Spelling

You can expect your child to have a spelling test every Friday.    Student's are given 5 core words to learn each Monday.  They record those words in their yellow spelling journal (kept in their binder - which should come home EVERY night!) under the heading "Unit __ Word Preview."  Your child will also highlight the 5 core words on their word list (kept behind the spelling tab in their binder).  

There are 26 words on each test.  The 5 core words are guaranteed to be on their Friday spelling test as well as previous core words and previous priority words.  Previous core and priority words can be found on the word list behind their spelling tab in their binder.  These words should look familiar to you and your child.  They are words they mastered in past years.   

Each week when your child receives their graded spelling test back, it is your child's responsibility to write the words they missed in their yellow spelling notebook under the heading "Words to Know or Words to Study."  Remember those words will show up again.  When looking for words to study with your child for Friday test, you should study the words under the heading "Word Preview" as well as the words under the heading "Words to Know or Words to Study."

Your child should also study the 10 challenge words for each week.  These words are also listed in your child's yellow spelling notebook, under the heading "Challenge Words."

While the district's spelling curriculum can be somewhat  confusing to explain and quite different from the way we did spelling as a kid, it is a great curriculum!  It really paves the way for solid spelling and long term learning.   

If you have any questions after reading this post, ask your child to show you their spelling notebook and explain it to you - they get it!  And of course, feel free to email me with any questions as well.  :)