Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do.
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Do you know any children who struggle with spelling? I do. I also make spelling errors.
Spelling can be confusing if we are logic smart because we think spelling “rules” should work. And, we think one combination of letters should have one sound. Right? Of course. That makes sense!
Why don’t break and freak rhyme? Horse and worse? Cord and word? Cow and low? What about comb, tomb, and bomb? Doll and roll? Home and some? Paid and said? (Pay and say rhyme!)
The English language is confusing so mistakes will be made. It’s not necessarily because children are not smart. It might be because of the way they are smart.
The bandage can be wound around the wound.
The farmer wants to produce produce.
You can refuse more refuse.
The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
Really??!!
When I taught second graders, we had a good time the first day it snowed. We learned about all kinds of things snow related and I often included lessons on compound words. But they’re confusing, too.
These are compound words: snowplow, snowmobile, snowstorm, snowbird, snowball, snowman, snowdrift, snowfall, snowbound, snowflake, and snowshoe.
These are not compound words: snow fort, snow shovel, and snow flurry.
There are disagreements about these two. Some sources spell them as compounds and some don’t: snow blower and snow bank.
Can anyone explain this to me? Anyone?
gives me a whole new persepctive on my daughter. thank you!
Deb,
I’m so glad this was insightful in regards to your daughter. Great!
When we watched a NEST video on Pocahontas a while ago, Pocahontas was trying to learn to read in English. And after much frustration with the very types of irregularities you mention, she threw up her hands and said, “English needs to be fixed!” :^)
Tina,
I love that and I sure agree! Thanks for sharing.