Spelling

Spelling is taught and assessed through writing. Research has shown that real improvement can occur in student's written spelling through practice with proof reading and frequently used words. The spelling program is based on a list of the most frequently used words in the English language. Difficult spellings or spellings of more specific or esoteric words are based on learning the rules that are apparent in more frequently used words.

Students are responsible for correctly spelling words that appear on any of several lists that they maintain in the spelling folder of their three-ringed binder. The lists are described below:

Priority Word List

Priority words are at the top of the list of most frequently used words. We start with the first thirty and add a few each week. Misspelling these words or their homonyms (words that sound the same but mean something different: their, there, they're) carries the most serious consequences. Most priority words have been learned by first or second grade so spelling these correctly is mostly a matter of careful proof reading for silly mistakes.

Copied Words

Copied words are words that appear immediately in a student's environment while they are working on an assignment. If they are answering a question about a novel, and they misspell the title of the novel while it is sitting on their desk, or if they misspell a word when copying a sentence off of the board, then it is considered a spelling error. Often a list of words is written on the board to help with spelling during specific assignments. Misspelling a copied word reflects lack of care and proof reading.

Core Words

Core words are the words we are focussing on during any particular week. In fifth grade we start with the 401^st most frequently used word and look at about five new words each week in order of frequency. We use these words to gain understanding of rules and strategies for spelling in general. The activities we do with these words are focused on building spelling skills that can be applied to less frequently used words. Students are accountable for studying and spelling core words in their writing.

Review Core Words

Any words that fall before the current list of core words and after the priority words are called review core words. Students are responsible for spelling these correctly. Even though 400 words sounds like a long spelling list to be responsible for, a close look at the list will reveal that most students in fifth grade already master most of the words. To study review core words, just focus on those that are still challenging to your student. Copy, cover and spell is a good technique for reviewing these.