Parent Information: We will be using the Words Their Way spelling program. Spelling will be taught more as word studythan in a traditional way. I know this may seem strange at first, but research shows that sorting activities based on patterns in spelling are a much better way to learn words than memorizing (and often forgetting) a list each week.
The entire class will be on the same lists for the first two weeks of school so that they can learn the homework and classroom activities that will be used throughout the year. These words may be too easy for some students, but it is necessary for the success of this program.
On the third week, the words your child brings home will be based on their developmental level. A collection of spelling words that have been introduced to the students will come home every Wednesday.
Spelling tests will also be given each Wednesday. Your child needs to learn all words on their list, but only ten words will be randomly chosen for the test.
Students who earn an “A” or “B” on a spelling test will not be required to do homework the next week. Students earning below an “A” or “B” will be required to do the following activities. They will need to be turned in together on Wednesday morning, just before taking the spelling test. Students required todo homework who do not turn in the following four activities will receive a “0” for the week’s homework. Students not required to do homework will receive an excused or an “X”.
Activity 1: Your child will have word strips with each spelling word written. Have your child sort the words into categories like the ones we did at school. Your child should read each word aloud during this activity. Ask your child to explain why the words are sorted in a particular way----what does the sort reveal about spelling in general? Ask your child to sort them a second time as fast as possible. To get credit for this assignment, your student needs to write, “I did activity #1” and you need to sign your name.
Activity 2: Your child needs to write each word correctly 5 times each.
Activity 3: Your child needs to select 10 of the spelling words and write each one in a sentence that shows the correct meaning of the word.
Activity 4: Have your child do a writing sort to prepare for the Wednesday test. As you call out the words in a random order, your child should write them in categories. Call out any words your child misspells a second or even a third time until they are mastered. (Students do not need to categorize the words for the spelling test.) To get credit for activity #4, your child needs to write "I did activity #4" and you need to sign your name.
