Well, nothin’ will end a blog-posting drought like some of your child’s superb work from school. Here is one of Elijah’s first spelling tests – a prespelling test, mind you. Prespelling tests are given every Monday. The students are introduced to a brand new set of words, and are encouraged to “brave” spell them. They aren’t really expected to get them right, but if they do, they are given a challenge list for the “real” spelling test on Friday. Dolphin, information and pumpkin are among some of the words that Elijah will be learning to spell this week! Hmmm…dare I dream of the National Spelling Bee? And doesn’t my son have lovely penmanship for a first-grader?
P.S. The other three words are on the back.
Janice
September 25, 2006 at 7:29 pm
Congratulations, Elijah! Good penmanship for a 1st grader? His penmanship is better than some adults I know. Well done!
Jilly
September 26, 2006 at 12:22 pm
Yeah Elijah! He is amazing Jan! I can’t wait to see how he does at the end of the week! He must have been so very proud!
Love you lots and lots!
Hugs!
Me
Grampie Horsman
September 26, 2006 at 2:48 pm
Well if that’s doesn’t make a retired school teacher Grampie proud, then there’s no hope for him at all! You have done very well, Elijah! And thanks, Mum, for sharing this with us. By the way, are the children in MN taught phonetically or by sight or a combination?
Holly Howe
September 26, 2006 at 3:20 pm
what a great speller you are, elijah!!! GOOD JOB!!!
Holly Howe
September 26, 2006 at 3:21 pm
oh how i miss stickers!!!
Janet
September 26, 2006 at 3:50 pm
It seems to be a combination. You’ll notice on the test that the words are all from the same phonetic family. And don’t worry, if he misses out on learning phonetics at school, we’re teaching it here at home! I’ve been teaching Elijah phonetics since he was four, (and now I’m working with Zeke) and that’s why I think he was able to sound those words out so well.
Grampie Horsman
September 28, 2006 at 8:15 am
Ahhh! Phonetics is the way to go, in my experience. As you know there are some sight words children need to learn before they can read fluently? If you don’t have that list, I can get it for you if you want although Dave may remember it from his 1st Grade days. Just let me know.
Grampie Horsman
September 28, 2006 at 8:19 am
I forgot to mention the penmanship. Excellent for a someone your age, Elijah!!! By the way, Mum, how many teeth has Elijah lost? His penmanship would indicate he has lost some. I’d be interested to know how many and when he started loosing them.
Janet
September 28, 2006 at 9:09 am
Elijah did learn a lot of sight words last year at kindergarten, but I’d be interested to compare it with your list.
He lost his first tooth this past summer, and none since. Strange, I think – if my memory serves me correctly, after I lost my first tooth, there was never a break in the action. But maybe since he got a late start, it’ll be slow going as well(?). By the way, this is the first I’ve heard about the tooth-loss/penmanship theory.
Grampie Horsman
September 28, 2006 at 11:08 am
The chemical change in your body which causes you to loose teeth is the same change which helps you develop coordination and concentration. That’s why, in the Academy, we never pushed the children to do what we felt was “good work” until they started loosing teeth. I’ll call Aunt Sharon and get the list of sight words from her — it probably is the same list, or a similar list that Elijah’s teachers used.
Taren W
September 30, 2006 at 11:48 am
Looks like Elijah is headed for the Scripps Bee! Congrats!
Janet
October 1, 2006 at 5:06 pm
Hi, Taren W (Walters, right?). Where in the world are you? And how did you find our website?
Darlene
October 9, 2006 at 6:35 am
Elijah: Wow, you are doing great, and I love your neat printing. thank you Mommy for sharing with us. Thank you also to Grampie for sharing his wisdom, first time I heard about the tooth loss factor.
Keep up the great work Elijah.
Love from Auntie Darlene