About a month ago I was struggling to find a way to help my oldest learn spelling. I needed something more flexible than a Mon-Fri routine. Something to fit in to my Day 1-4 rotation. I wanted something that eliminated busy work, as he gets so frustrated doing things with no purpose, like writing out words from a list he may already know how to spell. We had tried All About Spelling, which I liked but he didn't.
One day while searching the internet, yet again, for an idea I came across a website with the perfect Spelling Curriculum. Best part...so simple, so flexible, he loves it so much better.
I have modified the idea for our needs. I have a simple index card file and a stack of index cards. I have one divider to separate his daily words from his review words. I printed word lists from off the internet to use as a reference. I have 15 words in his daily spelling pile, writing one word on each card (this number could be increased or decreased based on the child's needs and abilities). Each day I have him spell the words. He usually spells orally, but for longer words I encourage him to write them down. I make two piles...right & wrong.
He takes the "wrong" pile and writes out the words 5 times as he spells them out loud, and we go over the spelling. We discuss tips for remembering the spelling, or just pointing out "how" the word is spelled...are there any special rules to remember, phonograms to remember, etc.
I take the "right" pile and put a star on the back of each, and place back in the box. I also keep one card at the front of the box with a running list of words he spells wrong in his school writing, or words he frequently asks me to spell.
Reviewing Words: After he has 5 stars on the back of a card it is shifted to the review pile (behind a divider in the box). As cards are removed from the daily pile I replace them with new words from my running list or printed list. Each day I take 5 words from the review pile to have him spell. If spelled right a tally is placed on the back. After 5 tallies I remove it from the box entirely to save for future child. If spelled incorrectly, he will add to his study pile (I haven't had this happen yet, so I'm not sure yet if I would add it back to the daily pile to earn another 5 stars or what...I will decide if and when he mis-spells a review word)
This has been so wonderful for us, and he remembers the words. It is extremely flexible. We go through a larger amount of words much more efficiently. He isn't having to write out words every day that he already spells with confidence. Plus, I love the simplicity!
