Reply to what are your 3rd grader's spelling/vocab words

Forum Index » Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)

Reply to "what are your 3rd grader's spelling/vocab words"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here again -- more examples -- "prenatal" and "premed" -- it just seems implausible that an 8 yr. old would have any basis for knowing these words.  Moreover, it seems silly for them to be studying these particular words when there are many other words that they would use more frequently and don't yet know how to spell.

I understand that the idea is on teaching the prefixes, but then why are 8 yr olds tested on the meanings and spellings of words they will not use for another 5+ years?   [/quote]

I think the purpose is to learn the stem meaning (pre = before) so that when an unfamiliar word comes up, they have that knowledge of the stems at least.[/quote]... yes, but they are tested on the meaning of the whole word and the spelling of words like "subterranean."  Words like "prehistoric" -- ok, I think most 3rd graders can figure out the prefix and the root word b/c they know the word "history" or "historic."  But, tell me one 8 yr old who is familiar with "-natal" (coming from the latin root "natum" meaning "born").  It's a base word that no 8 yr. old would know.  Seems like an overly complicated way for kids to learn that "pre" means "before." Maybe these worksheets are just poor choices for 3rd grade.  [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics