Word Study

“Word Study” this year will be an elaboration of what we used to call “Spelling.”  We will emphasize these areas:

  • spelling
  • dictionary and phonis skills
  • editing
  • learning about word origins

No weekly memorized spelling lists!!?!?!?

  • My experience has been that many students who memorize a list of words for a Friday spelling test, misspell the same words in everyday writing experiences the following week.
  • Students are not establishing good spelling habits, or retaining memorized lists.

Instead. . . .

  • We will concentrate on words that are most frequently used in the English language.
  • These “Core Words” will be emphasized and students will be accountable for spelling them correctly in ALL of their class work, in ALL subjects, ALL of the time!

How will students learn Core Words?

  • Students will learn basic phonics and word study skills that apply to many of the Core Words.
  • We will practice with passages where students will supply the missing words (correct spelling required)
  • Students will learn to use resources such as their word study spiral and dictionary to check their work.
  • Students will have sentence dictation so they practice spelling the words in context.

What about gifted spellers?

  • The study of Word Origins will challenge students to learn words beyond the basic Core Words.
  • Students will learn dictionary skills to help expand their spelling and writing vocabulary.

Students will be given individual student dictionaries to use in all classes all year.  These dictionaries will serve as a valuable resource all year. Students must be responsible and not lose them.  I will ask for a $1 replacement cost to encourage responsibility in this area.

Students will also be keeping notes in their spiral.  This is also a valuable resource and will serve as their study guide for Word Origin tests.  These tests will be announced in advance (usually a week) and students will be asked to record test information in their agenda.  Students may take their spiral notebook home at any time for you to see thier “Word Work” however, they will be expected to have the spiral in class every day for class use.

Thanks for your help and support this year as we work to establish life-long spellers and writers!