More spelling ideas

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Home : 2002 : January : 4

More spelling ideas
By Cathy-Dee

I thought I'd add what I do for spelling, and I'd love to hear more ideas too.

I start my spelling in January (usually the 2nd week). I basically formed my own program over the last few years that works well with my kids
who tend to be lower than average because of their home situations.
I start with B words
(10 words usually though later I'll increase to 12)
bat, bun, bit, bug, bus, ban, big, etc.,
The two sentences use the above words and commonly used words.
1. The bat bit the bun.
2. The bag was on the bus.
If I introduce a new word like "was" it becomes a bonus word for them to

practice, but is not counted for marks except in the sentence.

Because most of my students are just learning the short vowel sounds, right now I give a 1/2 mark if they get both the beginning and ending sound right in the word. In the sentence, I mark the same way, except a word like The would have to be written correctly. I also give a mark for the capital at the beginning and the period.

The next test will be C words and so on.

Later I will combine some letters because there are very few 3-letter short vowel words I can use. Then I'll add blends or digraphs to the mix as they get better with the short vowels. Some years I make it to long vowels as well.

I find this method is really helpful with their short vowels sounds.

I send the words and sentences home on Monday and then do the test either on Thursday or Friday. I tried pre-tests in the past and they didn't really make a difference so we just do this. I introduce the words as part of our class on Monday and we read them, discuss little tricks for practicing them at home and then it's up to them to practice. Those who do practice do well.