Solving Problem in Spelling

I sometimes found difficulties in teaching Ian how to spell words for his language art lesson although I know I shouldn't since he's only on 1st grade. He said to me once, "It's ok with my teacher Ma. She said I did a good job, only have to study a little bit harder in spelling. Just a little bit! "
haha...that's the point!

Yesterday he has to memorize the words 'pretzel' and 'teasing'. Just on our way to school this morning I found a silly way to memorize it. I don't know if it's good or not for a kid to learn, but I found he could laugh a lot and could spell it right, not forget again. I also love this quickie way of memorizing.

This is what I've done..
For 'pretzel' I compared the begining sound of 'pretzel' to sound of his farted 'prettt..'
This made him laugh out loud at the car. He said "I know how to write it, easy peasy Ma.."

For the other word 'teasing' I remind him how he loves our teatime together at the afternoon.
While we having our tea we can also hear our heart 'sing' happily. Just mix the 2 of them, 'tea' and 'sing'.
you know what..it works!
I don't care if it's a 'silly method' or not for learning as long as he feel happy to learn words and memorize easily :)

From 'AUNT' to 'ANUT' then ended to 'ALIEN'

I found often that every time I almost lost my patience when accompany Ian to learn how to spell or write, there's something funny happened and made me laugh. His innocent made this happened. Our main purpose would substitute with something else.
This was our conversation this Saturday morning when we were learning how to make a family tree picture and write down the words under every picture. He always write 'aunt' with mistake spelling 'anut'.

Me: "Ian...gosh, how come you write this 'anut' over and over again? The right spelling is A-U-N-T, Ian...."
Ian: (silent)
Me: "You know what, if you write like that it will sound like an alien's name..."

I tried to make a joke, so he won't be sad or at least want to write again.

Ian: "Hah? Alien? Really, is there an alien who have name like that?"
He became curious with his 'funny' facial expression.
Well, you can guess.. after that we won't talk again about the "AUNT" thing, but "ALIEN".
Wrong strategy from me, haha...maybe that's why he can't spelling other words either.
Often our 'talking' spread everywhere, but it's fun and we enjoy it. Ah, forget about "AUNT".

Mistake Spelling

click pic for a better view

At first when I saw his writing in this way couple of times, I started to worry because there are so many mistake spelling. I've tried to teach him to write in right spelling, but fail.
Finally I came to his teacher and asked one of my friend -Rachel- in blogland (she's a montessori teacher)and these are their answer..

I shouldn't have worried too much about spelling in first grade as long as I can tell that my son is trying to "sound out" the words and as long as he is working on his reading.
It's very normal when 1st grade kids are guessing the spelling by using the sounds in the spoken word to figure it out on their own. This is a great way to start writing and will improve as children practice. I have found that as a child practices and improves their reading skills, the spelling will also improve because they are seeing words over and over again and figuring out tricky spelling rules on their own. At this age children really do absorb all the knowledge around them!

Well, just enjoy your first grade Ian. I don't need to worry at all from now on.