By now, you've seen that our spelling program has changed - again. In the fall, students used word sorts to learn how to pay closer attention to the patterns in words. In January, we switched things up and spent some time learning the spellings for frequently confused words (e.g. homophones). While we have learned a lot about spelling this year through these previous approaches, I couldn't help but notice that many of us continued to misspell some of the words we frequently use when reading and writing - words like 'said', 'because', 'also', and 'always'. Because most of these words don't follow spelling rules and patterns, they are almost impossible to sound out. And so...a new spelling program was born! For the next few weeks, each student will be responsible for identifying the words they are currently confused about. Using the spelling routine found in Nancie Atwell's Lessons That Change Writers, students will target 5 words to work on each week. Each night, students will apply our study steps:
Independent Word Study Routine
1. Copy the word correctly into the first column.
2. Read the word: look at it and say it.
3. Spell the word to yourself: touch each letter with your pencil and say the letters softly.
4. Find the tricky parts and circle them with your pencil.
5. Slowly, and carefully, print the word 3 times. Say the letters as you print them. When you get to the tricky part, say these letters louder and print them darker/harder.
6. Repeat these steps for all the other words.
5 minute Break
7. Spell the words in the 'Spell' column. Do not look at the words for help.
8. Check each of the letters with your pencil. Give a * if you got it right, or copy it again if you got it wrong.
9. Repeat for the rest of your words.
Even though we are only 1 week in, some of us have already begun to see a change in our spelling accuracy. For many students, these incorrect spellings have been practiced many, many, times over the years, making it very important for them to be completing this routine every night. Done correctly, the spelling homework routine should take 15-20 minutes. A small price to pay for spelling mastery!
Independent Word Study Routine
1. Copy the word correctly into the first column.
2. Read the word: look at it and say it.
3. Spell the word to yourself: touch each letter with your pencil and say the letters softly.
4. Find the tricky parts and circle them with your pencil.
5. Slowly, and carefully, print the word 3 times. Say the letters as you print them. When you get to the tricky part, say these letters louder and print them darker/harder.
6. Repeat these steps for all the other words.
5 minute Break
7. Spell the words in the 'Spell' column. Do not look at the words for help.
8. Check each of the letters with your pencil. Give a * if you got it right, or copy it again if you got it wrong.
9. Repeat for the rest of your words.
Even though we are only 1 week in, some of us have already begun to see a change in our spelling accuracy. For many students, these incorrect spellings have been practiced many, many, times over the years, making it very important for them to be completing this routine every night. Done correctly, the spelling homework routine should take 15-20 minutes. A small price to pay for spelling mastery!