so... as a parent, how do I know if my child meets his grade expectation?

We also have another issue. Not having much ease in spelling, DC has a hard time with creative writing. Not because the ideas are lacking, but because of the frustration she experiences with each word she writes -- how is it spelled? Is this correct? Oh, now I have to fix it.

Any writing the student does could be used. I don't send anything home specifically for spelling. For example, we don't teach a specific spelling pattern to the class each week.

18:50 So what actually comes home for parent to help their child with spelling?

We teach spelling, just not in the way you are referencing. Our students don't have weekly lists and tests. It's not taught in isolation. The POS, pacing and progress reports don't present spelling in isolation. It's incorporated in their writing.

Anonymous wrote:Wait, not nightly spelling lists, put words in ABC order, write a sentence/story with each word, test on Friday? No challenge words?

Yes, this is what we had in first grade. Word sort on Monday, practice spelling, word hunt - find the words in magazines, etc. Spelling test every Friday.

+1!!!!!

I would be fine reinforcing spelling at home, but the words actually need to COME HOME first. There are too many subjects that go an entire year's length with nothing coming home and I'm tired of asking 20 questions to my child just to find out what's going on.

OP here -- I did. I asked about spelling, about number facts, now about multiplication. Every time, I've been told that at this age, if they know the mechanics of how things work, that is the most important thing. They will learn spelling / mental arithmetic / etc in the next semester / year. That never happened, but when we took the WISC / academic achievement test, she was seriously docked for moving her fingers to add -- even though she did it really fast, quietly and accurately.

Talking back to her teacher, we *then* found out that the school will not practice those skills, and that "it's good" to practice them at home. (After she had told me to allow her to take the lead in teaching math rather than do extra work at home).

So I'm a bit frustrated with this already, and I fear the same thing is happennig with spelling.

having learned from the past, she is now comfortable with her multiplication and division, so at least that is something we will not have to rely on the school.

But, come on! teach spelling to these kids!!!!

Yes. This was 1st grade. We'll see about 2nd.

Anonymous wrote:I have yet to see any spelling come home. There are several subjects like this where parents never get anything sent home and seem to be in the dark about.

Have you emailed the teacher and asked?

We had spelling homeowrk starting in 1st grade.

Wait, not nightly spelling lists, put words in ABC order, write a sentence/story with each word, test on Friday? No challenge words?

I have yet to see any spelling come home. There are several subjects like this where parents never get anything sent home and seem to be in the dark about.

I think my kids started in second grade. But they are now out of college and that was before spellcheck.

which grade do FCPS students start spelling? Starting 3rd grade and we are yet to see a spelling sheet (or progress). Was this another one of those drill skills that are expected in the classroom based on independent work at home? It feels quite late to start.....