Spelling

spelling-bee-clipart-newsSpelling Lists will be coming home at the beginning of each new week in the Reading Units.  These weeks may begin on any day of the week.  Check the top of the spelling list for the day we will be testing.  Below are some terms that may help you as lists come home as well as some common questions.

Pretest : Your child will take this at the beginning of each Reading unit week.  The test will have 8 words and will be stapled to the weekly spelling list.   The pretest is a measure to show you where they are beginning with the current weeks skills.  Studying the words at home every night will be important homework!

Spelling List:  Each list will have 8 on level words and include 2 beyond level words, for a total of 10 words.  Students will also have the opportunity to study the Super Challenge words on their list.  In order to receive a score of 4, your child must get a 90% or above using the on level and beyond level words and attempt to spell the Super challenge words.  If your student gets 90%+ correct spelling the on level words, they will receive a score of 3.

***The Super Challenge words will not be counted against your child’s score, but are a tool to provide a challenge for students who desire it and give them an opportunity to earn a 4.  The on level and beyond level words provide a sufficient challenge for most students.

Word Analysis/Spelling Report Card Score:  The spelling score will be factored in with a phonics decoding survey assessment and a high frequency word dictation assessment for a final score.

     4 Exceeds         3 Meets   2 approaches 1 Does Not Meet
1st quarter *Passes (90%+) Beyond level Spelling test and uses Extra Challenge Words *Passes (90%+) On Level Spelling Test *Passes less than 90% on the On level list or adjusted list.

 

Why are some reversals counted as incorrect on words and some are not?

If your child reverses a c, it does not change the letter and will not be counted as incorrect.  If they reverse a letter that changes the word, such as a b/d,  p/q,  or s/z, it changes the word and will be counted incorrect.

Is studying words nightly an expected part of 1st grade homework?

Yes, even though we work with the words in Work Stations and during Phonics Instruction, studying at home every night is very powerful and essential  in their post test success.  Studying only the night before the test does not teach mastery of the word.