Kid uses unusal spelling for names in narratives & stories - teacher objects

Question

When my 8 yr old was in 2nd grade, she was very good at writing narratives or stories like "My Best Friend", "My Vacation". Goo grammar, very imaginative, good sentences, details and vocabulary easily couple of grades higher. Teacher said so too.

But, my kid likes to use unusual spelling for names in her stories. She knows the usual spelling, but chooses unusual spelling. Like Sindee(Cindi), Julien(Julian), Gorrge (George), Roburt(Robert). The teacher always marked these as errors, and insisted she use the usual spelling. that was kind of harsh since there was usually nothing else the story lacked or needed.

I spoke to her, and told her my kid is a voracious reader, and knows usual spellings of names. And since these are imaginary characters in a story my kid is creating, any spelling is OK. Teacher disagreed and continued to mark unusually spelled names as wrong.

I know teachers are busy and have 20 -30 kids to teach and I generally do not interfere in their approach. But this bothers me. If it happens again next year, should I email/talk to the teacher or just tell my kid to use the usual spellings for names of imaginary characters?

Answer 1

I am a teacher and I agree with you.  I teach 7th grade and it is possible that this teacher wants to make sure your child knows the conventional spellings of names, but i would think she would just discuss it with the child to make sure they know, not mark it as wrong.  A parent can spelll a child's name however they want to there is no wrong or right.  I would say go to the principal but this doesn't seem like that urgent of a matter.  I would tell the teacher that you respect what they're trying to do but you know that your child knows how to spell these names because you've worked on them together and that you support your child's creativity and encourage her to spell the names how she wants and would appreciate it if she was not docked credit for that.  If it was said in a respectful tone, i know I would easily honor that request.

Answer 2

I agree with you!  Your daughter's creativity in naming her characters is her right and should be encouraged!  Does the teacher get angry at students who don't have the usual spelling of a name.  As parents we can spell our children's names any way we want and as the writer she is like a parent and can spell names any way she wants!  I would talk to the teacher if the problem persists!  It is not right for them to stunt creativity in that way!  (Other spelling is fine to correct, just not names!)

Answer 3

I agree with you, but I think there are things worth arguing about with a teacher and things you might as well drop.  I'd tell your daughter to put a footnote in her first story the first time she uses an unconventional spelling for a name in a fictional story and say that she does know the conventional spelling but likes to use unusual spellings for names in fictional stories.  If the teacher objects (which would be odd), then tell her to follow the classroom rules and she could change it in a later version at home.

If it's non-fiction (as "my best friend" or "my vacation" implies), then make sure your daughter knows that she should use the correct spelling.

Answer 4

A childs imagination should be encouraged and applauded.Under these circumstances I would probably tell the teacher again how I felt and point out to her that you are not happy with her decision and that in your household you reccommend and approve your childs imagination and you do not appreciate her negativity. After that I would tell your daughter that you more then love her stories and the names she uses but sometimes there are people that are, (whats the word), by the book so continue to encourage her using these names but if she would  in parenthesis put the grammar that is asked at school  .That way everyone wins. Your child is using her imagination at the same time doing the grammar by the book so to speak.It probably upsets you more then your daughter and I dont blame you. Just as long as your little girl is happy that is all that really matters. God bless you and your family.  

Answer 5

I think this is another example of society cubby-holing kids and squelching creativity.

I'm a writer and believe strongly in creative license.

People who look at modern art don't understand those squiggly lines and stuff, they think they could do it too. Well, those artists have usually paid their dues and mastered traditional forms of artisitc expression.

What I'm saying is, your child's imagination is precious. I totally disagree with the teacher, yet I understand that she's concerned that your child master the traditional form, know what I mean?

I'd encourage your child to write MORE- some stories at home, however she wants, and some for school, rigidly and horribly structured!

It's a good lesson to learn about flexibility and working within guidelines but still expressing yourself.

good luck.

Answer 6

If she's talking about a real best friend then she should spell the name how her friend actually spells it. "My Best Friend" sounds to me like it shouldn't be an imaginary person.

If it's fiction, then I don't have an issue with unusual spellings - but as she gets older it's going to be seen as poor understanding of the world around her if she gives _all_ her characters oddly spelt names. If she's that good of a story writer (and I really do find it hard to believe that any eight year old is writing stories that cannot be improved), then the teacher is right to point out that this is something she needs to think about. Perhaps you should suggest to your daughter that she looks at how characters in the books she reads are named. Some will have downright odd names, some will have "normal" names with odd spellings - but most will be ordinary names with ordinary spellings. Stories are more or less plausible based on how they are written. If every character in your daughter's stories has a name with a silly spelling, her stories are less plausible because of it.

Answer 7

i agree with you! i think she was just stcking and being ol fashioned im sure this next teacher will think differently

Answer 8

Since a new school year is about to begin, I recommend you speak to your daughter's new teacher and explain what happened last year. Bring it to her/his attention ahead of time that your daughter prefers to use unusual spellings for names of her characters. Their reaction should tell you whether or not you should ask your daughter to use traditional spelling for names in her school stories. Good luck and I hope this helps!

Answer 9

Oh, dear.

This was the kind of nonsense that helped us make the decision to homeschool.