Spelling- what's your take?


Hi everyone!  It's Jennie from JD's Rockin' Readers!  

This post isn't going to be my normal post where I think maybe I can share a tip to help you in your classroom.  I am actually going to ask the opposite…. I need help:)

In my school (K-4), we are looking into our spelling program and trying to figure out what is best to help our kids.  I would LOVE to hear from you as to what works for you.  Our program now is actually very individualized.  We have 12 words each week.  7 of them are pattern words and the other 5 are sight words (dependent on ability).  
Each week we have parent helpers give our tests because they are individualized.  This is where the problem comes in… it takes the parent about an hour and a half just to give the tests.  So, when she can't show up or we have  delay or cancellation, it just doesn't work out well.  They are extremely time consuming!

We have mixed reviews as a staff as to whether we should even have spelling tests, what types of words we should be giving, and if they are beneficial.  What do you think?  

What spelling programs do you use and do you think they are beneficial?  Thanks for your help!



12 comments

  1. We use Spellwell at our school. I give a pretest on Mondays, and if the kids miss 3 or more then they're responsible for the regular words for the test on Friday. If they miss less than 3 then they are responsible for the alternate words. (I add additional words to the alternate list so they'll have 15 words) The weekly lists are grouped by spelling rules, etc. Our school works at the Spellwell one grade level above - so for my fourth graders, we use Spellwell D and Dd, which are 5th grade level. As for the weekly tests - we don't call out words. For third through fifth grades, for a little testing practice throughout the year, we have them choose the correctly spelled word out of 4 words. The incorrectly spelled words are ways the kids frequently misspell the words. For those that have alternate words, on their weekly test, if they missed one or two words on the pretest, they're responsible for writing them correctly on Friday's test. For weekly homework - I use the workbook pages as practice but I don't think all of them are relevant, so for other nights they have a tic-tac-toe menu to choose from. Alternate word homework is tic-tac-toe every night. Spellwell is from epsspecialty.com
    Janie
    Are We There Yet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This sounds pretty similar to what we are thinking about trying only we were going to make everything ourselves. I will check it out! Thanks so much!
      Jennie

      Delete
  2. We don't have a spelling program at our school. Each teacher does their own thing. Personally, I don't teach spelling, beyond the phonics work we do during out guided reading groups. I do give the Words Their Way Spelling Inventory and have done word sorts in the past. I love the Words Their Way type of spelling instruction; however, with all the small group work we do for reading and math, I just don't have time for another small group!

    That being said, I don't see my lack of direct spelling instruction affecting students' spelling development. We do so much with reading by syllables and whenever a student asks me to spell a word, I always syllabicate it for them (if it's decodable). We do focus on irregular spelled words that need to be memorized (in terms of reading).

    I may do more with spelling next year, but reading was more important for this group of students and that's where I needed to concentrate my energy. When I did give the WTW tests and assign words, it was based on students' spelling levels. I did give them word sorts in addition to "fun" activities to do with the words.

    What I Have Learned

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are looking into Words Their Way also. I used it briefly several years ago… I also do much of my "phonics" instruction during guided reading. Both of my boys are not strong spellers and I know that we have to really practice their words a lot for them to do well on the tests. I'm torn because 1. I feel the tests at least get them practicing and eventually they will get it. 2. They are the type that learn it for the test and don't have the carry through in their daily writing.

      It's so hard to know what is best…

      Jennie

      Delete
  3. I am interested to see the feedback you get on this post. I too, debate this issue. I currently use my roots and stems words for the week as my "spelling words" but they don't truly have to spell them. They simply have to distinguish the words from each other, if that makes sense. They mainly learn the word part and several words that use it. I'll be checking back to see what everyone has to say. Great post!
    ~Brandee
    Creating Lifelong Learners

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm curious to see what other people say, too. The first two semesters at our school we create spelling lists of "no excuses words". After they are tested on the words they go up on a word wall and students are expected to spell them correctly on every assignment for the rest of the year. For the second two semesters we do phonics-based lists, but I don't really like those because they seem to forget the patterns after they've studied them for the weekly test. I'd love to find a new way to assess spelling rather than just reading words off a list. I'll be checking back to see what you find out!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Our district had been using Words Their Way {Word Study} after taking a class on how to use it. It is very individualized with small groups. I was able to work it out to coincide with my reading groups, but it was never perfect. I do think it is great, but the teacher has to do it correctly and dedicate a great deal of time to it for it to work right. After a while, the students were getting the same word lists each year and not "moving" into different features like we want to see.

    This year our K-2 teachers have been required to use the new basal to fidelity, and we are seeing gains in spelling of words on assessments. My son's school has also moved away from traditional word study to a modified version where students are getting grade specific words that are differentiated.

    I do use word study in my small group interventions because it seems to help them out.

    Hope that helps you out a little bit. I am also curious about what others say on this subject too.

    Andrea
    Reading Toward the Stars

    ReplyDelete
  6. I don't have any set curriculum that I'm required to use; however, most years I use Words Their Way. It can be a bit time consuming, since it is individualized, but it's well worth the effort. As for spelling tests....have you considered using Spelling City? The basic membership is free. What I like best is that I can input individualized lists and all the activities and games are customized to my lists....including a spelling test. Because I have so many different lists going at the same time, when it's time for spelling tests, I can just put my students on Spelling City with some headphones and the computer administers the test for me (and grades it, too). Just a thought. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi ! This is always a debate for me as an interventionist. When I have 5 different spelling lists for grade 1, it is hard for me to streamline instruction.

    I notice at the upper grades (3/5) teachers tend to ignore the needs for patterns and predictability and steer towards vocabulary or content words.

    I have to incorporate word study into small group instruction so that my readers understand how to chunk words apart and when a vowel says it's long or short sound.

    That's all for now, folks !

    ReplyDelete
  8. Our school began using Words Their Way this year and, for me, the jury's still out. I don't know how I feel about it. I only meet with my groups one time/week, to sort the words and discuss the rules. Then we do partner sorts, speed sorts, and use Spelling City throughout the week for practice, not in groups. For tests, I partner the kids up with a child in a different group so they are not testing each other on the same words. They give each other the words. This has worked out very well for me this year, and I have no problems with cheating.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Let it be known that I am not a fan of "Friday Spelling Tests". I've always given them according to my district's requirements. Currently, they must use the basal. It is based on a phonics pattern and progresses as the year goes on. I like the way it is done; however, I don't think that students retain the pattern to help them read or spell. I wish that the same words were in their reading passages. I always used Spelling City as homework and/or practice during a classroom station.

    I went to a PD a few years back that spoke of giving a pattern for kids to study and on Friday you would give all the kids the same words that followed the pattern. Perhaps some of these words you would work on throughout the week so that kids would get a chance to see them.

    Deniece

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks everyone for all of your input! I have many things to ponder and I hope this helps others as well!
    Jennie

    ReplyDelete