Could Teddy Roosevelt Spell? Back to main Lesson Planning article Subject: History, Language Arts Grade: 6-8, 9-12

Brief Description

Students stage debates about English spelling vs. simplified spelling.

Objectives

Students extend their knowledge of U.S. history as they explore the controversy about simplified spelling.

Keywords

spelling, simplified spelling, debate, U.S. history, Teddy Roosevelt

Materials Needed

• list of rules for English spelling, such as Basic Spelling Rules or Rules for English Spelling
• online or print resources about the simplified spelling controversy, such as Spelling and Pictures by Mark Twain, The Simplified Spelling Society, English Simplified Spelling, Carnegie Assaults The Spelling Book, and T.R. vs. the Dictionary

Lesson Plan

• Provide students with a list of rules for English spelling, such as Basic Spelling Rules or Rules for English Spelling. Review the rules with students and brainstorm any additional spelling rules they know.
• Ask: Do you think English spelling is too hard? Why or why not?
• Organize students into an even number of teams, and explain that they are going to debate whether to replace English spelling with simplified spelling. Assign each team a pro or con position and an opposing team.
• As they prepare their arguments, encourage the teams to explore print and/or online resources on the controversy about simplified spelling that took place early in the 20th century. Tell students to be sure to include examples of words from the class spelling list in their arguments.
• After they complete the debates, have students vote on the results.

Assessment

Evaluate students on the extent of their research and the accuracy of the arguments they make during the debates.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Linda Starr

National Standards

Language Arts:
  NL-ENG.K-12.1
  NL-ENG.K-12.3
  NL-ENG.K-12.4
  NL-ENG.K-12.5
  NL-ENG.K-12.6
  NL-ENG.K-12.7
  NL-ENG.K-12.8
  NL-ENG.K-12.11

Social Sciences:
  NSS-USH.5-12.7