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 morning. Final spelling assessments for each unit will generally occur every two weeks. Class instruction will be based on the ongoing introduction of the new 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 spelling principles and activities will be based on the patterns and generalizations of words and word families, as well as vowels and consonant sounds, digraphs, blends, and plurals.
Regular practice with these words is encouraged at home and new spelling units will be posted bi-weekly as the program dictates. I will include several "trick words" (high frequency words) that need to be practiced by sight for automaticity and motor memory (as they often do not follow sound "rules). In addition I will also provide you with 20 words to practice each week that review prior unit concepts as well as the new lesson concepts for the current unit. These words can be found below. Please refer to the unit overviews provided each week in your child's literacy log to see how you can help them identify and practice concepts. Choose a few words each night to practice and study. 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 concepts and 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 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.