Spelling

Spelling Routine

Students will be learning spelling patterns by using the Words Their Way program on the www.spellingcity.com website.

Many students have shown that they do not need a whole week to master their words. Students will take a test every Friday. If a student feels like they have mastered their words before Friday, then should take a test early. If they pass, they will move onto the next list. If they have not yet mastered the words on Friday, it is ok, because they will continue with that list the following week. Students should not need more than one week to master their sort.

The words and lists that we use for spelling come from the Words Their Way program. This program focuses on spelling patterns rather than weekly memorization. Students are given an inventory at the beginning of the school year to determine their individual spelling needs. By learning spelling patterns, students become better spelling when they are writing.

Unplugged Practice Ideas

• Print your list of words. Cut the words apart and sort them into the different categories under the key words in dark print. Keep your word cards in a plastic bag. Talk about what the words in each category have in common. What makes the oddball word an oddball?

• Sort the words again in their groups. Look carefully at and talk about the spelling patterns that you see. Copy the words down in columns on a piece of paper. Write your words carefully. Writing helps secure the spelling of words in memory. Try a Speed Sort.

• Speed Sort: Using a stopwatch or timer children will time themselves as they sort their words into categories. After obtaining a baseline speed, students repeat the sort several times and try to beat their own time. Repeated, timed speed sorts help students internalize spelling patterns and become automatic in recognizing them.

• Sort the words again in their groups. Explain to someone at home what the spelling patterns are. Write each word three times each or have someone at home give you a word to spell out loud.

• Writing Sort: Key words are written at the top of a sheet of paper. The student then writes the words in the correct column as they are called aloud. After the word has been written the partner calling the words immediately shows the word card to the student doing the writing to check for correctness.

• Sort your spelling words as fast as you can. Spell each word aloud as you place it in its group. Explain to someone at home why the words belong in these groups.

• Blind Sort: This should only be done after the student has had a chance to practice a word sort several times, but it is critically important if students are to learn the spelling patterns that go with particular words. Key words are laid down as headers. Students work with a partner who calls out a word without showing it. The student points to where the word should go and the partner lays down the word card to check its spelling against the key word.

Option for Acceleration: Many students have shown that they do not need a whole week to master their words. Students will be tested every Monday to determine their sort for the week. An additional testing opportunity will be given each Wednesday for students who feel that they are ready. If a student passes their list, they will be given the next sort on Wednesday and will take that test on Friday. If they have not yet mastered the words on Friday, it is ok, because they can test on Monday. Each time a student tests, their score will be written on their daily report card. This will communicate to parents whether or not their child tested and what the result was.

Students should not need more than one week to master their sort.

Students will be given lists and when they pass a level, they will be given the next. Their lists may not always be in sequence, either. This is why students will be writing their codes on their Daily Report Cards.

Spelling lists can also be found on SpellingCity

Use the code on your daily report card to find your list.

The site includes games and activities to practice your words.

The words and lists that we use for spelling come from the Words Their Way program. This program focuses on spelling patterns rather than weekly memorization. Students are given an inventory to determine their individual spelling needs. By learning spelling patterns, students become better spelling when they are writing.