We avoided the inevitable long enough because we know the cost, and we know two years can turn into four years or even eight years. But, this morning I faced the inevitable when I took child number five for his orthodontist consult. And, I got the reaction I expected from this new orthodontist. Yes, my kids have some pretty messed up teeth. As I was driving, I was thinking again about how for a little more than 12 years I gave all my money to the OBGYNs, and during the past 12 years I have given it all to orthodontists. How did we get so lucky? I know there are far more worse things to deal with than expensive orthodontics. I am aware. I’m not complaining, but I’m beginning to seriously think one of my kids should become an OBGYN or an orthodontist. These are surely lucrative fields.
I was also wondering again to myself how it is that I was blessed with perfectly straight teeth, and not one of my children got them? My kids have had every kind of need for teeth correction known to mankind. I wrote about it [HERE]. Clearly, genetics has to be a factor, especially regarding the missing teeth saga. Even though I have never had a need for braces, rumor has it that my dad had a missing tooth. So, chances are they inherited this from my side of the family. Hrmph!
But, it turns out the need for orthodontics is not the only unfavorable gene all my kids have had the misfortune to inherit. As luck would have it, they have all inherited a whole mixed bag of less than desirable genes from both sides of the family. Again, not complaining….just saying. We assume the missing teeth gene came from my side. And there is one disadvantageous gene we can unscientifically confirm came from the other side. What I am referring to is what we call “The Spelling Curse”. The majority of offspring from one branch of the family tree cannot spell to save their lives. I know there are worse things in life. Yes, I know this to be true. But this Spelling Curse is quite a challenge to all those who are born with it and struggle through school and life with it. Equally, it becomes a frustration for those of us who automatically become human dictionaries for every person in the home. It’s especially difficult to teach spelling to children born with this innate curse. So, so difficult.
You see….these kids can’t just learn spelling. They try, but somehow they cannot get the right letters to transition from their brains to their pencils and onto paper. I once saw a children’t show where there were ganders spelling, and they would spell like this: “D-double I-double U-double R….” Nothing made sense. When I saw that, I thought, ‘My kids spell like ganders.’ And they did. Throughout all his homeschooling years, no matter how many times my oldest (my genius in math and science kid) would try to write the word “Final” at the top of his paper when he would take a “Final” spelling test, he inevitably wrote “F-A-N-I-L”. So, of course, to this day, I always tell my children to get a paper and write “FANIL” at the top when they are taking a spelling final. Surely, this is not very helpful to them, I know. That’s the kind of mom I am.
But, seriously, after a few years of failed spelling test after failed spelling test and watching them continuously spell like a bunch of ganders; I knew I had to find a better way to teach them spelling. I knew that if they couldn’t learn to spell, it would hold them back in so many areas of school, work and life. I searched high and low to find a teaching method that would make spellers out of them, yet. Their future spouses can thank me later.
What I initially began using as spelling curriculum for my children was the Spelling Workout books. While I’m sure this curriculum is effective for most children, it wasn’t working for my spelling-challenged children…..at least not by itself. They needed something more or something different. And, what I finally found was The Phonetic Zoo from the Institute for Excellence in Writing. This phonics-based program uses auditory input to ensure that the correct spelling of each word is absorbed by the brain. The audio CDs allow students to work independently much of the time, while allowing for the repetition needed for mastery. This was exactly what we needed, and my children all embraced the program. They loved and still love that they get to do this on their own. While they will never win a Spelling B, they are now more confident spellers; and I believe it has made a difference on so many levels. What my children may or may not know is that the name of this program really is The Phonetic Zoo: Excellence in Spelling because we have always referred to it as “All Words”. The program uses CDs with much repetition. The first words they always hear on every lesson, and in between words on the lesson are, “All words follow the rule”. The speaker says this every time he repeats the spelling rule for the lesson. When my daughter recently passed the first lesson after only six tries, I was reminded of the hope and excitement this program offers my children. I am so glad I found it. But, what about those Spelling Workout books which I had already purchased? ….all of them….I purchased books for all the kids even before they were ready for them. Yeah, that’s a little OCD, I know. What about those? My lucky children get to complete those too. Double spelling lessons for everyone! Why? Because that’s the kind of mom I am!
What About Socialization? 