"Emanciptation"

I love Kids' Week on Jeopardy.  Not only do I tend to make a lot of money (yes, I keep score) but those kids are just so darn cute.  During last week's tournament, my interest was piqued when spelling was called to the forefront.  The Final Jeopardy answer referred to the Emancipation Proclamation.  Thomas, a young man from Connecticut, spelled it "Emanciptation" and did not receive credit for a correct response.  According to my research, Jeopardy will accept a misspelled response if it does not change the pronunciation of the word.  As a Literary dork and Reading Specialist, I can tell you that Thomas' misspelling indeed changed the pronunciation. 

Spelling counts...especially on national TV.  (abcnews.com)

This child had so much to be proud of.  He had just accomplished an extraordinary feat!  One of the smartest eighth graders in the country, he did very well for himself (although let's be honest - no one had a shot against the $66,600 champ who, I'm quite sure, will run for President one day.)  But three days later, Thomas and his parents took to the media expressing their frustration and disappointment, going so far as to say he was "cheated."

Of course, many people will comment on his sore loser 'tude.  Though I agree and noticed the crossed arms and pouting face as the credits rolled, I thought of the adults in his life who didn't make the connection between this gifted, intelligent child and his spelling ability.  I felt sorry that he had to learn this lesson far too late, and with millions of people watching. 

Spelling counts.

Spelling is not the inverse of reading, as it is often described.  While some people can pick up perfect, conventional spelling from their daily reading habits - the best spellers are often avid readers - it is not always the case.  Spelling is a separate skill and most of us need to be explicitly taught - i before e except after c, change the y to i and add es, every syllable needs a vowel - and when enough people fail to recognize the importance of this skill, don't know how to teach it, or don't believe it should factor in to a "correct" response, spelling is easily devalued.

In the classroom, I have to work to get past that horrible bubble of guilt when I send a child back to fix spelling errors.  "Oh, but I know what she means..." is usually whining in the back of my head somewhere.  I tell my students spelling always counts and we either need to work to fix it or find a career where they will make enough money to hire a personal secretary.  (I've already had one student take me up on that offer, quickly doing the math in his head and hoping I'd be retired at some point.)  My students know that I correct them because I care.  I tell them we want people to notice their brilliant ideas, not their spelling.  I am also quick to admit that I am not a perfect speller; however, I appreciate the fact that it reflects on my professionalism and, when I am writing something that other people will see, I have at least one other colleague go over it.  Thankfully, Mary is right next door.

imaginationsoup.net

In addition to requiring correct spelling in my students' written responses, I've started snapping photos of publicly displayed spelling errors and projecting them on the board as a warm-up.  They love getting the chance to notice and correct other people's mistakes.  Once they have the chance to be "on the other side", they have a whole new air of confidence about them...and they start to focus on their spelling.

Here are a few examples I've brought to my classes:
Financial Advise (on a local morning news program)
Sharks: To Close for Comfort (same news broadcast)
Miniture candy bars (printed on a grocery store display)
Plumbing Isle (national home improvement store)
Avacado Season (national sandwich chain)
Town Mug's (local grocery store)
Testing Cite (public school)

There's growing concern that people who notice spelling errors - or heaven forbid, correct them - are overeducated, snobby, and elitist.  We don't want to correct people because it could hurt their feelings.

Well, ask Thomas.  I think it probably felt worse being corrected on national TV.  

Let us know what you think.  Should we "count" spelling when grading a written response?  Should we teach spelling or teach kids to use spell check? 

Erin
@allinoleary