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DD is good at spelling, good at dictation, but when it comes to actual word meanings, every day or otherwise, she doesn't understand them. But it confuses me because she reads like crazy and can narrate back any story. But she won't know what a lot of words mean on their own.

I use BJU spelling and have used R&S Spelling in the past, but we don't use the lists as "spelling" per se. We use them as "word work". And we had to begin this for the reason that there's many she doesn't understand. So to insert words into paragraphs or just know meanings, I'm not understanding why if she's good at everything else.

Is this natural ? Perphaps is a lack of "classroom discussion" sort of thing. To me it's so odd. Anyone else have this problem?

Can she use the words correctly in a sentence?

catbeth wrote:Can she use the words correctly in a sentence?

That would be the main thing.


My oldest asks me what things are all the time. I can't put it in to words, but I understand what is meant by it and can use it myself. I just can't explain it.

catbeth wrote:Can she use the words correctly in a sentence?

Yes. But if I say something or am teaching a concept, she'll not know what I'm talking about and I can be using simple words. I don't know if it's an age thing or if it's a learning thing.

I'd say that being able to use a word in a sentence of her own, and being able to understand a word within her own reading, are actually higher level skills than being able to isolate a word and give its definition dictionary-style. In truth, her being able to tell you what it means within narration or within her own reading is the ultimate goal. Maybe instead of asking her what a word means, use the word in a sentence, or have her find it in her book. She'll probably make the connection then - she's a smart cookie. The vocab activities in the back of DITHOR would be good to intersperse now and then too. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

I'll give using it in a sentence a try. There just seems to be so many she doesn't know, but can narrate and read like crazy. Like today, she didn't know what "past" meant. Like in past tense of a verb. Wierd to me.