Spelling

Here’s a link: http://www.resourceroom.net/OGLists/index.asp
Look for “six ways to practice spelling” (don’t know if you’d want PDF or HTML or I’d give the whole link, or the version of it on this site).

Just how bad is the spelling? How is the reading? What else is being done?

Make a poster board with sentences on it with blanks for spelling words. Use clues in the context of the sentence that eludes to what the word that goes in the blank should be. Put the spelling words on sticky notes at the bottom of the poster board, let the students come up one by one and fill in the blanks with the sticky notes.
Example: I will eat with my_______. (fork)
This will also build the students self esteem because there is no chance for failure.

Also at home parents can use flash cards with the students. Repetition will help the students as well.

short question, short answer:

1. phonics, NOT just basic consonant sounds, but the “advanced code”.

2. logic, spelling presented by commonalities, not random lists of words from reading.

3. starting where the student IS, even if that is Grade 1, not where you think he should be.

4. discussion and real teaching, never just memorizing lists.

5. using spelling in real writing assignments, not as a subject from and for another planet

6. paying attention to spelling of each and every new word met in reading; build a reading and spelling and comprehension vocabulary together.

7. given the above (vital!), repetiton and repetition and more repetition.