I don't get it

Yesterday Elliott asked me how to spell a word for a homework assignment. I said the first automatic/idiotic thing that came to mind: "Go look it up in the dictionary". He gave me the inevitable answer: "How can I look it up if I can't spell it?" He's right.

Parents and teachers for eons have been using that "look it up in the dictionary" gambit when it comes to spelling. Why? It makes absolutely no sense. So I told my handsome son how to spell the word and we both went on with our lives. Take that teachers of the world. Nyah.

kxx