Word Study

The year is already flying by!  The third graders have been working hard and are settling into routine!  This week we kicked off our third grade word study (spelling) curriculum with the review of short vowels.  Each week we will focus on learning and reviewing helpful spelling patterns and generalizations, with the goal of students transferring this knowledge to their own writing. 

All third graders will not being having a “traditional” Friday spelling test.  As a district we have been studying best research in reading and writing instruction because of the frustration of students memorizing words for Friday, but forgetting how to spell them the next week.  Instead we will focus on other research-based strategies to help students become effective spellers in their writing.

I will include information about our weekly spelling focus on the weekly calendar sheet that comes home in the back sleeve of your child’s blue folder each Monday.  This will help you review the spelling patterns we are learning with your child at home. You can also work with your child to brainstorm and practice additional words that follow this same pattern.  At school we will work with the patterns daily, and also assess each students’ word study knowledge in their own independent writing (where it really counts!).

Each student will be given a username and password that they can use online at Spelling City.  Their username and password will be written inside their blue take-home folder for easy access.  I will upload words that match our weekly pattern to this site, and it is a great way for students to practice their spelling.  They can access this site online at http://www.spellingcity.com/meladamsd1736/ and/or download the iPad app for use at home also.  I really encourage you to take advantage of this great resource!