Expert: Debba Robinson - 5/5/2005

Question
Hi Debba,

Is there such a thing as a spelling teacher nowadays?  It's been a loooong time since I've been in elementary school.  I'm currently studying to get my BA in Teaching and I would love to teach spelling to elementary students, but I'm pretty sure it's all in one subject along with English now right?

thanks!

Answer
Kelli,

In my experience over the last 30 years, teachers have incorporated spelling into all aspects of learning.  We encourage invented spelling during writing so children will not be hung up on spelling correctly and they can focus on content.  I often used the words they misspelled and then taught them how to spell them.  But some schools still use a spelling book and you can teach spelling as a subject all its own, although most reading/language arts programs also integrate spelling into their line-up.

Since you are in a program now, I think that question is best asked of your instructors and, when you are student teaching, the other teachers in your building.  With the No Child requirements, I'm not sure how these things have changed.  I have not taught in the US since 1990 so it's been quite some time since I had to worry about US regulations.

I hope this is helpful.

Debba