SPELLING REFERENCE BOOK
ADDers are notoriously poor spellers. Before I came up with this strategy, I spent too much time helping students spell the most frequently misspelled words in the English language. It was embarrassing for students to keep asking how to spell the same word over and over and I was frustrated with my inability to help.
This strategy will save time and instill a feeling of control over spelling problems for students.
Here’s how it works.
If a student needs to know the spelling of a word, he/she must first check the SPELLING REFERENCE BOOK. I am extremely consistent in requiring a student check the SPELLING REFERENCE BOOK first. After a while, students learn to check it without asking me. If the word is included, the problem is solved.
Students can usually recognize a word they can’t spell. If they can’t find it, I point it out for them. If the word is not in the booklet, I write it in or have the student write it.
Students are encouraged to mark words they frequently use with highlighters. Each child has a personal book. Students are justly praised for thinking of long and more difficult words that are not already in the book.
I have an adult SPELLING REFERENCE BOOK available as well. We don’t write in it. Older students are encouraged to use it to locate words.
WHAT IF
I’ve been asked if using a dictionary isn’t just as good. Well, my feeling on that is the dictionary pages are too cluttered with pictures, italicized words, and other distracting things. If a student wants to know how to spell a word, don’t make it harder than it has to be.
Use the dictionary for definitions, syllabication, origins of words and parts of speech study, not to figure out how to spell a word!
10/30/98 - This year, with help from my two para professionals and co-teachers, we have developed a new list of words -- essentially our own Spelling Reference Book. If you want a
copy -- click here for a link to it for you to download.
Download
Spelling Book You must be a member of ADDchoices yahoo group (FREE) to
download this.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
SMILE
INTERNET users: You may copy and print this for your own use and freely distribute to others. You cannot sell this information. You cannot use this information on your own web site but feel free to provide a link here. Please include my email address & phone # on anything you copy and print for others. Thanks. BJ Madewell ADDchoices@yahoo.com (316) 733-9532