Spelling

[Emily3030]

My DD is in Y1 aged 6. She is one of the eldest in her class so in theory should be ahead academically. Today I found out that she is on the lowest level spelling card in the class. In fact, she's extremely low. We try hard to improve this but she just can't do it.

These are sight words, and I'm wondering if any other children out there are struggling to remember them?

I think academic ability is individual and not especially related to age, she may excel in other areas but struggle with spelling, or she may have a massive improvement as she goes through school.

My DS had sessions at school where they related spellings to sentences (no doubt there is a technical term for it) such as "said" Small Ants In Danger and "because" Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants.

If you have concerns your first point of contact should be the class teacher.

We have raised our concerns with our school on a yearly basis and only now DS in Yr6 and going to secondary this year have they agreed he needs testing for dyslexia.

Good luck.

I'm sure there will be someone along soon with more helpful and knowledgeable advice.

My son is a terrible speller although they don't do spelling lists at his school yet in year 1. My son is hard of hearing and struggles with spelling.

On another bullitin board I have been recommended Apples and Pears

but I have not tried it yet with my son we have been using Ruth Miskin Superphonics Spelling but the pace is too fast for my son.

(ReallyTired is chuffed as she has learnt to do links)

mnemonics such as Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants BECAUSE or said silly ants in danger can help some children remember how to spell some words.
Words in words ~ Try looking for little words in big words.
e.g. g - old - en
st - and - ing
fat - her
w -hat
w -hen
Say it silly!
Divide a word into exaggerated parts as an aid to spelling.
e.g. Wed - nes - day
Parl - i - am - ent (I am in parliament)

Highlighting
Try highlighting the hard bit of a word in coloured pens.
e.g. pe o ple
i s land

Message withdrawn

Sorry I haven't been around before to reply but I really appreciate your replys, some fantastic ideas! Many thanks guys!

Do they practice them at school as well? Definitely talk to the teacher if possible - they should have some suggestions. Is your DD stressed about it or not bothered? One friend was told to relax and not practice spellings every night with her DS and he now seems to be doing a lot better.

BTW I absolutely don't think that because your DD is one of the eldest she "should" be ahead academically. IM(limited)E there seems to be a huge variation in Y1 attainment levels (and further variation across subjects - the high fliers in literacy are not often the same as in numercy / creative stuff) and it has nothing to do with age.

I'm not sure if they practice at school, I don't think they do. Apparently a TA told her she needs to practice more which riled me a bit, as we practice so much and it's just not clicking for her. She wrote these particular words out about 15 times each so they would lodge in her memory...and then the next night she couldn't even read them (in a story book she was trying to read). That's when I realized I had to stop as it wasn't working. I am planning a chat with the teacher when they go back. My daughter doesn't seem at all bothered but one of the other kids mentioned it to her in a mocking tone which upset her a bit, understandably.