Spelling Test Secrets
Most people know, especially if you read “Motion Before Motivation, The Success Secret That Never Fails, my academic star did not shine too bright when I was a student.
Which is why I am really pleased about my two daughters’, Julia and Marissa’s, early display of academic excellence. Perhaps they have inherited both beauty and brains from their mother!
They are both doing awesome and I’m a really proud dad! Julia is in first grade now and it has been really fun watching her excel! For example… I have lost count, but I think she’s on a streak of about five or six 100′s in a row on her spelling tests. She’s probably totally aced all but three this year. Not too bad! And these aren’t cat and the tests. Recently she was tested on words like president and valentine.
So what’s her secret? Preparation really. And that’s the true take-away here.
In my humble, but accurate opinion (although I would not reveal this to Julia for many years) I don’t think spelling is that huge of a deal. With spell check and all. I’m proof. After all, my spelling skills suck and my first book became a bestseller on Amazon.
This is Not About Spelling, Pay Attention…
Something I learned in school early on was the idea of studying a little bit each day. The teacher explained how a little studying each day would help the material stick in your mind. You’d actually learn it! I feel bad I don’t remember the teacher who taught this simple, but profound, concept to me. Where you are and who ever you are…Thanks!!!
It works! Even though I did not apply this advice most of my academic life I did use it to maintain a 3.5 grade average for the brief time I was in college.
It works for everything you do! Do you have a speech to give? Do you have an important meeting? Whatever it is you can apply the “Study” (Prepare) a little each day concept and ace the big day when it comes.
The secret is to break it down.
What we do with Julia is go through the whole list on Monday. She ends up easily spelling about 75% to 80% of the words. But we’re not arrogant about it. Then, we mark the words where she needs more help and go through those one more time. Then each night we study we pay close attention to the challenging words. Eventually, she ends up confidently knowing how to spell all the words on the list.
The real take away for her is the lesson that preparation really pays off. The goal: Whether it’s spelling or something else she makes the connection between investing a little time and effort and feeling the reward of accomplishment. We can’t wait to let Marissa in on the secret once she gets in first grade.