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main page. Information: One reason children write using only small words is because they're so frustrated by trying to spell bigger, more interesting ones. The author once had a student who wrote:
"I went into the woods. And I went up a tree."
What he told her was:
"I sneaked into the woods because my mother didn't want me to go there. But it was really cool, because I climbed this big old sycamore tree on a hill and I could see for miles!"
Obviously his spoken story was much more interesting and advanced than his written one. When we gave him the correct spelling for the larger words, his third attempt--written--was even better than the one he told us.
Solution: "3 x 5 dictionary"
Have your child tell you what he wants to say first. As he talks, you make a list of the words he's likely to have trouble spelling. Write each word on a 3 x 5 card, near the top. He should spread them out on the table so he can spot them easily as he writes. After he's done his writing assignment, file the cards in his file box alphabetically. This file box then becomes a spelling dictionary he can add to day by day. It's much easier to use than a standard dictionary.
Tip: If your child understands alphabetization, he can alphabetize them by spreading them out on a table and putting them in order. This way of alphabetizing requires no writing and allows him to learn that skill as easily as possible, and is also a good way to handle assignments that require him to alphabetize a list of words.
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on Taming the Dragons: Real Help for Real School Problems.
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TAMING THE DRAGONS: REAL HELP FOR REAL SCHOOL PROBLEMS. Copyright Susan Setley, 1995. All rights reserved. For ordering information call Starfish Publishing Company (314) 367-9611
If you have comments or questions, drop a line to me at susans29@aol.com.
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