Spelling Changes…1st and 2nd Grades

… Thinking of Spelling in the Context of Word Study

More time to …

• Review the students’ writing pieces more frequently to assess the carryover of word studies into their writing

• Practice word study applications e.g., instant word concentration, word sorts

• Provide intensive “working with words” practice during guided reading small groups

Spelling in the Context of Word Study …

Patterns and Structures of Words: Studying groups of words that have similar patterns and structures

High Frequency Words: Practicing and working with the instant words, those high frequency words that are used over and over again in non-fiction and fiction literature

Vocabulary Development: Building and enhancing vocabulary through study of word meanings, synonyms, antonyms, homophones, compound words, multiple meaning words

Integrating the Two Primary Tools

• Fountas and Pinnell Phonics Lessons

• Spelling for Writers (Great Source)

1st Grade

2nd Grade

Assessment Practices

Diagnostic Assessments: Where are my students?

• From Fountas and Pinnell (1st grade): Pages 80-89

• From Fountas and Pinnell (2nd grade): Pages 40-56

• From Words Their Way, by Bear, et.al.: The Primary Spelling Inventory

Assessment Practices

Ongoing Assessments:

• Review of students’ published writing pieces and journal entries to see carryover into writing

• Word work activities from independent work

• Guided reading activities focused on word work

• Letter from the District

• Ongoing emails/newsletters from teachers

• Web page support activities

Communication with Families

Word Work Activities for Spelling

Daily Practice: Provide students with approximately 10-15 minutes of daily review or practice.  Proofread for Spelling Errors: Give students strategies/tools for and practice in proofreading their writing pieces and editing for spelling errors. Word Walls: Encourage students to use the word wall as a resource for correctly spelling instant words (high frequency words). Make the word wall interactive (at the students’ height), so they can bring a word card to their writing area to use correctly in their writing.

Word Work Activities for Spelling

Practice: Word Sorts: Students work with their words and sort words into the patterns they see. Prove It: Students use the pattern/ rule/ generalization to find words in the room, reading materials, subject area materials that fit the pattern/rule/or generalization e.g., If you can spell _____, you can spell ______.Other Options:Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check: Use this strategy to study your words. Look at a word, say it aloud, cover the word, write it, and check your spelling. Color Coding: Use highlighters to color code the patterns using the same color for each pattern.

What questions may we answer?