Correcting spelling mistakes in schools

[Titbits]

Please help...I have started an epetition on the governments website.
My local primary school tells me that they don't correct all my children's spelling mistakes because too much red pen is discouraging! Surely it would be better to focus on ENcouraging them to spell correctly...and making them feel proud of their work?
Ofsted are actively promoting this approach even though friends in further education and the business world tell me that they throw away any applications from students with poor spelling.
It seems that in secondary school, spelling errors aren't corrected at all.
Call me old fashioned (!) but copying out a spelling mistake three times at the bottom of the page was how I improved my spelling. Weekly spelling tests seem irrelevant if the children then aren't taught to use the correct spelling in a body of text.

Hope you will help..enough names will mean it's discussed in Parliament. Link below:

epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/10821

Have to watch out for those pedants!
especially the ones with red pens

Why would an iPad change "there is a mistake" to "their is a mistake"? Does it really??? If so there really is no hope.

It wouldn't

feenie "Please don't suggest to me what I 'ought' to be thinking -it isn't your place."

Careful you don't fall off that high horse. Apparently you are allowed to have a 'Different Opinion' but when I voice a comment I turn into a Nazi who is telling you what you ought to think!!

Godwin put forth the hyperbolic observation that, given enough time, in any online discussion?regardless of topic or scope?someone inevitably criticizes some point made in the discussion by comparing it to beliefs held by Hitler and the Nazis.

Now who was it who mentioned Nazis?

Me. I don't deny it. I am extremely miffed by the phrase "it isn't your place". How rude and patronising is that.

I restrained myself from this comment yesterday but I will make it now. Does it not occur to you that there are more threads about education than there are about doctors/electricians because more people feel failed by educators than they do by other trades?

Why did you restrain yourself? It's was a question asked by several posters on this thread, after all, not just me. Why didn't you just answer it?
I am baffled by how wound up you are, Purits. Calm down! I didn't say you couldn't have a different opinion, I was just bemused by how personal you seem to want to make it, talking about 'private spats'. Weird.

That's brilliant....is that true or just a funny observation?

...the Hitler thing...not the private spat...

Oh and yes it does change the word for you...especially if you write in phrases not full sentences!.....particularly likes to change my name to Lizard...weird.

Well, don't 'may I suggest' me then. People who say 'may I suggest' say it to purposely sound snippy - if they genuinely want to offer a suggestion, they simply do so, without the preface. Don't be surprised if people don't like it.

So answer the question.

Why do you think there are so many threads on MN complaining about teachers?

Other than the ridiculous, PFB 'OMG the teacher just shouted at my child', I have no idea - it's a common complaint though from MN teachers.

I'll answer it purits, its because some MNers think that the ability to procreate automatically makes them experts on everything even vaguely related to children, including how best to educate.

There's another thread about at the moment - something to do with DEMANDING a teacher rescinds a sanction handed out to their PDS today. Lovely example to give to the child there - don't worry if you don't like the punishment, you don't have to do it

"I have no idea"

Does that translate as don't know, don't care, we're right and everyone else is wrong.

Cannot continue this enlightening debate because I am off to PTA.

fucking hell purits, bet you're a delight for your DCs school(s)?!

Teachers are trained, they have their pupil's best interests at heart and they work extremely hard to ensure each child receives the best possible education.

Some parents seem to think teachers do the job because they hate children and want to ensure they have as crap a start in life as possible

I am better trained than you to decide what is best for your child in the classroom. However, I obviously try to work with the parents at all times and as of course they know their child better than I do. It does not make them a better educator

No, I don't lose any sleep worrying over why MNers post so many threads like the one TheFlyingOnion linked too, purits - are you seriously suggesting I should??!! I have many more sensible things to subject my stress levels to, thanks!

I sat on my hands not to post just that, TheFlyingOnion!

I'm not so subtle, I'm afraid...

It's a shame that we can't get any sensible discussion on the subject of why school-leavers are perceived by employers and higher education staff to have inadequate command of the English language.

Actually, that reminds me of something I meant to post yesterday, I had forgotten:

Olifin Tue 06-Sep-11 22:28:37
The more I think about the OP, the more bizarre I find it.

Why are you petitioning the government OP? I don't believe the NC dictates how schools should mark spelling. When I taught Secondary English, it was a departmental matter.

It sounds as though you've spoken to the school about it but if you don't like their approach, why not take it further? Are you on the board of governors? The PTA?

The PTA are a fundraising body only - in England, anyway. There's no way they would have any influence in this matter.

Katisha whenever there is a discussion about handwriting someone ( usually a parent ) insists that handwriting isn't important because all important manuscripts are written on computers. If that is true there is no excuse for poor spelling because word processing packages include a spell check facility which should eliminate 99% of errors in job/university applications and all related documents. I would suggest that any applicant who submits a word processed application littered with spelling errors is either too lazy, too stupid or simply doesn't give a damn.
I would also suggest that the culture of "everyone" needs to go to university and "everyone" is entitled to a university place has led to applicants who only a short time ago would never have considered or have been considered.

Sorry I haven't read all of the thread - feel free to ignore if it has moved on too much.

I think there is too much in the curriculum. While I would not support the petition, I feel there is too much that we are expected to teach. I would be slated by SLT if I decided to focus (narrow down) my Literacy curriculum. I would like to concentrate on reading, spelling, handwriting (though work on producing a neat version of a child's OWN style rather than forcing a style on to them) and creative writing (including some factual work. I think form writing/ report writing (within reason) should be left to secondary school.

Primary schools should be able to concentrate on the basics which should include fostering a love of writing. We spend far too much time reading texts in order to recreate them.

I would love to read for enjoyment, learn spellings and write for enjoyment. Then standards would improve.

I am baffled by the fact that people are suprised that there are so many threads about teaching on Mumsnet. After all this is a site expressly for concerned parents. Might as well also be surprised that there are so many threads about breastfeeding or behavioural issues. Mumsnet does not represent the world, only a certain sort of concerned parent.