In our classroom we use a developmental spelling program called Words Their Way. Students take an inventory test at the beginning of the school year to determine what spelling patterns/rules they know. They are then given weekly word lists based on the patterns/rules that they need to learn. Therefore, it is very important that the patterns/rules are stressed at home instead of "memorizing" the spelling of the words.
Here is what our daily spelling work looks like:
On Mondays students are given their new lists and are to cut and sort the words according to the pattern. We discuss each groups' patterns and write them in our agendas and spelling notebooks.
On Tuesdays we find 10 words in books that have the same spelling patterns as our words and write them in our spelling notebooks.
On Wednesdays and Thursdays we have choice days. We pick activities from our spelling menu to complete.
On Fridays we take our spelling test. The students are given 10 words and need to not only spell them correctly, but also put them in the correct pattern category.
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