Spelling

How we Teach Spelling

We teacher "spelling consciousness", we teach students the tools to become spellers for life.

Tools include:

  • A Personal dictionary or a portable word wall like the "500 Word List"

  • Alphaboxes for Math, Social Studies and Science for Specialized vocabulary

  • Editing skills for anytime they write

  • Journal ling in their Reading Response Journals for daily practice

  • "Trick Word list for Me" and "Tricky Word List for the Class"

  • Word work lessons for teaching spelling by analogy

Mark the strategies you use: (Put a check next to the ones you use most.)

  • Stretch words out slowly and listen to sounds.

  • Draw a line under, circle, or write “sp” words I am not sure of during drafting.

  • Clap out syllables and check each syllable for a vowel.

  • Try to visualize what the word looks like.

  • Use another piece of paper or the margin to spell the word several ways.

  • Use “words I know” to spell other words.

  • Use a portable word wall or personal dictionary.

  • Use an Alpha-Box.

  • Refer to tricky words and homophone lists in my writing folder.

  • Use a dictionary or thesaurus.

  • If I know I can find the word quickly, I might_______________________.

  • During editing, ask a friend to edit with me.

  • If I think it will take me some time to find the correct spelling, I wait until editing, and then I might______________________________.

  • During editing, add words to my portable word wall that I think I will use again.