3rd grade spelling homework- your thougts

[mudnuri]

It is good for them to learn the rules however I think that most kids may just memorize the rules for the test then forget them. I'm not sure how many 3rd graders will actually remember all those rules, I'm not sure I can remember all the rules of spelling??!!!

LOL I dont think i ever learned any rules...oh wait- I learned ways to remember, principal is your pal....vs principle.... that sort of thing...heck, I'm still doing that today in Anatomy class!!!

Brandy

 

[lovmy2girls]

Exactly what my DD8 has for spelling homework is below. Was discussing this with another mom this afternoon, 1 of us didnt see anything wrong with it, the other thought it was too much. Your thoughts?

Skills: Ending sound /ch/ and ending sound /k/

generalizations for sound of /k/ learn these rules

1. at the end of a one-syllable work, /k/ can be spelled k or ck

2. Use ck at the end of a one-syllable word directly after a single short vowel (duck)

3. Use K after consonant (mark), after a long-vowel sound (smoke) and after two vowels (cheek).

words to learn
block, mark, sunk, cheek, check, brick, crack, speck, strike, spank, thick

generalizations for sounds of /ch/ learn these rules

1. /ch/ can be spelled ch or tch.

2. use tch at the end of a word directly after a single short vowel.

3. use ch at the beginning of a word (chin), after a consonant (lunch) and after two vowels (beach)

words to learn
pinch, bench, ditch, snatch, teach, hatch, blotch, witch, March, couch

words that are exceptions to the rule- to learn
such, much, rich, which, sandwich.

Brandy

My kids never learned to read with these kind of rules at school. They learned the phonics approach. It seems easier to me, and more logical way to learn to read.

 

[ksjayhawks]

I don't think it is too much. The words seem easy for 3rd grade, but when applied to the rules make sense.

 

[mudnuri]

My kids never learned to read with these kind of rules at school. They learned the phonics approach. It seems easier to me, and more logical way to learn to read.

spelling has nothing to do with her reading. Spelling is done in her homeroom, reading is done in different blocks where they are grouped according to ability...spelling they're all together regardless of reading level

Brandy

 

[mickeyfan2]

Seem fine to me.

 

[ladycollector]

If that's the way they're teaching spelling/reading it seems okay to me. I don't remember ever doing something like that and I have always made 98-99 in English classes.. Is this the way they're doing it in all schools now?

 

[lovmy2girls]

spelling has nothing to do with her reading. Spelling is done in her homeroom, reading is done in different blocks where they are grouped according to ability...spelling they're all together regardless of reading level

Brandy

Sorry, good luck. I think third grade is just so hard compared to 2nd. What a big change, and they didn't seem to ease into it, just, wham ! What they make them learn and memorize at one time is a lot for the age group.

This year has been hard for us so far, a big change for my daughter from last year all around, spelling being the hardest.

 

[JoBird]

Okay, I am not a teacher, however, my MIL is what's called a district wide teacher specialist. In essence, she goes around and teaches the teachers how to "teach" reading and spelling to their students. My DS is in first grade this year and was having trouble so my MIL gave me these lessons she uses, flash cards and spelling words to get him on track.
Which brings me back to your situation. Phonics, if taught correctly, teaches "rules" to go with each combination of letters. These "rules", once learned, are useful in helping the child to always remember what sound should be applied to what combination of letters, and why. The "why" is the most important. Once they learn the why, they can read any word put before them because their brain works faster than their mouths to find the correct "fit" for how the word should sound. Confused yet?
So to answer your question, no, it is not too much for a third grader. They are merely teaching sounds, not just letters. So in reality, your daughter is getting a GREAT lesson.
By the way, a child that is taught only to sight read a word, by the end of third grade can read approximately 300 words. A child that is taught phonics, breaking down each sound and knowing the "rules" for each combination of letters ( by the end of third grade) can read approximately 300,000 words.
Go over the rules with her, saying them out loud, together. Repitition is the key! Hope you feel better today about all of the work. It will pay off in the end!