Spelling

Ahhhhh!

One frustration I had last year was Spelling. How to incorporate it? How to test it? Which words to use? To do a phonics based/vocabulary based/basal based program....what to do, what to do? I was frustrated creating lists, and I was frustrated with the resources available. Students were frustrated with failing. I modified and individualized. My efforts were not consistently paying off. I was frustrated with failing.

Today I found some reassurance. I read 4/5 grade teacher Brent Vasicek's blog, found on Scholastic. I also visited his classroom website. You may see it for yourself here. It includes his way of teaching spelling. He calmed my fear of there only being right way of teaching spelling.

He differentiates spelling by requiring students to complete activities to earn points throughout the week. Scores on previous spelling tests determine the amount of points required. This way, students who 'get it' aren't wasting their time-they've already proven they know their stuff, while others who need it, are practicing. Each student chooses activities that they are comfortable with and that are meaningful to them. You can find his activity ideas on his website. He presents the activity choices with a Spelling Pie, Bingo Chart, or on a Checklist. These activities are strictly homework. The choices are given out on Wednesdays, and expected back on the following Wednesday, test day. I like the idea of having the entire weekend with the word list.

The word lists Mr. Vasicek uses include a combination of skills. On his website he even provides sample lists. These lists usually have prefix,suffix,root words, homophones, classroom words (pertaining to other content areas), and rhyming words.

Here's to revamping spelling next year!