-- —
There once was a world without technology. Where children were taught how to write with a pencil and a piece of paper, how to read books printed on paper, how to spell using a dictionary as backup, and how to solve mathematical problems with nothing but fingers to count on as needed.
Today, hard-bound, printed dictionaries are difficult to find outside of libraries, old-fashioned ciphering has been replaced by calculators, books are on e-readers and handwriting is a dying art.
But some knowledge can never be replaced by technology, or at least it shouldn’t be. And it is essential that children are taught how to read, write, count and spell. Even though spell check automatically corrects misspelled words these days, it doesn’t replace common sense and knowledge, it doesn’t help if the word is spelled correctly but used incorrectly, or if the word is pronounced the same but spelled two different ways.
So when the opportunity to assist children who are spelling from memory, given words that would stymie many adults, arises, The Times is more than happy to participate.
The students at the Valdosta Early College Academy are there because they are dedicated to learning, as are the faculty, staff and those who assist them from VSU. They are motivated, expected to perform at a high level, and are given many opportunities to excel.
Holding spelling bees may seem like old-fashioned educational ideals from a bygone era, but the fact remains that students who can spell by either studying and learning the words or learning how to break words and sounds down phonetically will excel in life. The skills these children learn today will carry forward through their academic and professional careers.
Congratulations to the school for hosting their first-ever spelling bee, congratulations to the students for their eager participation and congratulations to their parents and grandparents who supported them by attending.
What We Think
A spelling lesson
- What We Think
-
-
Charity never tasted so good
For one night, you can indulge your sweet tooth while contributing to a worthy cause at the same time.
-
Historic day celebrated
On January 1, 1863, Pres. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, announcing that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious areas are and henceforth shall be free.
-
How this garden grew
A special-needs couple wanted a garden. A teacher not only wanted to teach gardening skills but she also wanted to instill a sense of community purpose within her young students.
-
Happy Father’s Day
He beamed with pride on our birth. He understood worry upon our birth. He is the giant by which we would judge all men. He protected us. He provided for us. He often sacrificed time with us to provide for us. He spent time with us.
-
Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To Stevie Young of Valdosta. The owner of Artistic Taxidermy, Young won Best in the World, Turkey, in the 2013 World Taxidermy Championship. His eastern wild turkey display dominated the competition, earning him the distinction of best in the world. Another title for TitleTown!
-
Canning preserves food, way of life
When the going gets tough, the tough getting canning. Valdosta-Lowndes County residents have this opportunity.
-
PSST!: Round Two!
With tonight’s opening of “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” Peach State Summer Theatre presents its second show of the 2013 season.
-
A responsible fix for pets
The photo and story in Sunday’s paper about the dog whose owners had left him tied up with an electrical cord elicited a tremendous response from readers, outraged at the dog’s treatment.
-
A band-aid in a crisis?
The announcement Monday by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities that a crisis stabilization center will be built in Lowndes County is good news for some, not so great for others.
-
Slowing down for summer
Twenty-some years ago, it seemed Valdosta and South Georgia slowed down for the summer. School was out. Controversies seemed to dwindle. People seemed to work shorter hours despite the longer days.
- More What We Think Headlines
-
Charity never tasted so good
