Spelling Power

Today I thought I'd provide a glimpse into the new spelling program we are using this year. So far, I LOVE IT (as for Hunter, I've received no complaints whatsoever). 'Spelling Power' (an award winning program and Cathy Duffy pick!) focuses on the 5000 most frequently used and misspelled words in the English language. There are no grade levels (just corresponding letters -level A= first grade, level B= second grade, etc.), and no weekly lists. You read that right! NO WEEKLY LISTS!

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You start off by giving your student a series of detailed assessments (very user friendly, everything is in the manual!). The results of these assessments determine which level is an appropriate starting point for your student. You begin with group 1 of the appropriate level, and work your way through AT THE STUDENT'S OWN PACE! No pressure to finish the book in one year, no getting bored with the same words over and over. In my opinion, I believe the best part of this program is the idea that if Hunter knows a word, we move on, and he never has to prove his knowledge of that word again! We only practice words he has misspelled.

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Here is a shot of the page we are currently using. He is on level C, and working through group 3 right now.

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Hunter's test sheet starts off looking like this. The left column is labeled 'Test Words', and the right column is labeled 'Words to learn'. The book comes with a cd rom that contains files of printable test sheets. I feel they are a little busy for Hunter's level, so I just improvise :o)

The first words of the test are always the word/words he got wrong the day before. SO you start with the missed words from yesterday, and then continue through the list in the book - for five minutes, and then you stop!
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I love watching him use that noggin!

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Here he is writing the first word, 'which', which is the only word he missed yesterday.





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An important step in this special process is to stop and review each word immediately after your student has finished writing it. If they spelled it right, move on to the next word. If they spelled it wrong, the student rewrites the word, spelled correctly, in the 'words to learn' column. Move on to the next word.

Hunter got through five words before he missed one, 'pick', which he spelled 'pik'. At that point, I write the word on the whiteboard, and we discuss the correct spelling.





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Here is Hunter copying the correct spelling into the 'words to learn column'.




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After that, we had time for one more word, 'picked', which he spelled correctly, leaving 'pick' as the ONLY word he has to study!

Here is where things get interesting:

Now that we have his words to learn, we go through a unique list of activities.

Step one:
Review the word, say the spelling out loud, and discuss anything tricky, such as silent letters

(Hunter took this picture, and was told NOT to include anything but my arm, on pain of no birthday presents!)


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Step two: The student closes their eyes, says the word, spells the word, and says the word again (spelling-bee style). If the student spells is right, move on, if not, go back to step one.

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Step three: The student traces the letters on a tabletop, while saying the letters out loud. This is an awesome mental/physical connection for them! Again, if he gets it right, we move on. If not, we go back to step one.

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Step four: The student says the word, writes the word (speaking out loud as he writes each letter), and says the word again.

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At this point, if he has it right, you're done! (if not, you guessed it! Go back to step one, and continue until the student gets all the steps right)

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Go through all of the steps, on missed word at a time. I make a point to throw the words out at Hunter throughout the evening, and especially at dinner. So tomorrow, the first word on Hunter's test will be 'pick', and I'm sure he'll get it right!

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By the way, if your student gets the word wrong again the next day, it is no big deal, you just proceed exactly the same way. That word will stay on their test until they've gotten it right, but you've been able to move through the list at the same time!

Another interesting thing worth mentioning, is that the book you purchase contains ALL of the spelling lists needed for 1st - 12th grade! That is ONE non-consumable book that will sustain ALL of your kids through ALL of their school years!

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