Guest vhosack Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 HI! I have a first grader who is failing his spelling tests in public school because of his b/d letter reversals. As a first grade teacher myself, I do not count off for any reversals, but show the correct spelling. I know this is common for children his age. I want to challenge this grading policy, but can't come up with official research on this subject. Can someone point me in the right direction. Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristyND Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 :) interested in replies also, as I have a child with b/d reversals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RahRah Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 :bigear: My six year old DS is a b/d reverser too, so I've been wondering recently if it's age or something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koerarmoca Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 my dd is 5 and does this as well, as well as writing many letters/numbers backwards. I think its totally age appropriate and that the grading policy is unfair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenlaw31 Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 My 7 yr old still does it every once in a while. I don't think that is right either to mark it wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn in OH Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 I marked a word wrong on a Spelling test on Friday for a letter reversal. Was I wrong? I just figured the child was 8 1/2 and I've given a dozen examples of ways to know a d from a b. For the record, I felt bad doing it. I don't think it should be marked wrong in First Grade though. I would talk to the teacher about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 If I remember correctly, Wanda Sanseri says to mark an answer wrong in SWR as well, if a dot is missing from an -i- or a -t- is missing it's line, or a letter reversal. :glare: I threw THAT one out immediately! What a crock! My oldest dd grew out of it when she became fluent in cursive which was about age 6. When all of my dds use cursive, they do not reverse letters. It seems to happen only using print, and unless there's an LD, usually corrects itself by 3rd-4th grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2J112903 Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 If a child is consenstintly (forgive my spelling-my eyes are tired) after age 7yrs, it needs to be adressed. This per everything I have read and what our OTs have also stated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 I think it's unfortunate that b/d reversals are given the emotional status of "test" and "grade." :glare: Honestly, I think 1st grade is the time to address this, but getting a 6/7yo worked up over a spelling test is counter-productive. I've got an 8yo who still struggles with reversals. The *only* thing that works for him is for me to stand over him while he's writing and give him handwriting cues when I see his pencil moving in the wrong direction. (Writing in cursive helps GREATLY btw!) Some kids *know* the tricks for remembering b/d, but they don't work b/c there is a visual processing problem...and they don't know if they are really looking at a b or thier eye is just seeing a b...and writing them, well...it's a 50/50 chance.:tongue_smilie: Whatever the underlying problem (which could simply be immaturity), I cannot see how these spelling tests will help fix the problem.:confused: (unless the teacher's purpose was to put pressure on the parents via stressing out the kids:glare:) One teacher cannot stand over the shoulder of every child, after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 We have a lot of reversals going on. I've read that it is common up till even 3rd grade. We work on it. Point it out. Does it matter whether is is marked wrong or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristyND Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Some kids *know* the tricks for remembering b/d, but they don't work b/c there is a visual processing problem...and they don't know if they are really looking at a b or thier eye is just seeing a b...and writing them, well...it's a 50/50 chance.:tongue_smilie: Would there be any other indicators of a visual disorder besides b/d reversals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Would there be any other indicators of a visual disorder besides b/d reversals? You might try this list http://www.covd.org/Home/AboutVisionLearning/SymptomsChecklist/tabid/114/Default.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristyND Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 You might try this list http://www.covd.org/Home/AboutVisionLearning/SymptomsChecklist/tabid/114/Default.aspx Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 There are some references here on letter reversals. Here's an excerpt: The greatest effect on this study was related to age. There was a sharp drop observed among the typically developing children in letter reversals between the ages of 7 and 8. In first grade, I would discuss the reversal with the child but not mark the entire word incorrect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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