As grade one students learn to write, spelling is a skill that also must be learned and practised. We don't want kids frustrated or hung up on spelling things correctly so much that it impedes their success when writing poems, stories, journals, etc. The most important thing is for your child to get their thoughts down on paper and not to worry about the perfect spelling of each word.
Our goal is for your child to have command over some basic high-frequency words - see the NO EXCUSES spelling words - and some strategies to find patterns in language.
**Example**
Research on the study of spelling shows that children often study for the spelling test, and have success recalling the memorized words, but then fail to spell those same words correctly in their written work. That said, by focussing on high-frequency words and word families (rhyming words) for grade one students, our hope is to teach the patterns your child will need to be successful in our writing program.
Please try to help your child by spelling the "words of the week" and finding those words in their reading. Don't let your child become upset or anxious about the spelling test. Our weekly word study simply gives us some focus and context for familiar or patterned words. Truly, the test does not matter and the results will not count toward your child's writing mark. Using the word wall - we call that "using what you know" - to check the spelling of high frequency words is what matters most.
When writing with your child at home, remind them of high-frequency words they know, the word families we have studied and encourage them to 'sound out' any unfamiliar words. The skill of stretching words, to hear all their sounds, is an important skill to practise. Plus... it's fun!!!