I don't want a fight with the teacher!

[tyketiler]

Posted preivously about a spelling test my DS did,anyway consensus was 2 different correct ways of spelling the same words (organise/organize etc). Teacher is not approachable so I just asked son to mention his version of spelling (ize version) was in OED as correct. Got a message back from DS today -teacher asked him to tell me I was trying to 'undermine' her (he had to write this word on his hand as he didn't understand it. He said ' I didn't know what it meant, but it sounded mean'. I feel so cross as I would have had a reasonable conversation with her if she wasn't so aggressive/defensive in manner. I like to keep a low profile as a parent and have been happy with all teachers to date. Thought I would off load here to avoid need to reply to her verbal message.

seems bit much to say that to your ds - am assuming that he isn't very old..

I saw your original message (was going to tell you about Greek derivations but others got there first!) and I have to say offloading here makes you a better person than I: I'd be writing a very nasty note or going in to have a strong word! Spelling with a z is perfectly acceptable: some words just have two spellings. That is the English language, not purely to undermine her, and even if she feels undermined by it then she certainly should not be writing messages on your son's hand for you!

For the first time I have met a teacher of my children who I do not like- she has obvious favourites (my DS said X and Y never get told off because she knows their mums). I leave my son to get on with his own work/spelling etc as he is 'gifted and talented' whatever that means. My initial reaction was to rant and rave at her, but she is reknowned for having favourites, being 'old school' ie talking about sensitive matters to parents in public corridors etc. I have decided to keep my/our heads down over this year, send DH to parents evening (so I don't punch her LOL ) and wait till next yr for normal services to resume!

"ize" spellings are used in American English, not really in British English.

Teacher sounds a bit bonkers though.

I would not give her the satisfaction of any reaction whatsoever.

i would probably talk to her directly in calm and normal manner. However i can see her point of view if you are in the uk as we don;t use americanised spellings of words. e.g colour - color

i would probably talk to her directly in calm and normal manner. However i can see her point of view if you are in the uk as we don;t use americanised spellings of words. e.g colour - color

i wouldnt have told ds to go in and tell ehr, id have gone in and explained he was upset because x,y and z and told her WHY he spelt it like he did.

I agree that you should have gone to speak to the teacher.
You need to trust that what his teacher is teaching your son is correct.
However I did not see your other thread, and don't know the full story.

Isn't the point here that if your child was given a list of spellings then he should learn them as they are given him - the point of the test is to learn how to spell words (which I agree can sometimes be spelt 2 ways) but also as a kind of discipline exercise. Is it really worth making a fuss about? Agree the teacher should not vent about you to the child but really I think you should pick your arguments..