Spelling

Spelling

We started a formal spelling curriculum in 2002-03. (We did begin another formal spelling curriculum several years back, but it proved to be too time-consuming to maintain.) We’re now using Spelling Power, and love it! There is a single book for ages 8 to adult, and teaching it only requires 5 minutes per child per day. Can’t beat that! There are extensive word lists, and the focus is on the most commonly used words in the English language. Each child spells as many words as they can in 5 minutes, correcting mistakes as they go. Then they learn any misspelled words in a systematic way on their own. The levels go from A – K, and roughly correspond to grades 2 – 12.

2008 – 09:

M is studying level ???
C is studying level ???
E is studying level ???
K is studying level ???
2007 – 08:

M is studying level E
C is studying level H
E is studying level B
K is studying level B
2006 – 07:

J has completed his spelling studies!
M is studying level D
C is studying level G
E is studying level A
K is studying level A
2005 – 06:

J is studying level J
M is studying level B
C is studying level D
2004 – 05:

P is studying level G (I released him from spelling this year because he’s doing so many high school & college subjects now)
J is studying level I
M is studying level B
C is studying level C
2003 – 04:

P is studying level F
J is studying level G
M is studying level A
C is studying level B
At the 2004 GCHE spelling bee, J earned 2nd place for 4th grade, and C earned 2nd place for 1st grade.
We watched the movie, Spellbound (not the old Hitchcock one!), which greatly inspired J and C to pursue a greater involvement in future spelling bees. It is a documentary that follows 8 kids to the National Spelling Bee.
2002 – 03:

P is studying level D
J is studying level D
At the 2003 GCHE spelling bee, J earned 1st place for 3rd grade, and C earned 2nd place for Kindergarten (with no formal spelling lessons yet!)
Spelling Links

School Scrabble Activities
Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee