I'm confused... vent

[jessiehannan]

DD has to retake her spelling test because when she was writing her sentence, she turn the D backwards on dad. Dad was capitilized, so she didn't write bad instead. Dad wasn't even one of the spelling words for this week! It is on next weeks test.
She spelled all of her spelling words correctly, but she has to retake the whole test.
Writing letters and numbers backwards ocassionaly is normal at 6. It irks me. Writing a letter incorrectly is NOT failing a spelling test. I left a message for the teacher, because she will NOT be taking the test again.
I can't wait to be done with this sub and have her regular teacher back!

(I don't dislike all subs, I just don't like this one. )

[3girls2luv]

DD 2 would always write letters backwards and all her teachers said it was normal. I do not think she should have to take the entire test over, that is rediculous. She missed one word and that word should be corrected. Do all the kids who only missed one word have to retake the test?

[jessiehannan]

I don't know. What gets me that it isn't even one of this weeks spelling words.

[3girls2luv]

If it was not on this weeks list then you really do need to have a talk with the teacher.

[Still_Tbog]

That is kind of extreme. I could see not giving credit for that word, but to retake the whole test is too much.

[3girls2luv]

That is kind of extreme. I could see not giving credit for that word, but to retake the whole test is too much.


I agree.

[HammBugga]

So she was writing a sentence with her spelling word in it and "Dad" wasn't even the word? Yeah, that is not right.

[Teresa64]

Take the test into the principal...tomorrow first thing.

[TuetonicWillow]

I totally disagree. I find no fault in consistently correcting grammatical errors on any school work. In fact, I'm a fan of it.

[BoobySnacks]

I would also talk to the teacher or the principal. Some teachers can be so extreme, especially if they are new at it. Good luck in the morning!

[jessiehannan]

My BIL is coming to pick me up, and I am going to go talk to the teacher. If I don't like her answer then I will go to the principal. I am still very unhappy about this. I am one pissed off momma right now.
I really think that it is stupid shit like this that makes kids drop out in high school. It all just culminates and drives them out of school.

[TuetonicWillow]

You think having to re-write a test on which she was wrong (at the age of 6) is why kids drop out of school?

I think it's because mom and dad always defend them and make them believe they can do no wrong.

[JustMoi]

I totally disagree. I find no fault in consistently correcting grammatical errors on any school work. In fact, I'm a fan of it.


I completely agree. If it's wrong, it's WRONG. Doesn't matter if it's the specific spelling word or not. Making her do it over will reinforce the fact that she needs to do it correctly next time - and I bet she won't forget the lesson.

[Teresa64]

I could see it being corrected. I could see her not getting credit for that word. I could even see her being sent home an extra worksheet to correct the problem. But singling her out in class and forcing her to retake a test. A little harsh.

[jessiehannan]

I totally disagree. I find no fault in consistently correcting grammatical errors on any school work. In fact, I'm a fan of it.
If it was grammar or puncuation, ok, but this was a handwriting mistake, one that is very common in her age group. Her grammar and punctuation were perfect. What I am upset about is that she has to take the whole test all over again, because she flipped one letter, when the teacher doesn't mark down for flipped numbers on math work.

[cc1003]

I totally disagree. I find no fault in consistently correcting grammatical errors on any school work. In fact, I'm a fan of it.


I have absolutely no problem with correcting grammar. Writing a letter backwards isn't a grammatical error though. It is incorrect and should be corrected but IMO it is ridiculous for her to have to retake the test, especially at age six.

[Teresa64]

Also for the record...having to rewrite a test at home is a lot less embarrassing then having to rewrite a test at school in front of her peers. I was a very shy child and something like that would have bothered me to no end.

I still remember the 2 times I go my name on the board. Once in Kindergarten and once in 2nd grade. Horrifying for me!!!

[jessiehannan]

You think having to re-write a test on which she was wrong (at the age of 6) is why kids drop out of school?

I think it's because mom and dad always defend them and make them believe they can do no wrong.

No, I think that teachers focusing on one child to correct a simple thing like a flipped letter, instead of spending more time on the kids who actually need help with mastering the subject, is the beginning of it.

It would be one thing if it was a spelling, grammar, punctuation and handwriting test, but it wasn't. I was told to review the spelling words with her, and that they would just have to write them down, spelled correctly. She did exactly that, like the directions in her take home folder said to.

[dewoman81]

For her age, I think writing Dad 5 or so times correctly would be a way for you to practice.

However, if the skill of spelling dad is not what is being tested, then the retake is bogus. Test taking is only to show who mastered the skill and who did not. If she spelled every word correctly, then that is what the test was proving. That teacher is violating every bit of pedagogy that she/he should have learned in college. I feel that that is a unwarranted punishment and has no educational value.

Please bring it to the attention of the teacher first, then to the principal if she doesnt explain herself in a way that makes you feel better. Since she is a substitute, I would think she would listen to a parent and you shouldnt have to go over her head.

[jessiehannan]

I am going to talk to the teacher first. The principal has more important things to deal with, if I can resolve it myself.

[Tweet]

I think it's great to point out how to write the word correctly. A notation of that would have been enough for my 6 year old. Retaking a whole test for a word that wasn't on the spelling list seems OTT to me, too. I can see retaking it for a word on the list.

That being said, I think it's not a good idea to just insist she won't be taking the test. To me, the kids do what the teacher says when it comes to homework and test assignments. That's how she wants to run her class. <shrug> DD1's teacher does all kinds of things *I* wouldn't likely do, but it's her classroom. If she thinks that will help your dd learn, then she does.

[jessiehannan]

I think it's great to point out how to write the word correctly. A notation of that would have been enough for my 6 year old. Retaking a whole test for a word that wasn't on the spelling list seems OTT to me, too. I can see retaking it for a word on the list.

That being said, I think it's not a good idea to just insist she won't be taking the test. To me, the kids do what the teacher says when it comes to homework and test assignments. That's how she wants to run her class. <shrug> DD1's teacher does all kinds of things *I* wouldn't likely do, but it's her classroom. If she thinks that will help your dd learn, then she does.
If she was consistent about correcting it, maybe. But she lets it slide for math and other things.

[jessiehannan]

Well, the teacher called back, and DD isn't the only one who has to retake the test. The whole class does, because not a single one of the 18 kids got everything perfect. I don't know if I am happy about that or not.
She also said that DD wrote it wrong the first time, erased it, and wrote it wrong again.
The teacher also made a point of calling me back AFTER the test was taken again, and after school had been let out.

[vulturemom]

I totally disagree. I find no fault in consistently correcting grammatical errors on any school work. In fact, I'm a fan of it.
While I agree with this. I think asking her to erase the D and having her fix it is enough. Retaking the whole test is way over the top.
Your DD is only in first grade isn't she jessiehannan?

[jessiehannan]

While I agree with this. I think asking her to erase the D and having her fix it is enough. Retaking the whole test is way over the top.
Your DD is only in first grade isn't she jessiehannan?

Yes she is, and this is their first spelling test.

[vulturemom]

Well, the teacher called back, and DD isn't the only one who has to retake the test. The whole class does, because not a single one of the 18 kids got everything perfect. I don't know if I am happy

Wow! My DD just got 90% on a test and thought she was doing good. I will have to tell her it is bad unless every thing is perfect and she needs to go in and retake it.

[jessiehannan]

It is ridiculous what they expect from kids now.

[KerryS]

I have absolutely no problem with correcting grammar. Writing a letter backwards isn't a grammatical error though. It is incorrect and should be corrected but IMO it is ridiculous for her to have to retake the test, especially at age six.


I agree with this.