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My Thoughts On Spelling

"What?  A spelling test?  This is a MATH class!" is a common refrain from my students. 
Here are some reasons why I have spelling tests in my classes:

1.  Spelling is important.  I know, I know, we have spell check and other electronic helps, but let's train the mind, shall we?  Let's have some basic skills, like the addition and multiplication tables, already in firm grasp so that the mind can take on harder challenges.  Without a good base of skills, both in word form and number form, students flounder at solving complex tasks, like solving equations or writing a good essay.

2.  It helps build vocabulary.  Words are important, and although math is important, reading and writing is the number one goal of education.  You have to be able to read and write in society.  The more you see the word and understand it in context, the more you will use it in your vocabulary.  I've thought about including definitions, but I haven't gone that far yet.

3.  Why not just point out the misspellings on their paper?  Why have a test?  I have circled and/or correctly spelled many words on students' papers, but that doesn't quite get their attention the way a quiz/test does.

4.  It's an easy grade.  Students should rejoice about spelling quizzes!  There is no question about what questions will be on the test.  Students know EXACTLY what words will be on the test, all they have to do is study them!  The key would be PRACTICE.

5.  Spelling tests are only a small part of the overall grade, probably less than 5% of a quarter grade come from spelling tests.  It's really not that big of deal.

6.  Some students struggle with numbers and shapes, but are very proficient with words.  This is one area they can have some success at!

7.  Let's be precise.  It matters where you put a decimal point in a number and it matters how a word is spelled.  Employers look for well-educated employees, and the vocabulary/spelling they use reveals a lot.  Google has taken away a lot of these issues, because even if you misspell words, it will give you hints/suggestions.  Do you realize that if you are off one letter on a web-site address, the search engine probably won't find it!

8. Computer programming.  If you are a computer programmer, you'll know what I mean.  If you are off one letter (or symbol) on your code, the program won't work!