I've talked about my children's issues with spelling before. Bear is a junior in high school. Kitty is a freshman. Both usually pass the Modified version of the Statewide Standardized testing and when they don't... nothing really happens.
We're usually told the kids are "working at grade level" so our concerns are "unfounded." We were told that this year, Bear "almost" passed the Language Art section so we shouldn't be too concerned. Apparently he bombed the writing portion, but did fine on reading which brought up his score enough to "almost pass."
Struggling to Stand had suggested awhile back that I get the children assessed by an occupational therapist. I couldn't get the school to acknowledge a need, but they did assess the children for a special software called Solo 6. The school will implement the program for both kids - mostly in English class. They've decided to use it with the whole class so my kids don't feel singled out and because the school feels it would benefit thier classmates too (both my kids are in special ed).
Recently we went to a brief orientation on the program and they gave us a copy to use at home. Basically it's an interesting program, but I don't see it helping us much at home since our kids refuse to write unless forced. Plus, part of what it does is read what they've written out loud and you can tell it to check for spelling and possible homonym errors. I asked if it checked for grammar errors, but was told no, since most grammar programs are "wrong 50% of the time anyway." Basically I don't see how it will help my kids because the words spelled are so different from the correct spelling sometimes.
I did ask if they could check the kids' hearing because I've occasionally wondered if they just weren't hearing the words correctly, but more likely it's just that they've never seen the word written down before. Bear consistantly uses Granmal when meaning to write Grandma.
Can you work out what the title of this post is? I'll give you a hint. I found Bear had written it on the grocery list.
We're usually told the kids are "working at grade level" so our concerns are "unfounded." We were told that this year, Bear "almost" passed the Language Art section so we shouldn't be too concerned. Apparently he bombed the writing portion, but did fine on reading which brought up his score enough to "almost pass."
Struggling to Stand had suggested awhile back that I get the children assessed by an occupational therapist. I couldn't get the school to acknowledge a need, but they did assess the children for a special software called Solo 6. The school will implement the program for both kids - mostly in English class. They've decided to use it with the whole class so my kids don't feel singled out and because the school feels it would benefit thier classmates too (both my kids are in special ed).
Recently we went to a brief orientation on the program and they gave us a copy to use at home. Basically it's an interesting program, but I don't see it helping us much at home since our kids refuse to write unless forced. Plus, part of what it does is read what they've written out loud and you can tell it to check for spelling and possible homonym errors. I asked if it checked for grammar errors, but was told no, since most grammar programs are "wrong 50% of the time anyway." Basically I don't see how it will help my kids because the words spelled are so different from the correct spelling sometimes.
I did ask if they could check the kids' hearing because I've occasionally wondered if they just weren't hearing the words correctly, but more likely it's just that they've never seen the word written down before. Bear consistantly uses Granmal when meaning to write Grandma.
Can you work out what the title of this post is? I'll give you a hint. I found Bear had written it on the grocery list.
5 comments:
laundry soap?
If you have a university near you, they may have an audiology and an occupational therapy department where you could get evaluations done for a reduced cost.
My guess is laundry soap but without the grocery list hint I would have been clueless. It appears to be Old English. Maybe Bear is a secret fan of the Canterbury Tales?
Do you think either Kitty or Bear would be interested in working on the school newspaper? Seeing one's byline on a story can be an incentive to write. If that's not possible maybe all the kids could contribute to a family newsletter to be mailed or emailed to your relatives. Even if they just wrote a brief description of a trip you all took or a funny story about your pets it might encourage them to take an interest in writing.
Aside from that I don't know what to tell you. I'm just appalled that public schools don't seem to care whether students are adequately prepared for adult life.
Around dove apple laws!!Congratulations Waldenbunch! Yes, it was laundry soap. Reading the kids writing is like that game Mad Gab! "Police Comma Kin!"
Thanks C Dawn's bucket - we are near several universities, but unless they take Medicaid we can't afford testing right now. I talked to the kids doctor, but she doesn't see a need so will not recommend testing.
Miz K - the kids HATE writing. They will only write if it is a punishment, and even then only the bare minimum. I agree it stinks that the school could care less about their education. Even if they graduate from high school, the school acknowledges that they will not have complete educations. If they want to go to college they will have to attend junior college to get caught up to where most kids are when they graduate high school.
Mary in TX
The hearing thing could actually be more of a speech therapy need. (Right. Like you'll get that.) I think the problem starts in the ears but is never corrected. I'm working w/ Mr P a lot on his peception of what a word sounds like as he is now learning how to write. (Today he said "Disgracked for distracted, for example). I frequently take the time to say the word slowly for him, have him try to repeat it, slowly, using all the right sounds... I figure there is no way he'll be able to spell if he isn't aware of what the right sounds are.
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