds6 will have a better time in 1st than in K. Remember my post last winter "vent-kindergarten cookie cutter curriculum"? lol

In first grade they should have more interesting projects, science, field trips, music, etc. I know I am looking forward to those as much as my ds.

And apparently my ds' K teacher told his new teacher that ds is "very smart". We'll see how her interpretation of plays out in the classroom. Don't want to get my hopes up too high but it is reassuring they are aware of his smartness (without my input even!) In one of his old preschools, they were completely clueless even with my input.

Back to school night is in a few weeks. I am curious to see what assessments they do between now and then.

All the best,

EW


p.s. JJsMom - thanks again for the thread

EW - That is promising that there is communication between last year's teachers and this year's. Sounds like good news to me! I hope this year goes better for your DS too.

School starts in a week, and we our first meeting with the new GC tomorrow, plus open house tomorrow night where we'll first meet the teacher. I'm hoping all goes smoothly despite the new school/new teachers/feeling of starting over. I'll update after tomorrow...

SPG -

Thanks for the good wishes! What is a GC?

looking forward to your update.

- EW

oh wait. gifted coordinator? took me a minute!

Sorry - yes, GC is Gifted Coordinator in my head - not sure if that's a common acronym or not!

Open house update - I'll start with the funny parts. I figured that his age wouldn't really come up when he started school, but right when we got to the open house, the girl behind the 4-H info table asked Simon how old he was and what grade he was going into, which of course he promptly told her. So much for that theory! Then when we went inside, the first person we saw was the new receptionist, who knows DS's age because he was just in kindergarten at the same time her son was. I know it's just a sterotype of receptionist's are gossipy, but I thought it was funny how it was becoming impossible for us to fly under the radar. And my final and funniest story: The previous GC, who DS loved and who basically tutored him in math last year, is now a FT 4th grade teacher at the new school that DS is attending this year. So we visited her at the open house, and she said she'd save a seat for him when he got to 4th grade. DS6 (who is just skipping 1st) said, "Maybe I'll can skip 3rd next year and go straight to Mrs. X's 4th grade class!"

The new GC seems to totally get gifted, and she's even familiar with HG kids. So we're excited about that. The new classroom teacher seems great too, and does reading programs at each kid's level, so that might work. We have a few kinks to work out since the plan from last year got changed last minute and some of the details never made it to the new school, but I'm cautiously optimistic.

Hi -

Thanks for sharing the update. Sounds like a good start, cautious optimism and all.

Maybe you should start a thread,

"Just when I thought we were going to fly under the radar..." lol

terrific that that the new GC "gets it" and the old GC is close by (as well as a potential future teacher for your ds!)

Here's to a great year with the new teacher!

ultramarina -

A belated welcome! How has the first week been for your DD?

EW

SPG: Glad to hear the open house update. Sounds promising.