Grade 4
2023-2024
Mr.Rockwell's
Spelling
Even in a print-rich environment, spelling development does not just happen for many children. There must be a predictable period of time set aside each day for the specific, intentional study of words and their spellings. During this time, the students will engage in a variety of activities that focus on the spelling, meaning, and use of selected words in speaking and writing. This is not simply an extension of Writing Work Time, but a time set aside for intensive study of words and spelling patterns.
Monday: Students are given their lists of words for the week’s study. With assistance of the teacher, words are defined and used in sentences, also individual weekly lists are compiled. The goal is to find ten to fifteen words to spell for the week.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: Workshop activities are undertaken in groups, pairs and individually. Workshop activities may include spelling games, group work on common patterns, word building, activities to strengthen visual memory, work with word families, rhyming, dictionary activities, and proofreading. Thursday may also be used as a pretest or practice-test day.
Friday: Students are tested on the words selected for study that week, and progress is celebrated. Student partners may be used to test each other, with one reading the words while the other writes them. Students record "New Words I Can Spell" in their personal spelling logs. When the students have recorded words they can spell, they are held responsible for spelling those words in the future.
Effective Techniques for Memorizing Spelling Words
Technique A:
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Look at word carefully.
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Say the word.
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With eyes closed, visualize the word.
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Cover the word and then write it.
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Check the spelling
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If the word is misspelled, repeat steps 1-5.
Technique B:
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Pronounce each word carefully.
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Look carefully at each part of the word as you say it.
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Say the letter in sequence.
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Attempt to recall how the word looks, and then spell it.
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Check this attempt to recall.
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Write the word.
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Check the spelling attempt.
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Repeat the above steps if necessary.
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