Spelling Words Grade 2 Help!!

[talm2082]

The other 2nd grade teacher I work with uses spelling words that have 6 or 7 words per test. Last year was my first year teaching, my students got 100's and then students who missed a word did not do well. I want to move my list to 10 words to make it more challenging for some and fair for others.

My question: Before I do this, are there any ideas out there for giving some students a different number of words per there level? Will I face difficulty from parents etc? Thank you.

[jldjdd]

I would not think you should have any negative feeback at all from parents. What can 2nd graders truly learn from so few words. My 2nd graders get 20 words which are gathered from the Dolch list and vocabulary from their reading story for the week. Plus they are dictated one complete sentence for extra credit. In second grade, we must increase their vocabulary and spelling abilities, so I believe 20 words is a must.

[talm2082]

I will look into this... 20 words? I thought 10, 15 at the most... but 20 words for all students? I will take this into serious consideration. Thank you for the feedback.

[Unregistered]

How about assigning completely DIFFERENT words to those who need a challenge? What I do is give "Bonus Spellers" a list of words that follow that same pattern as those the others are doing, but much harder. Example: If the spelling pattern is short vowels, the Bonus Spellers may have words like "alligator" or "elephant" for the short a and e sounds. I begin the year with 8 words first quarter, then progress to 10 and eventually 13 by the end of the Second Grade year. I also incorporate a dictation sentence the last quarter that uses lots of the list words as well as high frequency and former list words.

Also, I challenge students with "transfer" words . . . words that are patterned like the list words, but they do not know what these are until the test. Example: If "must" is a list word, I may give them "trust" to spell on the Friday test. This way you can see if they can transfer skill knowledge. We call these "surprise words".

Also, there is nothing wrong with fewer words for lower-level students in my opinion!

Does this help?

[talm2082]

I love the response that you sent! I can see this fitting into my classroom nicely, thank you very much. Have a great school year!

[Unregistered]

Hi!

I also teach second grade. We have 12-16 words per week for SPELLING, but also have words for our Phonics program that are separate from our spelling list, but the students are still accountable for on tests. Because the Phonics list follows rules we are learning or have learned, they are easier for them to remember. Our spelling list has 12 words, plus 4 challenge words for those who are able to handle the extra work. Those who can don't get bored; those who can't don't feel pressured.

They also learn vocabulary words in other subjects (addend in math, explorer in soc studies, etc), but are not quizzed on the spelling of those words, just their meanings at the end of a unit-- however long it may last (usually not weekly).

Lynn

[talm2082]

Lynn,

Thank you for your reply. I think that this will be helpful as well! I love all the great ideas.

Christina