Should I be correcting Dd's phonetic spellings? (Yr 1)

[Fakebook]

Dd has been doing writing homework since the start of this year. She's 6 years old now and in year 1. Last year in foundation they were taught to spell things phonetically.

Now she's in year 1, I asked her teacher if I should correct her spellings when she finishes her homework and was told to leave them and she will mark them.

Her incorrect spellings still aren't marked though, and even if they were, she won't have a chance to look at the words and learn them.

I don't think dd is learning that she is spelling things wrong and when I've tried to correct them, she tells me "I spell it like this though"...it seems she's been given too much independence by being taught to spell phonetically.

Should I start underlining her misspelt words regardless of what teacher says?

No, they start to correct in year 2. It is frustrating that in year 2 they start spelling tests after having 2 years of 'anything goes' I know.

I am an older a Mum and my DDs teachers corrected her spelling in year 1. I would not have expected anything less or you have to learn the correct version all over again. Makes life so much more difficult. Does she not recognise the correct spellings from books? Perhaps show her the difference yourself. Reading an incorrectly spelt word is not actually reading, is it?

Buzzard, That's weird. Why would they let them write things incorrectly and then teach them that it's actually spelled completely differently 2 years later? . We were always taught the correct spelling from the start.

MillyMolly, yes she does notice the difference between correctly spelled words when reading but her comment is always "that's not how it's spelled, I do it differently". She seems to be in the mind set that you can spell words however you want and everyone does it differently.

She doesn't seem to understand the rules about spelling and that there is only one way to spell a word. I'm worried she'll find spelling difficult in the future because of this.

I think I'm going to start checking her work and correcting spellings and showing her. We got back last weeks homework today and naturally, incorrect spellings haven't been pointed out again.

Hello Fakebook. I think I would start correcting. Is there anyone else your DD might listen to regarding the fact that there is normally only one way to spell a word correctly? Grandma or Grandad? Clearly her teacher is not doing it yet, but this is a case where doctrine and method are getting in the way of common sense. Could you buy a junior dictionary? Maybe look up the words together, but also look for her words. Choose the right ones and they will not be there! Would she be positive about getting rewards for spelling that met with your approval rather than her own approval? I would worry about this too!

I'm a Y1 teacher and I correct spellings with the child - if the word has an alternative spelling for the sound I would say well done that is a way to spell the sound * but in this word we spell it ^ . The more times you see an incorrect spelling the more chance for it to become fixed in the memory.

Yes, correct her spelling and have her copy out the corrected word at least three times. It's no good allowing these invented spellings, as the children just learn bad habits.

Dont correct her spelling within her homework book, how wise is the teacher going to know where she is struggling. Do the corrections on a separate piece of paper if you feel you ought to or add a note saying that homework was completed with additional support

All spellings are invented.

Actually, I only learnt recently that English has such bizarre spellings because our spelling is so welded to tradition rather than being phonetic. So we keep old spellings even after pronunciations change. That's as arbitrary and made-up as any system could ever be.

DS's yr1 teacher corrects his spellings, but more of a note than a correction iyswim.
I tend to tell them correct spellings but not much bothered. Teachers do need to see what they can do when working independently.

I think some people have quite a victorian take on correcting spellings. Both my DS's used the free style spelling in year one because its about building confidence in writing and mark making. They weren't forced to write the word correctly, however with regular key words (there, about etc) she would occasionally write the correct version above the word without pointing it out. I think underlining every wrongly spelt word is a soul destroying and confidence breaking idea. Can't you look up the 100 or so words she should know how to spell in year one and if she spells one of these wring, write the correct version above the word. My DS both gained a great understanding of spelling through reading lots. They are fantastic spellers now and at grammar school. The schools approach to spellings worked in their favour.

I'm always fascinated by the bizarre ways Dd1 (6 and going into Year 2 here in NZ) manages to spell things. But I noticed that about half way through Year 1 (so just after her 6th birthday) the teacher started getting them to underline words that DD thought she might have spelt wrong. It coincided with a jump in her reading ability.

It seemed to me like a good link between the "spell it how you think it sounds" stage and the "no, you've spelt it wrong" stage. DD seems to realise with about 80% of her 'interesting' spellings that it doesn't coincide with what it looks like when she reads the word.

That is interesting viola and I wish dd's teacher had done the same. Thankfully, she is a good speller now I am 'allowed' to correct her and has also coincided with being moved into the top set for reading.

I would be wary of correcting too much and putting her off. My DD is the same age and I help her with how to spell things when she asks me to, and leave her be if not. The big difference is she knows that there is a "correct" way of spelling things but that if she doesn't know it it's fine to do your best to spell a word. I have noticed that over time she is gradually spelling more and more words correctly.

It doesn't seem right that your DD has got the idea that her way is the right way of spelling though. Have you explained to the teacher that DD perceives her way of spelling as right? It may be that she has misunderstood the teachers meaning and if the teacher realised that she could point her back in the right direction. If she is anything like my DD she will believe it coming from a teacher rather than a parent.

I can understand those of you saying that it will break her confidence if I start correcting spelling but I'm worried about her thinking her way is always the right way. Maybe I will have a word with the teacher and ask her to explain to dd about spellings.

I like the idea about getting a dictionary and just showing her the right way and looking up the words she should know at this stage and only correcting them.

Take mrz's advice!

I appreciate the 'breaking her confidence' angle, but wrong spellings could become automatic and much more difficult to correct later.

Would she understand if you told her that her spelling might make it difficult for people to understand the brilliant things she is writing? I had to use that angle with older children who insisted that that was the way they spelled things...

MaizieD, thats what I'm worried about. I know it's good to build confidence but she's writing things like "becoz" "won sup I could try that. She's going to do her homework tomorrow so after she's done it I could explain about

Crap. Pressed too soon.

I'll see how she goes tomorrow and may just point out the wrong words and explain that it's hard for people to understand if its spelled wrong, but praise her work at the same time.

and it doesn't break confidence if dome in a sympathetic manner -
"Well done that is a way to spell that sound can you think of another way to spell it? ...fantastic! that's the one we need in this word ...aren't you clever!"

done not dome