Tuesday, September 23, 2008

My daughter's spelling is no longer creative

Nosiree. According to Sophie's teacher at back-to-school night, the term by which we are to refer to her not-quite-ready-for-prime-time/several-short-of-a-six-pack spelling is transitional spelling. Alright then! No expert on parenting am I, but this makes sense to me. We wouldn't want to ever dissuade her from something creative, would we? (I know parents of teenagers are laughing at me right now. ) Transitional merely means she's on her way from spelling like a hillbilly to spelling like proper little pointy head.

But we are enjoying the hillbilly spelling, which we think is really a hoot. I mean it's funny to spell birds burds (like turds). Right??

Part of it though is how she talks. And we're still trying to figure that one out. Husband and I are both native Californians who speak without any regional accent. So why do we have a daughter who talks about having to git going in the morning. And in this sign to advertise the sale of her old trailer bike:



Tear where? Right hire.

We're taking the same approach we did with reading: When she's ready, she'll do it. [This brilliance is not mine but her K-1-2 teacher's. I started off most conferences with him noting "She's not reading yet! Time to call Sylvan Learning?" And when he would reply "Oh, no!" wheels would start spinning in my head about how we could spend the money we could now save on tutoring—say, more private ski lessons!]

And we'll certainly help her on her way. But in the meantime, we're laughing our asses off over stuff like this, which was a letter Sophie wrote to Husband in one of her "games," probably the pet grooming service she operates out of her room. Apparently Husband was late to pick up one of his dogs and she needed to place a call. And then send a registered letter.

Dear msdr [Figs]

Why dose no own ansur the phowne wane some own is home. Your phowne most be brokin it gost wonte stop ringin.

Love, Sophie

Kills me every time I read it. 

16 comments:

Trish said...

I am laughing/shaking my head right along with you! My daughter is constantly making signs like "Cum too tha peesa pardy!" or writing "the avedrs of poly pupy." I feel so smart when I figure out what she's saying!

I have to remind myself not to squelch the creativity.

preppy little dress AKA "PLD" said...

oh my, too cute!

Unknown said...

I love it! Sounds like Sophie and SS#1 share the same bent toward "transitional" spelling. One of my favorite "mom treasures" is a note he wrote for me in first grade that tells me I'm the "gradis mom in the unuvrs". :)

KK said...

I love it - wonte stop ringin! It's like she's mixing an Italian accent with a twang. :)

sabi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
sabi said...

who was that stoopid teacher, it will all come in time...ahem...not without being taught it won't...buy him a clue woodja?

Cindy said...

But you know we think he's a genius! Instead of a clue, we bought him a potato bell from the Idaho Potato Museum. For ringing to invoke fairies and magic. And reading. Which it did, along with his teaching, our teaching, and her readiness.

That reading did come--right there sitting on the toilet one morning when she shrieked "Mama! I can READ!" And you know, her skiing's look damn good.

All in good time. We've got ages until the SATs.

gwendomama said...

Can't.
Stop.
Laughing.

Anonymous said...

Too cute!

Midge said...

That is great!

Time will fix her spelling. I was a terrible speller as a child. My grandparents used to send me spelling books after I would send them letters with spelling similar to Sophie's. Consequently I stopped writing them and now I am always second guessing my spelling.

The Mrs. said...

That is so darn cute! It's so easy t panic over everything when you feel they are "behind". I think it's great you are enjoying her transitions!!!

Jackie said...

So fanee :)

Jennifer S said...

Laughing really hard hire.

:-)

My daughter is on the tail end (we hope?) of transitional spelling. You should see how she spelled disgusting the other day. I'm so saving that piece of paper.

Monica said...

My daughter has the same "problem." I figure she'll get there eventually; she's a good reader and spelling please "pleze" isn't going to ruin her chances of going to college.

Steve said...

Did her teacher happen to formally work in northern Vermont? I have a class of accelerated freshmen who are positively brilliant (ex. discussing and analyzing Paradise Lost, and doing it well) but who cannot spell to save their lives. DH is experiencing the same thing with his AP juniors. Absolutely maddening.

Anonymous said...

Ooops. DH was still logged on - above comment was mine! :-)