When to work on spelling and grammar. And how?

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t seem like it’s being explicitly taught in most public schools. Or is it just too early? When should spelling/grammar be taught, and how?

[Anonymous]

How old is your child?

If K or 1st, most teachers will offer limited criticism of spelling and grammar because it can discourage early readers/writers. Once they are more comfortable with both, teachers will focus more on spelling and grammar.

Also my observation is that the more kids read, the better their spelling and grammar gets (if they are reading things with correct spelling and grammar). Because obviously it exposes them to correct usage over and over. Though the degree to which this sinks in will vary --some kids will still need a lot of help.

[Anonymous]

Ours started spelling lists and tests in 2nd grade but generally didn't correct spelling in writing practice / journals until 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Stop wishing and send your kid to Catholic school.

[Anonymous]

I was SO frustrated with this in 3rd grade, but 4th grade seemed to be the year that spelling and grammar were corrected in writing.

[Anonymous]

Reading a lot can be very helpful but some kids naturally absorb spelling and some don't. It may partially relate to whether they have had phonics training or a photographic memory or other related skills.

There is definitely not enough grammar content in public schools and it was never very interesting anyway when there was more of it.

Teachers tend not to do red ink pen very much because they are trained that the most important priority is not to discourage young writers. I also believe when they say they have less time for grading.

So...the solution I recommend is to pay for a subscription to IXL.com and sit with your child as they complete the grammar units. Focusing on grammar will require you to navigate your child through the grade-level skill-based units. Otherwise they will get recommended a wide variety of English units. With some added focus, your child may be able to progress a couple grades above their grade level. You should offer your kid some reward for doing this extra work.

Khan Academy might have a grammar resource but I don't know their offerings.

[Anonymous]

Definitely Christmas day! That's also international cram spelling and grammar day! Little known facts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop wishing and send your kid to Catholic school.

This. I have a public 8th grader. They can’t write well at all. It’s not taught. Go private if you want your kids to write well and be taught grammar and spelling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely Christmas day! That's also international cram spelling and grammar day! Little known facts

lol. This is OP. I’m asking today because this is when I had time and energy to post a thread! Thanks for the laugh.

[Anonymous]

You could supplement with this program at home. https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling/

[Anonymous]

First Language Lessons, Grammar for the Well Trained Mind, and Writing with Ease are wonderful. I homeschooled one using these and supplemented with my others. They’re available as pdfs which is nice.

Email with your child’s age and issues and they will recommend where to begin. The office will likely be closed over the holidays. All of my children became wonderful writers.

https://welltrainedmind.com/c/subject/grammar/

[Anonymous]

Our small secular private in MoCo explicitly teaches spelling, has weekly spelling tests, and is explicitly teaching & testing grammar. This starts in 1st grade, just as it did when I was in public school 1st grade. Colleagues say their kids in Catholic elementary schools also still do this starting in 1st grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t seem like it’s being explicitly taught in most public schools. Or is it just too early? When should spelling/grammar be taught, and how?

We can thank Lucy Calkins and her "Writers Workshop" for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stop wishing and send your kid to Catholic school.

This. I have a public 8th grader. They can’t write well at all. It’s not taught. Go private if you want your kids to write well and be taught grammar and spelling.

Grammar and punctuation starts slowly in elementary school and then hits full speed in middle school.

Your schools must be teaching the rules of grammar and punctuation.

How else would they know whether to say “Jimmy and I” or “me and Jimmy” ? And the simple way you can confirm which is right. How about too, two, to and which ones to use. Identifying verbs, nouns, adjectives. I before E except after C with exceptions. Plus so much more.

Punctuation starts early but grammar and punctuation focus goes on until graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could supplement with this program at home. https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling/

How many hours should a kid be sitting in front of a computer or book? Tutors and math classes and grammar programs. Find a school that teaches these but first ask the teachers what the plan is.