Spelling

I've received two emails with inquiries about how I do Spelling in my classroom, so here's a post about it!  Back in 2012, I posted this about how I did Spelling.  Well, times have changed and there's just not time to give individual Spelling tests to all my kids.  Cut backs in staff have made me learn how to work smarter, not harder.  I'm really pleased with my current method.  It sets students up for success!  So here's how I do it now:

Each Monday, I introduce either a new word family or 1-2 new word parts/word chunks.  Throughout the week, we review it with a poem, games, worksheets, video clips, and more.  I use mostly the activities included in my packs and then supplement with dry erase slates.    On Mondays, I also send home a list of 10 Spelling words with my students.  The list consists of words that contain the word family or word part/word chunk we'll be studying throughout the week.  This ensures that the students are seeing the words at home and at school.  I do differentiate in 3 ways--simple and less words for my struggling readers, more challenging words with inflectional endings for my advanced students, and basic words for the rest of the class.  Even though the lists are differentiated, all students get words with the word family or word part/word chunk we've been working on.  Some years, I have students who do not take a Spelling test, simply because it's just too difficult for them.  Why would I make a pre-reader who is still working on letter sounds take a test over word families or word parts/word chunks that they're unable to decode/read???  It's stressful and sets the child up for failure.  Most years, I only have 1-2 who do not take Spelling tests.   

 

After we've practiced the words all week, the students prepare for their Spelling test.  They take out their word lists, buddy up with a partner, grab a dry erase slate and get to quizzing!  They call out the words for their partners to write.  After about 10 minutes or so, they put their things away and get ready for the test.  I use my free Spelling Word Paper for the test. 

I collect the tests and grade them over the weekend.  I give them back on Monday and students graph their scores in their Data Binders and take their tests home.  Everyone usually does well on their tests because we practice so much in class and the extra practice at home really sticks.  The students all cheer as I pass back their tests!  Its really cute! 

So there you have it.  My Spelling/Phonics program in a nutshell! All 3 products listed below were mentioned in this post:

 

xo
Megan