Hey Matt -- I'm a 1st grade teacher and we most certainly do teach handwriting. We also allow and encourage children to spell words phonetically in independent writing. That way they don't get hung up and stop writing to ask how to spell every word in their stories correctly. It frees them to express their thoughts in writing. The editing process follows up when/if the child is ready to "publish" a piece of writing for others in the class to read. Throughout the year as spelling words and high frequency words are introduced and practiced, these words become words we expect the children to spell correctly all the time. So, don't be afraid to go ahead an have a few kids! HA!
On The D.R. Adams Mail Project: The First Commission
Hey Matt -- I'm a 1st grade teacher and we most certainly do teach handwriting. We also allow and encourage children to spell words phonetically in independent writing. That way they don't get hung up and stop writing to ask how to spell every word in their stories correctly. It frees them to express their thoughts in writing. The editing process follows up when/if the child is ready to "publish" a piece of writing for others in the class to read. Throughout the year as spelling words and high frequency words are introduced and practiced, these words become words we expect the children to spell correctly all the time. So, don't be afraid to go ahead an have a few kids! HA!