Spelling is an integrated part of the language workshop process and will be addressed through the week in this manner.  Phonics and Word Work practice is integrated into our literacy block for 45 minutes each day. Final assessments for each unit will generally occur every two weeks.  Class instruction will be based on the ongoing Fundations Level 2 system of literacy development. Fundations students receive a systematic program in critical foundational skills emphasizing: print concepts, letter formation, phonological and phonemic awareness, sound mastery, phonics, word study, advanced word study, trick word (high frequency word) instruction, vocabulary, accuracy, automaticity, fluency, comprehension strategies, handwriting, and spelling. Weekly principles and activities will be based on the patterns and generalizations of words and word families, as well as vowels and consonant sounds, vowel teams, digraphs, blends, plurals, and exceptions. 

Practice with these words is encouraged at home and new units will be generally be posted bi-weekly as the program dictates. They will include several "trick words" (high frequency words) that are suggested for reading and spelling automaticity (as they often do not follow sound "rules").  In addition, practice lists will also include 10 words to practice each week that highlight prior unit concepts as well as the new lesson principles for the current unit.  One complete sentence for oral dictation will also be included to practice at home each week. These activities can be found below. 

 Please encourage your child to "tap out the sounds" or to "sky write" in order to help them track the sound chunks and patterns before they write.  Students will not be tested precisely on all of these words, but rather on the phonological concepts. They should be able to replicate the sound concepts with many kinds of words.  Children will be expected to obtain an 80% on their summary tests in order to show mastery.  This program expectation is scripted and dictated by the Fundations program and assessment data will also be followed by our specialist teachers as a response to intervention (RTI) should your child require more time for development through the Resource program.