Spelling lists in 4th grade?

[SwollenAnkles]

Yes I am already thinking about next year! I don’t want to teach spelling lists. My team does. It is also part of our basal reader we use, Journeys. I know a lot of teachers don’t do the list and tests anymore. If you are one of them what do you do instead? Do you do some other form of word work? Do you test on that? Our standard is spelling in context, not lists. Suggestions?

 

[seenthelight]

I haven’t given a spelling test in three years. We read. A lot. We work on vocabulary. We talk about commonly misspelled words and have a reference sheet in our writing binders. We put new words we learn on our word wall. How do I “test?” We write daily and do a major writing every month (a week of presenting, a week of drafting, a week of revising, a week of editing and putting together a final draft). Word on the word wall or in the writing binder should be spelled correctly. We also discuss looking up words you aren’t sure of the spelling on whether it be by asking a friend, asking me, googling (1-1 district), or using the dictionary. Their writing is where I get my spelling grades.

I’m sorry, but lists don’t work. The kids know how to spell them Friday for the test and then write them incorrectly on Monday when you have them write in their journals or begin drafting a piece. I fully agree with the last part of your post. Context. It matters. They can’t truly learn to spell by writing the words three times each, taking basically a rote memorization test, and then never seeing them again.

 

[SwollenAnkles]

Thank you! I completely agree! I feel the spelling list is a waste of time! Thank you for the input. My team is very stuck in their ways so I know I will be alone with getting rid of this out of date practice. I have only been teaching three years and needed some reassurance that is is okay to do away with this.

 

[MissESL]

Spelling

What I would do - generally, the practice of a spelling list is not the greatest for the reasons already listed. But, that doesn’t mean it’s worthless.

I usually included our Journeys list with the book vocabulary as the vocabulary list of the week. I used it in word work centers, I used the activities Journeys provided as fillers, and fodder for cooperative learning. I didn’t test on them, though. I felt like it as important to acknowledge the words, and since phonics is a weakness in Journeys, the way they used patterns was helpful.

I taught second grade, though, and haven’t for two years. Take my opinion as you will!