Spelling
In the past few years, I have noticed that spelling has become increasingly difficult for my students. Some of my students spell extremely well, but others struggle tremendously. I believe that spelling will be important to my students as they become adults. They will need to be able to write cover letters, fill out job applications, and answer e-mails. I found several resources that I believe will help as I try to teach spelling to my sixth graders.
Spelling City
Spelling City is a great site for parents, teachers, and students. As a teacher, you can save custom word lists to the site, and students can use the site to practice their words. The basic membership is free and includes spelling games and custom word lists. You can also upgrade to a premium membership that has a yearly cost. Information about using the site can be found HERE.
Spelling City is a great site for parents, teachers, and students. As a teacher, you can save custom word lists to the site, and students can use the site to practice their words. The basic membership is free and includes spelling games and custom word lists. You can also upgrade to a premium membership that has a yearly cost. Information about using the site can be found HERE.
Spelling with Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a reading disorder that is a problem for some students. This link takes you to an article that helps teachers make accommodations for students with dyslexia. Teachers identify students with dyslexia by working closely with families. Teachers can recommend that students complete testing to identify dyslexia. The article also specifically addresses what causes spelling issues for students.
Dyslexia is a reading disorder that is a problem for some students. This link takes you to an article that helps teachers make accommodations for students with dyslexia. Teachers identify students with dyslexia by working closely with families. Teachers can recommend that students complete testing to identify dyslexia. The article also specifically addresses what causes spelling issues for students.
Spelling Lists for Grades 1-5
This article from the Reading Rockets web-site explains to teachers what words students should know between first and fifth grade. Even though there is not a sixth grade list, I think these words would be useful as a tutoring list or as a pretest to a spelling unit. Choosing words from the fourth and fifth grade lists will let teachers know which students need help with spelling.
This article from the Reading Rockets web-site explains to teachers what words students should know between first and fifth grade. Even though there is not a sixth grade list, I think these words would be useful as a tutoring list or as a pretest to a spelling unit. Choosing words from the fourth and fifth grade lists will let teachers know which students need help with spelling.
AAA Spell Words and Lessons
AAA Spell provides weekly word lists for sixth grade. The site also lets teachers know exactly what spelling rule is being focused on with each list. As an extension activity, I would have my students brainstorm more words that follow the same rule. The site also provides lists for first through fifth grade that could be used with struggling students.
AAA Spell provides weekly word lists for sixth grade. The site also lets teachers know exactly what spelling rule is being focused on with each list. As an extension activity, I would have my students brainstorm more words that follow the same rule. The site also provides lists for first through fifth grade that could be used with struggling students.
The Spelling Mistakes Song
KidsTV123 created a song that highlights commonly misspelled words. If students learn this song, it could help correct some problems. I would play this song in the background for a few days in class until the students know the words. Teachers could also pull certain rules from the video to teach in depth.
KidsTV123 created a song that highlights commonly misspelled words. If students learn this song, it could help correct some problems. I would play this song in the background for a few days in class until the students know the words. Teachers could also pull certain rules from the video to teach in depth.
Spelling Strategies Posters:
1. What do I do if I don't know how to spell a word?
This poster helps students use various strategies to help spell unknown words. Teachers could hang the poster in the classroom as a reminder for students.
2. Rules for Plurals
The second poster focuses on how to change words into plurals. Students often misspell words as they change them into the plural form. Teachers could either hang the posters throughout the room, or students could have a small version printed for their writing notebooks.
1. What do I do if I don't know how to spell a word?
This poster helps students use various strategies to help spell unknown words. Teachers could hang the poster in the classroom as a reminder for students.
2. Rules for Plurals
The second poster focuses on how to change words into plurals. Students often misspell words as they change them into the plural form. Teachers could either hang the posters throughout the room, or students could have a small version printed for their writing notebooks.
Spelling Games
FunEnglishGames.com creates exciting games that cover a variety of topics. They have a section that focuses specifically on spelling. Some of the games are easy, but other games are challenging. I spent quite a bit of time playing the Spider Man game! Students have to create words from a selection of letters. It reminded me of Scrabble. Another game requires students to guess a word from clues given.
FunEnglishGames.com creates exciting games that cover a variety of topics. They have a section that focuses specifically on spelling. Some of the games are easy, but other games are challenging. I spent quite a bit of time playing the Spider Man game! Students have to create words from a selection of letters. It reminded me of Scrabble. Another game requires students to guess a word from clues given.
Free Printable Spelling Worksheets
Students can practice spelling with these free printable worksheets. Some of the worksheets are cloze style, others have the students determine if the word has too many letters, and others are games like word searches and crossword puzzles. The sheets are provided free of charge.
Students can practice spelling with these free printable worksheets. Some of the worksheets are cloze style, others have the students determine if the word has too many letters, and others are games like word searches and crossword puzzles. The sheets are provided free of charge.