Ms. Kreul’s Class Blog

Students in Grades 3-5 in WFB are using a new spelling program this year called “Spelling for Writers.” The goals for this program are: students will study words and notice patterns, understand word origins, transfer word patterns from the weekly lists to everyday writing, and learn proofreading techniques that should be applied to all writing.

Students are pretested on a specific set of words that fit the week’s spelling generalization. Each student’s weekly list words are different, chosen from three leveled lists, depending on the results of the unit pretest.

A spelling set of activities that students work on each week is called Generalization – Prove It! The class works together to form the generalization (rule, pattern, etc.) for the week’s spelling words. This helps students learn and use the generalization to spell a wide range of similar words.

Next students search around the room to find 12 additional words that fit the week’s generalization. Partners need to see and say the words, then correctly spell the words in their spelling workbooks.

Students usually complete a writing activity that utilizes the week’s words. The authors of the spelling program also give students proofreading tips to help students become more accurate writers.

When students bring home the At-Home List of spelling words for the week on Monday, be sure to read the back of the List which gives information about the week’s words and generalization, as well as additional activities that students can use at home to improve their spelling skills.

4K is working on a new spelling activity called Word Ladders. In this activity students read word definitions, then change, add, and/or delete letters to make new words. Students will bring Word Ladder sheets home on the days they work on this activity.