Spelling Teams

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Spelling Teams
By Sharon D. W-L

I have often had more then one Spelling "Team". I like Jennifer's idea with the low, average and challenge. It's nice to be able to meet all the needs of the entire class without too much extra prep for yourself.

Another
idea is to reduce the number of words to study. The low group might only get 5-6 words the middle group - 9-12 words and the higher level can do all 12 plus 3-5 bonus words. This way you keep one list but should still be able to meet the needs of all your students. I would recommend that the lowest group get either your undivided attention while doing the test or have someone else

give the test while you work with the others. I think Jennifer has the right idea there too.

Last year I had a 2/3 class and my lowest group were still spelling at grade 1 level. To try and provide them with success I set their words up like this:

They had 5 words to start and for each letter they got in the right position they got a point.

Example:

1) bus
2) bat
3) bed
4) big
5) box

If a child spelled their words like this:

1) bas - 2 points

2) bat - 3 points

3) bad - 2 points

4) bid - 2 points

5) bok - 2 points

Score 11 out of 15 points. They still pass. I also held up my fingers to show them how many letters they needed for each word. This way they could focus on the sounds that they heard. Later on we did the same thing for 4 and 5 letter words. I do this still in first grade after we have covered all the letters and their sounds. I also go in order of the alphabet but use the consonants first and try and have a word with each of the short vowels. Cathy B in AB helped me get this organized a few years back and it has been a great way to do spelling with the reluctant ones.

sdwl