Children
do not get a list of spelling words on Monday's that they will be tested on
Friday. The children participate in a spelling program called “Personal
Spelling.” I have taken the list of spelling words and divided them into lists
of 10 instead of 15. They have been retyped and separated into a filing box.
The 3rd week of school, I will give each child list 1 (a piece of paper the
size of an index card)
with its 10 words, and the sheet titled “Personal Spelling.” The children will
need to complete three of the activities listed on the sheet
and turn them in. They must complete the two activities listed under number 3
and pick one of the four activities listed under number 4, so altogether, they
will turn in three activities each week. The children will
have 20 minutes daily to complete these activities in class; they are not
going to complete them at home. The activities can be turned in, any day
during the week, and will count as a weekly
classwork grade. Once we have agreed they have done their best, they can test
on those 10 words. Another student will call out the words in random order for
the test (I will be monitoring this). The children will keep their list of 10
words in their spelling folders and may take them home to study also, but they
must bring the list back to school daily to complete the activities. Once they
have taken the test, they will get list number 2 to complete and so on. Once
we begin this process, some students will only complete one list a week, while
others may complete more. However, every child must complete at least three
activities and take a test on at least one list each week. This is where
working at their own pace begins.
I believe implementing spelling this way is better for the
children because it allows them to work at their own pace and study in a more
creative way. I learned about this particular program in a class I attended
one summer, but I have found out recently that one of our third grade teachers
(Mrs. Fitts) does spelling this way in her class, also. She told me the
children like it much better and succeed well with it. I
know this is new so, if you have any questions, please email me, call me, or
set up a time when we can meet to talk more about this in person.