5Th Grade Spelling: List Too Hard for Me

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores participants' reactions to a challenging spelling list for 5th graders, with many expressing frustration over the difficulty of the words included. Participants share their personal experiences with the list and discuss the implications of such vocabulary on learning.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses that the spelling list seems excessive, noting unfamiliarity with several words.
  • Another participant mentions only recognizing one word, peristalsis, and associates it with medical terminology.
  • One participant provides definitions for the words, suggesting a familiarity with their meanings.
  • Several participants share their struggles with the list, indicating that it is too challenging for their children.
  • One participant recounts emailing the teacher to request a return to a more standard spelling list.
  • Another participant reflects on the disparity between current spelling lists and those from previous educational experiences.
  • Some participants discuss the importance of teaching proper usage and spelling, expressing concern over adults misusing words.
  • A participant shares a humorous poem about spelling, highlighting the challenges of relying on spell checkers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the appropriateness of the spelling list, with some expressing frustration and others acknowledging the challenge it presents. No clear consensus emerges on whether the list is suitable for 5th graders.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal anecdotes related to their children's education and their own experiences with vocabulary and spelling. The discussion reflects a mix of humor and concern regarding educational standards.

Who May Find This Useful

Parents and educators within the consultant community may find insights into the challenges of current spelling lists and the varying perspectives on vocabulary education.

I access with Firefox, so I have a built-in spellcheck. Of course, that doesn't work if I'm accessing from elsewhere.The Furry Guy, who is admittedly horrible at spelling and grammar, is constantly annoyed at our local paper for their gross errors in spelling and grammar. I tell him it's bad when he's correcting them. We've decided that they don't have proofreaders these days.
 
raebates said:
I often get into conversations with young people. I do my best to point out that "text language" is fine for texting. It's kind of like the slang that develops between good friends. It has its place. It just isn't appropriate on a college application, report, letter of introduction, etc.
I H8 TXT ON CS, U?
 
(I also hate it when CS fills in the words CS when you just type C & S.)
 
The words the fifth grader has can be beneficial depending on what the teacher has him doing. I teach fourth grade. There's a point when students don't need to spell just to spell. (Don't need rote tests). My students who are advanced are put on "Super Sentences" by Winebrenner. It is program that uses about 12 difficult, not common words, in a paragraph. Students must first use context clues to write the meaning. They then look the words up, write the correct definition, are aware what part of speech the word is, and how to pronounce the word. Students then take the words and write a paragraph, that has nothing to do with the original paragraph. They have to demonstrate comprehension of the words.This activity builds vocabulary. I have done this for years. The words get progressively harder, and yes many adults do not know what they mean. When the child points out the word later in a book their reading and connects it back to previous spelling words, I know I'm doing something good. Parents love it. I don't believe these kids should have to take weekly spelling tests. They need to advance and challenge themselves. Talk to the teacher and ask what activities he/she does with your child's words. I teach these kids the use of the thesaurus as well.For their, there and they're in the public schools: These are the most commonly misspelled words in the English written language. They need to be taught. Parents need to ask questions if they don't understand the reasons behind something. I have fourth graders doing 2nd grade words, because they need work on clusters they still don't understand. I let parents know why their children's list may appear simple, but in daily writing, their child is struggling.
 
Last edited:
lockhartkitchen said:
The words the fifth grader has can be beneficial depending on what the teacher has him doing. I teach fourth grade. There's a point when students don't need to spell just to spell. (Don't need rote tests). My students who are advanced are put on "Super Sentences" by Winebrenner. It is program that uses about 12 difficult, not common words, in a paragraph. Students must first use context clues to write the meaning. They then look the words up, write the correct definition, are aware what part of speech the word is, and how to pronounce the word. Students then take the words and write a paragraph, that has nothing to do with the original paragraph. They have to demonstrate comprehension of the words.

This activity builds vocabulary. I have done this for years. The words get progressively harder, and yes many adults do not know what they mean. When the child points out the word later in a book their reading and connects it back to previous spelling words, I know I'm doing something good. Parents love it. I don't believe these kids should have to take weekly spelling tests. They need to advance and challenge themselves. Talk to the teacher and ask what activities he/she does with your child's words. I teach these kids the use of the thesaurus as well.

For their, there and they're in the public schools: These are the most commonly misspelled words in the English written language. They need to be taught. Parents need to ask questions if they don't understand the reasons behind something. I have fourth graders doing 2nd grade words, because they need work on clusters they still don't understand. I let parents know why their children's list may appear simple, but in daily writing, their child is struggling.

We could have used a teacher or two like you!!! We've had some great teachers along with some real doozies! The teacher my daughter had in first grade thought all the kids should learn something before they moved on. So all the kids had to wait on one little girl (who didn't know her colors, numbers or even the alphabet. That was the year that my son was in 3rd grade. His teacher didn't appear to like boys! They had a program called accelerated reader where they read a book & took a test to see how well they comprehended what they read. Our son told her that some of the kids were using their books to take the test. He got in trouble for being a tattle-tail!
My daughter's 4th grade teacher was brand new. There were about 12 rowdy boys & only 4 girls in the class & she was not in control!
 

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