Spelling

[SC]

I teach 4th grade at a private school. I hate the way we have to teach spelling, but I have to do it. I have some kids in my class who really can't spell to save their lives. I'm grading work right now, and everything on this kid's paper is spelled phonetically (why I hate our program). I do take off points when kids misspell words, but I don't know how to help them. Any ideas?

 

[Mrs. O]

Here's a few ideas.

I teach second grade, and here are suggestions I give my students and their parents for Spelling and Bible Memory. If you are using a "traditional" curriculium, like I am, you have to find new ways to practice. You may already use these or they may be too corny for your big kids, but maybe you can adapt something.

• Say spell say the words into a tape recorder and then listen to yourself. Could also video tape and watch.
• Call a grandparent and say spell say some words for them.
• Say spell say words into a mirror.
• Write your words in a shallow pan of salt or cornmeal.
• Write your words and then trace over using different colors
• Write your words on top of a piece of sandpaper.
• Do air punches, push-ups, toe touches ect. for each letter as you spell the word.
• Write them on a dry erase board.
• Sing 5 letter words to the tune of "Bingo". (I have heard of other tunes for different numbers, but I can't think of them right now.)
• Tree spelling

l
le
let
lett
lette
letter

• Give each letter a value and have the children add up how much each word is worth.
• Telephone numbers for each word.

Ask them to come up with some creative ways to practice. Honestly, I think spelling comes easier for some than others and in the end the only way to memorize is to write them over and over again. (Unless there is a genuine learning difficulty in that area, but that's another story.) I hope this helps.​

 

[Carrie in WV]

Private school here, too

I am wondering if we use the same curriculum. Our words (5th grade) are soooo hard. The kids can spell big words for a test that they would never use in their everyday writing or vocabulary, but they can't spell very, friend, etc. We use Abeka. I am trying to talk to our education committee about looking into something else. Our test scores in that area are not that great, either.