to think a P3 teacher should be able to spell 'orchestra'

[paintandbrush]

Without having to consult a dictionary. This word was suggested by a 7 year old in the class (who could spell it) during a words-that-start-with-O exercise.

In an ideal world. But meh.

Sometimes your mind goes blank!
That happens to me when I'm in front of a class.
It's actually good for children to see an adult looking up a word.
Shows that we all need help sometimes.

I had to look up 'Jurassic' the other day. My mind went blank.

Sometimes my mind blanks on a spelling and I look it up to be sure. If you see a lot of misspelled words (ie if you are a teacher), sometimes you doubt yourself. It's good to show children to check dictionaries if they are not sure of a spelling. No one is infallible.

Also, we have some dyslexic teachers at our school. They're fantastic but sometimes check spellings to be sure. Nothing wrong with that.

Fair enough re. being a good example to the kids.

No. It's not a high frequency word. Dyslexic people are allowed to be teachers. Sometimes you start to second guess the spelling of a word when you think about it too long. Teacher modelled what to do with word you can't spell.

struggles to think of alternate spellings for 'the'

OP, if any of us couldn't get a 'helping hand' from a dictionary etc, then most professional Women, would have to be granted leave, during the Menopause etc.

That's beside people who have Dyslexia etc, or who just can't spell.

I don't think that someone who can spell or do mental arithmetic, necessarily make better teachers.

I use another language at home. Sometimes words are similar in sound/ spelling in both languages and I cannot remember which is the correct spelling in English.

Did you know that an anagram of orchestra is carthorse?

wine I was just coming on to say that.

I love the fact that orchestra is an anagram of carthorse. In my mind's eye, the carthorses in my imaginary menagerie are playing instruments. It's quite an amusing picture.

Oh that's cool, thanks wine I love odd knowledge like that

Teaching effectively isn't simply about knowing everything. Part of being an effective teacher is teaching children how to find things out for themselves. It also isn't possible for teachers to know everything. What we do need to know is how to find out - and now those children know too. Fabulous.

I am a teacher who regularly makes students look up spellings in dictionaries that I can spell - because once they are out of my classroom they may not always have someone to ask. It would be easier for them and me to just tell them - but what do they actually learn from that?

There's also nothing worse than HAVING to be right to make you want to double check everything!

You've put it much more eloquently than I was going to coolaschmoola