Dan Triplett On (08 Sep 96) was overheard to say to Charles Beams
 DT> I don't think the traditional method of teaching spelling has the best
 DT> track record either.  In fact, the method I grew up with (and the one
 DT> you learned in school) is not supported by research data.  Yet the
 DT> practice continues.  I am left to wonder why.
 Perhaps because it works..?
 The variance in ability to spell correctly I've seen in my own 3 is
 ridiculously apparent.  The eldest (who attended mainly DOD schools
 until high school) has little difficulty with spelling, the middle
 child got caught up in all the fads that afflicted public education
 in the 80's.  The youngest had whole language with creative spelling
 inflicted on him beginning in Kindergarten.  He's now in 3rd grade
 after repeating 1st because he wasn't able to make the leap from the
 nonsense of K to the reading & writing requirements of 1st.  He gets a
 lot of plain old fashioned drill and practice at home.
 FWIW none, not a single one, of the first grade teachers I know think
 that creative spelling is worth a hoot.  I agree with them.
... Speaking for myself, and I am unanimous in this
--- PPoint 2.00
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