There has been a lot of research around spelling, saying that giving a weekly spelling test does not show any significance in student learning. After doing the old way of spelling I totally agree with this! That is why I am so happy that I have finally found and tweaked a system that allows me to meet the needs of every kid. So here it is. I will be posting the system forms I created on my TPT account soon!
Day 1: Monday
Students need to choose their weekly spelling words. These are words they will practice during word work and practice for 3-5 minutes at home Monday through Thursday. To choose words students can look at their word collectors, words around the room, words from our weekly word family, words that are misspelled in their writing...etc... When we first started I provided a lot of support for choosing words. Some kids still need one-on-one to help choose appropriate words, but now most of my kids can choose on their own! Once they have chosen their words they have to fill them out in two places...their spelling folder and their yellow sheet which goes straight into their mailbox.
I put a space on their writing folder sheet that is labeled "notes/words for next week". This way when I am conferencing with students during writers workshop and I notice they misspell a word I can jot it down in this box. That way the following week it can be one of their spelling words!
After students have filled out their two sheets they choose a word work activity to practice their new words with.
Day 2: Tuesday
In my classroom Tuesday is word sort day. Students do a phonics word sort with a partner based on the word family or blend for the week. When they are finished they get their spelling folders and choose a way to practice their own words.
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| Students working on a word sort before working on their spelling list. |
Day 3: Wednesday
Wednesdays for us are short days! Students do rainbow writing with their words before moving on to practicing their spelling words a different way.
Day 4: Thursday
Thursdays students do look, say, write, spell, check! I created these folders and labels so students can do this independently. This is a good check in for students.
Day 5: Friday
Buddy Test! This day is the most important. No way can you give 25 different spelling tests...it would take your whole day! I assign students spelling buddies. All they need to bring is their white board, marker, pencil and spelling folder. Students find a good fit spot in the room with their partner and sit across from them.
Student 1 tests student 2 by reading one word at a time and using their spelling word in a sentence. After they have gone through all 6 words student 1 checks students 2's whiteboard by checking 1 letter at time. If they get it right they put a check mark in their folder, if they get it wrong they put an x in their folder.
Then they switch and student 2 tests student 1. SIMPLE! Now all students have been tested and you can easily track student growth by pulling out their individual folder at any time! If a student gets a word wrong, on Monday they record the word(s) on their new weekly list. They have to practice that word all next week until they get it right. If they are missing all their words then their words are too hard! If a student gets 100% but then they misspell that word wrong in their writing I will ask them to put on their list again for the next week.
So there you have you have it! Hopefully this was helpful to you! Happy spelling!
