spelling for writing - loudoun county public schools · pdf filespelling for writing ......

Spelling for Writing ©

A Differentiated Spelling Program

For 4th Grade

Developed by Janet Warren

2012

pdf


Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..2

Instructions ………………...………………………………………………………..3

Parent Letter …………………………………………………………………………4

Worksheets…………………………………………………………………………...5

Spelling Lists…………...…………………………………………………………...12

1


Why another spelling program?

As we began a new school year, we did not look forward to using the same spelling program, with the

same lists, that our students had used since second grade. In fact, several parents had complained as

we began the usual program, and their students showed no new progress from the previous year. What

could we do differently, that would be beneficial for our students. Two years of a phonics and spelling

rules approach had progressed most students about as far as they could go with that. Excellent spelling

students were faced with a wall, in that they would be promoted to a list of words well beyond elemen-

tary level. For more challenged students, the words were well below 4th grade level. What was the

original goal of any spelling program?

What if we developed a program that featured words the students could actually use in their writing?

What if it included key words in Social Studies and Science, so students could use them properly in

essay questions? What if the program was designed for student input? And what if it was differentiated

to different student spellers? What if we made it safe for students to reach beyond their level of com-

fort, so they would challenge themselves? Would it work?

This program is not based on empirical studies, or research. It is based on what teachers know about

their students, and the needs we saw. It addresses clear goals within our classrooms. The word lists are

familiar to all teachers. We live by our word lists, and word walls. We included words for better writ-

ing that we would all like to see our students use, which they commonly find in a thesaurus. We intro-

duce them to commonly misspelled words. The program has flexibility—if your content words are dif-

ferent from ours, go ahead - change them. The program was developed in MS Publisher, but can be

converted to MS Word. The Spelling list pages are pdf’s.

Does It Work?

We started this program as an experiment, and we added to it during the year. Over and over we found

that parents and students really liked the program. The program was based on common sense needs in

our classroom. It benefitted the writers in our classroom, and all students used the content words on

tests, and in project, report, and research writing. Being exposed to commonly misspelled words is

valuable for any student, at any grade level. What was really surprising was the enthusiasm from our

students. Being able to choose their words, and being able to try, without penalty, harder words,

brought the most satisfying result. As many as 50% of the class chose to learn all of the words, often

beyond their “level”. At least another 30% tried some of the “harder” words. That is success that we

can really appreciate.

Janet Warren

2

Spelling for Writing © Program Instructions

How to use this program:

Each week students are given a copy of the current possible words. The purpose of each list should be

explained to students so that they understand the types of words offered. The first list is Words for Bet-

ter Writing (synonyms for weak or overused words) —they are asked to choose five, and write them on

the list on their assignment sheet. Then they are to copy all five Content Words, explaining that these are

words they need to know for essay questions, and written answers in Virginia Studies and Science.

(Teachers outside of Virginia can substitute other content words.) They choose the next 5 words from

the Commonly Misspelled Words list. This gives a student their 15 basic words list. Students who wish

to learn all the words are welcome to do so. Many students voluntarily do this for the challenge. How-

ever, they are graded on their 15 word list. Any additional words are considered bonus words.

There are 18 weeks of lists. We suggest that you assign spelling only when you have a 5 day week, so

that students can adequately practice their words for mastery. For the last few weeks, we create custom-

ized lists of words heavy on content and SOL testing words, to prepare for End of Year tests.

Spelling Assignments:

Included is a sheet of assignments, from which students may pick two for homework, unless the teacher

assigns alternate assignments. There are a number of creative assignments, but students also have to

write ten sentences using ten of their words, and put their words in alphabetical order. Alternate assign-

ments are included with this set. There is a syllables worksheet, and one for alphabetical order. Work-

ing on definitions can be a classroom assignment. In addition, the most important assignment, is to try

and get a written paragraph in class, once a week, that uses the Words for Better Writing.

Tests

Ask students to number 1-15 if using notebook paper. There is an included test paper form. The main

words will go on the left. Bonus words will go on the right. Students are directed to write two sentences

in the space provided at the bottom, to demonstrate mastery. Words 1-15 are considered Level 3 and ac-

count for 80 percent of the test grade. The two sentences are Level 4, and account for the challenge

points.

How well does it work?

We found in the first year that most students were very happy to have a new program that made sense to

them, and with which they had some choice about the words. Only a few students stuck with the sim-

plest words on the list throughout the year. Most chose more challenging words and fully half of most

classes chose to try all the words, putting their choice words in a list on the left, and putting their bonus

words on the right hand side. Because they can try the harder words, without penalty, more students feel

safe to try all the words.

Flexibility

This program allows for individual improvements, and development of alternative assignments. Just re-

member to keep this program accessible to 4th grade students. We want them to try and to succeed.

3

Spelling for Writing © Program

Dear Parents,

We developed the Spelling for Writing © Program because many of us expressed a desire to cre-

ate a program that would address using words in a spelling program that supported strong writing, and

which also allowed for reinforcement of content words in Science and Social Studies. Third and Fifth

Grade have also incorporated spelling programs that specifically address learning skills at their level. The

words address three aspects of spelling that we believe are key to writing success.

Students will have input into these lists by being able to choose from two of three lists – one in-

cluding stronger verbs, adjectives and adverbs for writing, and one which addresses some of the top two

hundred commonly misspelled words (misspelled is one of those!). We expect students to challenge

themselves in their choices, but we have ensured that all choices would help with their writing, from easy

to hard. In addition, students will have a group of five Science or Social Studies words that will better

reinforce SOL terms that we are using in our content areas. These 5 words are required each week, be-

cause they use these words, on tests, in essay answers that show critical thinking. We feel this new pro-

gram will address what we consider real-life spelling needs for our students.

To address the diverse needs of our students, we will also differentiate by offering modified lists

for those whose skills need strengthening in other ways. Our goal is spelling success. As students learn

to spell the words they actually use in their writing, they will be prepared for the rigorous writing require-

ments of 5th grade. We will continue to include classroom spelling activities, as well as continuing to

complete spelling homework each week. Practice is key to success, and the more the words are used, the

stronger the connection the student has – leading to spelling, and writing, success. We feel that with two

years of Word Study support already, most students need to focus now on the words they will use every

day. Spelling for Writing © is that program. Our goal is creative, diverse and strong writers, and this

program will support that goal.

Thank you,

The Fourth Grade Team

4

Spelling for Writing © Alphabetical Order

Name ___________________ Week # Date:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

5


Name _______________________________ Week ____________________

Syllable Sort—Divide word by syllables.

One syllable words

_____________________

_____________________

_____________________

Two syllable words

_____________________ ___________________

_____________________ ___________________

_____________________ ___________________

_____________________ ___________________

_____________________ ___________________

Three syllable words

_____________ _______________ _____________

_____________ _______________ _____________

_____________ _______________ _____________

_____________ _______________ _____________

Four or Five syllable words

_________ ___________ __________ ___________ ________

_________ ___________ __________ ___________ ________

6

Spelling for Writing © Test Form

Name ________________________ Date ______________

Your List Bonus Words

1.__________________________________ __________________________

2.__________________________________ __________________________

3.__________________________________ __________________________

4.__________________________________ __________________________

5.__________________________________ __________________________

6.__________________________________ __________________________

7.__________________________________ __________________________

8.__________________________________ __________________________

9.__________________________________ __________________________

10._________________________________ __________________________

11._________________________________ __________________________

12._________________________________ __________________________

13._________________________________ __________________________

14._________________________________ __________________________

15._________________________________ __________________________

Write two strong sentences, using two, or more, words from your spelling list

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

7


Homework Choices—Choose 2 Each Week

(Unless your teacher changes the assignment.)

Draw a Picture

Write your word down and

draw a picture that illustrates

the word. Complete illustra-

tions for 7 words.

Acrostic Poem

Write an acrostic poem for 3

of your longer words. Choose

from any of the three lists.

3 Times Each

Write all your words 3 times

each. Write once in print, once

in cursive and once in capitals.

Paragraph Story

Using at least5 of your words,

write a short story (at least 5

sentences long).

Blind Sort

List the three sorts—Better

Words, Content Words, and

Misspelled words. Then have

someone call out your words

and write in one of the col-

umns.

Shapes in Spelling

Write 10 of your shorter words

to create the sides of shapes.

For example, write the word

three times to create a triangle,

four time to create the sides of a

square.

Questions

Using 7 spelling words, create

7 really good questions. Be

creative and make them inter-

esting questions.

Vowels & Consonants

Write all spelling words. Circle

all vowels in the words. For

extra credit, underline all conso-

nants.

Cursive

Write all your words twice in

cursive. Please write neatly.

Sentences

Using ten spelling words,

write ten strong sentences.

These should be 4th grade

level sentences, not short,

easy sentences.

Rainbow Words

Write each word in a different

color of marker on your page.

You may alternately create a

Wordle or Tagxedo image, if

you can print it.

Build Your Skills

Write definitions for 8 of your

words. You should use only

the most common definition for

each word.

Create a Word Find

On graph paper, outline a box,

10 spaces by 10 spaces. In-

sert 10 words at random. Fill

in other spaces with any ran-

dom letters.

Synonyms

Choose 6 words, and look them

up in a thesaurus. Write down a

synonym for these words. You

may not use words from the

first column.

8


Thank you for using the Spelling for Writing Program. If you

have questions, or suggestions, please contact me at:

[email protected]

27

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