11.10.2009

Wordsearches are not educational

I think that teachers who assign  difficult wordsearches as homework or class work should reevaluate their teaching styles.  I am sure by now, they should realize that not all students excel at them.  And really, they are a waste of time.  For someone who has difficulties spelling words, the "near words" on the puzzle are confusing.  And really, that is not way to learn a spelling word.  The time it takes to do a large difficult puzzle...is a just taking time away from more productive endeavors.  Furthermore, giving a grade for a wordsearch. is also ridiculous.

This is my space. I can write what I want. If you don't agree with me, don't comment. haha

7 comments:

Patti J said...

Hmmmm....tell us how you REALLY feel! Just kidding! I agree! What a waste of time!

Michelle VP said...

My kids had a few word searches for spelling in 2nd grade, but they were extremely easy. No "near words" at all. And they were not graded. Just checked off as done or not done. Sounds like what you're dealing with is over the top! :(

Great Grandma Lin said...

I agree.

Susan said...

I think your comment of 'near words' is very much on the mark for the poor kid who can't spell well. I do word searches and other puzzles because the one doctor told mom that bonpapa needed to do them to keep his mind sharp. I am always surprised at how often I'm ready to cross off a word found and then realize it's what you call, a 'near word'.

Searches are a great way to pass the time, but should not be considered for a grade.

Anonymous said...

My husband and I couldn't agree with you more. Word searches are not productive and a complete waste of time for our children. Their time would be better used writing each word five times, or having an oral practice test rather than gazing at a scramble of letters. I think part of the reason teachers use word searches is that there are many free sites out there where teachers can easily type in the spelling words and generate a word search. It makes for an instant easy worksheet. Word searches do not increase a child's ability to spell!!!!!!!
Michele

HollyCat said...

I agree...so I will comment! My children also had word searches last year and I found that I was the one doing them instead of Nathan. What was really great was when they would be in color! "Find the RED umbrella"...then they would have several UMBRELLA words...but you had to find the red one...NATHAN IS COLOR BLIND! Poor kid got a bad grade on just about all of those...and his teacher was to ignorant to give him something else to do instead. The bummer was when the teacher made him do the paper in class...it was a guarenteed F. Jerk.

Starla said...

Let's be honest. There is a lot of "busy" work assigned as homework that is just a waste of time! I understand that teacher's are looking for "quick" tools to help them reach their assignment goals...but seriously....some teachers need to do their "homework" and come up with better and more productive ideas!!