In Grade 6, I took part in my first (and probably last) ever spelling bee. I remember travelling, by myself, to previously unknown parts of the Blue Route Mall in Tokai: up a flight of stairs to a white walled room with lots of chairs, not as many people and long table at the front of the room.
The competition itself was a blur - but yesterday it all came flooding back as we travelled home in the car and Jorja sat behind my seat saying,
"Spell hospital"
"Spell boat"
"Spell xylophone"
"Spell animal"
"Spell computer"
and then again
"Spell hospital"
"Spell boat"
"Spell xylophone"
"Spell animal"
"Spell computer"
...man! If those were the words in that competition 17 years ago, I would've been the Spelling Queen Bee!
Admittedly, when she started going for the 3rd round of the same words, I was beginning to doubt the correct spelling - but she was none the wiser yet. When she decided to start making up words, I called it quits because what is a con-skwa-pa anyway?!
As Jorja's knowledge of letter-forming, phonics and general vocabulary grows, I become more aware of my role as her parent - she is so excited to practice her new-found skills, like writing in the birthday card for our Uncle Neil in London. She was as proud as punch to have written it all herself, and all I could see at the time were the smudges from the wet ink.
Not cool on my part.
I have to be more patience with her - my reactions will help form her attitudes and I can't rely on too many hindsight incidents here..
Ethan may not be forming words yet, but he enjoys his own expression of art - specifically, blue toothpaste on the walls, cupboards, light switches and furniture. I'm allowed to be a little upset about that. Right? Right??!!
See below a previous piece of art, A-la-Septadine!
Now the excitement starts! She will want to write, spell and read everything. Fun!!!
ReplyDelete