Many kids go through a perfectionist stage. They will sometimes freeze up, choose not to write, or select different, easier words to spell. Here's what you can do.
Category: spelling
Conventions & Presentation: Solving Predictable Problems
Proper use of conventions and the aesthetics of writing pose unique challenges in an elementary writing workshop. Here are solutions to eight predictable problems you may be facing with your students.
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Three Favorite Word Wall Games
A well-planned word wall allows students to quickly access familiar high frequency words from word study instruction. As they are writing, they can simply glance up, find the word, and continue to write. With the word wall, there's no need to interrupt their work to search through a dictionary or booklet. Glancing at the word word… Continue reading Three Favorite Word Wall Games
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How to Use the Word Wall: From a Student Point-of-View
A short and sweet reminder, from a student point-of-view.
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Brave Spelling
How can we encourage our youngest writers to use brave spelling? How can we help them overcome their fear of getting it wrong?
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Give It Your Best Try…And Move On!
If you are a young kid, and you are trying to spell a word, what do you do?
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Spelling + Drafting + 2nd Grade Writers
My oldest daughter is a second grader and a whiz at spelling. Every Friday she brings home a list of "Word Wall" words for the upcoming week and asks me to "quiz" her. She knows them all every time. One of her favorite past times is writing. (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, eh?) … Continue reading Spelling + Drafting + 2nd Grade Writers
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Professional Talk: Differentiation in Word Study
I recall hearing about differentiated spelling words, for students in Word Study, the first time I visited the school I taught at in Rhode Island. I was unsure of how it would be possible to differentiate for students. Once I began teaching fourth grade in Rhode Island, I quickly learned the easiest way to find… Continue reading Professional Talk: Differentiation in Word Study
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Personal Spelling Words
Sarah wrote: I’m a little behind in your posts, but I was wondering if you would be willing to share the type of spelling program you use with your students? We have a district mandated spelling book that I abhor, so I ventured out on my own this year with Words Their Way. While I… Continue reading Personal Spelling Words
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Fixing-Up Spelling in a Writer’s Notebook
I created another video about one more spelling strategy a colleague told me about to help some of my struggling spellers with the words they frequently misspell in their writing. (I'm only going to employ this strategy in my kids' Idea Notebooks after I've secured their permission to write in their notebooks since I always… Continue reading Fixing-Up Spelling in a Writer’s Notebook
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Spelling Help
Need to assist a student who has trouble spelling while writing? Watch this video for a practical tool/tip entitled "My Fast Word Fixer."
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Spelling Sites
I tend not to focus much on spelling when I write about the teaching of writing. However, I'm well-aware that using conventions properly is extremely important. Each week, my students have eight personal words, which are drawn from their own writing and/or high-frequency words they misspell on assessments I give. [These are in addition to… Continue reading Spelling Sites
