Jan 31, 2007

Spelling/Writing Connection

I’m horrified. Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with the educational community, first as a teacher, an Education Reporter, a District PR Representative and most recently, serving on the site council of an excellent school; and yet, I’m still horrified at the spelling and writing abilities of what are being touted, our brightest students!

There are times when your written word is a first impression – and I’m getting an impression: That graduating students of today have problems stringing more than two coherent words together.

Technology, on a whole, places road block after roadblock on basic communication skills. Yes, we can text message, email, phone, video message, etc. almost anyone in the world at any time. Cell phones have made sure we do not suffer a moment’s peace from “emergencies” at home and at work. Yet our children do not read and they do not spell.

Is there a connection? Just to add fuel to the fire – and my own personal frustration – even if students do read and write, their handwriting is illegible. I’ve had it! What, if any is the connection?

–I’m not sure, but I can assure you that in the coming days, I am going to research the problem further and report fully on the connection between writing and spelling, technology – and what we can do as parents to remedy the situation once and for all!