What is the benefit of an individualized spelling program?
Most elementary teachers use a standardized spelling program for every student in their classroom. The problem, that most teachers will tell you, is that these word lists are only effective for one group of students. The rest of the class may be left unchallenged, or extremely frustrated at the difficulty. So why don’t these teachers create individualized lists? The problem is how to manage different spelling levels within the same classroom. How can this be done effectively? This was the question I hoped to answer as I struggled with this issue in my 4th grade classroom. I decided to focus my Master’s Thesis on spelling instruction, with the help of my 3rd Grade colleagues, who were already doing this! I started with research on the effectiveness of spelling instruction.
The research says…
Research has shown that schools where spelling instruction was discontinued, test scores dropped and literacy decreased. So, spelling instruction is important for young students! In a nutshell, I learned these other important points about teaching spelling skills:
- As few as 100 words are used in 50% of all writing.
- Natural spellers learn automatically how words are put together, while other students must be taught the common patterns using lists of similarly spelled words. For example: light, flight, night…
- English had relatively phonetic spelling as far back as 500 A.D. However, English has incorporated many words from other languages, and pronunciations and dialects have changed in different regions over time. Over the past 1500 years, this has created a confusing jumble of spellings.
- The unusual spelling of the word “light” may seem difficult. However, it is a common pattern, and therefore easy to learn. Learning patterns, is the key to is the key to learning spelling of many English words.
- 90% of all English words follow certain patterns and rules, and can be mastered.
- The human brain is designed to detect patterns.
How do you set up an individualized Spelling Program?
I started the creation of my individualized spelling program by creating spelling lists at 6 different levels. This was necessary to cover the different proficency levels in my classroom. I created word lists with groups of similarly spelled words, pulling words from 1st through 6th grade previously created lists. I made sure the word lists were long enough to last several months of the school year. Once the lists were completed, I created a pretest with increasingly more difficult words. After evaluating the results of the pretest, I placed students into 6 different groups. I looked at the level in which each student was somewhat proficient but was making some errors. This would give them wordlists in which they could be successful, but have room for growth.
I observed my colleagues in the 3rd grade who were successfully implementing an individualized spelling program. I took some of their ideas and made some adjustments in order for it to work in my classroom. I asked the parents to provide a 3-ring pocket folder to hold their leveled lists, weekly lists, blank half sheets for tests, and a list of daily practice activities. I put the folders together for each student. This only needs to be done at the beginning of the school year. (Your may need to change the master lists if students move up to more difficult words.) Once the folders are put together, they are given back to the students to add their own creativity. I allowed them to decorate their folders, as long as they had a title, their name, and teacher name on the front cover.
In order to generate weekly lists, cut out strips of notebook paper that include the 3 punch holes. Insert these in front of the Master list of words.
Teach Procedures
In order to successfully implement this program, teach students the procedures, repeating the steps for several weeks. On week one, have students number their place the date at the top of the first weekly list strip. Then have them copy the first 10 words from their list, taking care to spell each word correctly. Monitor this closely so students are not studying incorrectly spelled words! This will be their list for day one. Go over the list of homework options from the list you provided. This list can include pyramid spelling, writing their words in alphabetical order, writing their words in a sentence, etc. I usually instruct students to have a family member give them a practice test the day before the school test. They can turn in the practice test, graded by a parent, as their final homework activity.
Weekly Tests
How can you give tests to 25 to 30 students who all have different word lists? Since the next week’s list will include any words they missed from the previous week, every student in the class will eventually have different weekly lists. This part of the process also requires repetition and practice to teach effectively. Match students to a partner in order to give them their weekly tests. Students will trade folders with their partner after taking out a half sheet to use for the test. Partners will make sure they have their full name and date at the top of the test. They must hold the folders so their partner cannot see the words. You can match students with other students at their level or mix spelling levels, depending on what works for your students. The reality is that you will have some students who cannot read their partner’s words. Give these tests yourself or have an aide or parent do this. As students are giving the tests, walk the room and make sure words are pronounced correctly, and the test takers cannot see their word list. They will turn in their tests when finished.
Grading and Creating New Weekly Lists
Grade the student tests, record their score and return to the students at the beginning of the next week. Monitor students as they write any words they missed plus new words from their word lists. Make sure they cross off words they have already spelled correctly on the master list. The more you monitor these procedures in the beginning, they sooner they will become independent and be able to smoothly and effectively use this individualized spelling program. If you need my completed word lists, suggested daily practice activities, and procedures, see my full program: Kelly’s Individualized Spelling Program
REACH ALL OF YOUR STUDENTS!!
