For spelling, you need a set of lists.
http://www.k12reader.com/ has lists for grades 1-5
http://www.aaaspell.com/grade1.htm has lists for grades 1-8
http://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/free-spelling-lists has lists for grades 1-7
Inside my girls' spelling notebooks is this information:
Weekly
Spelling Plan
Monday:
Pretest
Copy words that
are misspelled 3 times.
Tuesday: 10 Step Spelling Sheet
Wednesday:
1) Write down the spelling rule
(paraphrased in mom’s words).
2) Sort Words into categories
3) Write words in
alphabetical order
Thursday:
Copy spelling rule on the top of today’s activity sheet. Choose a spelling activity from Spelling
Activity Sheet.
Friday: Post Test
I am using the lists from Spelling Power. An older copy of spelling power can be found on ebay for $5.
On Tuesday, they use an age appropriate 10 step spelling sheet.
Here's a link to an example: http://highland.hitcho.com.au/10stepstudy.pdf
and directions: http://www.spellingpower.com/spbucd/recordbooks/howtostudyaword.pdf
I compiled age appropriate activity sheets. Here's the 2nd/3rd grade sheet:
Spelling Activities 2/3
1. Write
each spelling word without its vowels. Replace each vowel with a line.
2. Write
your spelling words in crayon or pen. Write each consonant letter in red and
each vowel in blue.
3. Write the
words and cross out all of silent letters.
4. Write
each spelling word in a rainbow of colors. First, write the words with a
red crayon. Trace over the words with a blue crayon. Finally, trace the words
again with a green crayon.
5. Write
your spelling words as fractions. The
number of vowels is the numerator and number of consonants is the denominator.
6. Write
your words with all the letters scrambled up. Then ask a parent or sibling to unscramble the
words in your notebook. Correct that person’s work.
7. Write
each spelling word. Next to each word, write two additional words of at
least three letters that can be spelled using the letters in the word.
8. Use
letter tiles to spell out this week’s words.
9. Use each
spelling word in a sentence. Correct spelling and grammar count!
10. Write
your spelling words on cards (make two sets) and play "Memory Match"
with them against a sibling or parent.
11. Use a
thesaurus to write a synonym for each word.
12. Write
your words by arranging the letters in alphabet pasta. Glue them on paper
or do it on a table or counter at home.
13. Use
a dictionary to write a definition for each word. (You can borrow a
dictionary from school if you do not have one at home.)
14. Locomotive Words - Write the entire list end-to-end as one long
word, using different colors of pens or crayons for each word.
15. Draw a picture to illustrate
each word
and the 4th/5th grade sheet:
Spelling Activities, 4/5
You may choose 1 activity
to complete.
1. Write
each spelling word without its vowels. Replace each vowel with a line.
2. Write
your spelling words in crayon or pen. Write each consonant letter in red and
each vowel in blue.
3. Write the
words and cross out all of silent letters.
4. Write
each spelling word in a rainbow of colors. First, write the words with a
red crayon. Trace over the words with a blue crayon. Finally, trace the words
again with a green crayon.
5. Write
your words with all the letters scrambled up. Then ask a parent or sibling to
unscramble the words in your notebook. Correct that person’s work.
6. Write
each spelling word. Next to each word, write two additional words of at
least three letters that can be spelled using the letters in the word.
7. Use
letter tiles to spell out this week’s words.
8. Spelling
Math: Which spelling word has the highest value? Which word has
the lowest value? Do any words have an equal value? Vowels are worth 1
point and consonants are worth. “y” is worth 3 because it can sound like a
vowel, but is a consonant
9. Use each
spelling word in a sentence. Correct spelling and grammar matter.
10. Draw and
color a picture. "Hide" the words in the picture. Do
not color over the words.
11. Write
your spelling words on cards (make two sets) and play "Memory Match"
with them against a sibling or parent.
12. Use a
thesaurus to write a synonym for each word.
13. Write a
letter to a friend/relative, in proper letter format, using your spelling
words. Underline each word.
14. Write
tongue twisters for using at least 12 of your spelling words. Example-
spelling word: some- Sally saw some seals
in the sea.
15. Write
your words by arranging the letters in alphabet pasta. Glue them on paper
or do it on a table or counter at home.
16. Cut
out letters from headlines or ads in newspapers or magazines. Use the letters
to spell your spelling words. Paste the letters on paper.
17. Write
a song using all of your spelling words.
18. Use your spelling words to write a short story. Your story must include all
of the words.
19. Use
a dictionary to write a definition for each word.
20. Scrambled words-Write your words, then write them again
with the letters mixed up.
21. Locomotive Words - Write the entire list end-to-end as one long
word, using different colors of pens or crayons for each word.
As a side note--all of these ideas were duplicated on multiple websites. I chose the ones that I knew would fit our family and ones we were already doing. I also modified the ideas on these sheets so that they would be appropriate and work well for my kids. It was interesting to see that many people are using the same spelling activities.
As a side note--all of these ideas were duplicated on multiple websites. I chose the ones that I knew would fit our family and ones we were already doing. I also modified the ideas on these sheets so that they would be appropriate and work well for my kids. It was interesting to see that many people are using the same spelling activities.
So, that's how my family does spelling. A notebook, paper, lists, and a few copies!
I have spelling power and never did implement their activity cards- which I think was detrimental. I'm definitely going to have to steal your activity sheets! And the pre/post test idea. Thanks ;)
ReplyDeleteI have the activity cards too. They don't publish them anymore... I didn't have time to look through them to make these lists, but some of the ideas were from cards I'd read in the past. I'm going to use them to make new activity lists when my kids need change, but I plan to look through and make lists because it is overwhelming to me to have the kids go over and pick 1 card from the huge box ;) that they want to do. My kids seem to get stuck when they have too many choices :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been interesting with Autumn because she's just starting to hit the wall before Christmas. When I started with Autumn in 3rd grade, she tested at 6th grade spelling, but I wanted to make sure I didn't miss any words. And I felt skeptical. Some weeks we'd test through 3 or 4 lists without any errors. She's finally at the point where she gets several words wrong in a list. She's doing mid-5th grade spelling lists in 4th grade and I realized that I have still been rushing her through the process and now it's time for me to slow down with her. She really does need a week to reinforce the words now. :) Sami needs the week with the words from the beginning. It doesn't click the same way for her. It's been really interesting to see how differently their brains work!
I'm glad you like the activity sheets! :)