The program we use is called Spelling Connections. It has three basic components to it. They are: Phonics, Handwriting and Spelling. We work on all three sections simultaneously throughout the year. The Phonics and Handwriting sections will be done at school. The Spelling section will be done at both home and school.
Spelling words will come home Monday afternoons. Spelling tests will be given on Friday mornings. We will begin the year with everyone having the same word lists so the children can get used to the program. I will start differentiating spelling programs in October.
Dictation tests are also given on Friday mornings. I use the words from their spelling lists to create two sentences for them to write. Scores are based on spelling and conventions. Dictation tests help students see the importance of hearing sounds in words in writing while also using punctuation and spacing correctly.
We also use a program called Make-a-Word. We do this three to five times a week. Students practice manipulating five to ten letters to make various words. This helps students grow phonetically in reading and writing.
