Case
Effective Spelling test

The principal at my school is questioning my grade level giving spelling test. Our grade level currently gives sight words as spelling test. My principals argument is, "Does this benefit all students?". What do you feel about giving a grade for spelling test?

Posted on: 10/16/14 | Views: 980
Solution #1
While spelling is beneficial to the writing process, it is not always a skill that needs to be graded. Students should learn to put words together with sounds. After this phase, students should then be able to read the sight word, and apply that word in their writing. For example, in students writing journals, you could have a list of all sight words that the student can independently read. The student can then refer to this while they are writing. Not only will this give reading practice often, it will help the student learn how the word is spelled, and not feel pressured to learn spelling isolated.

I agree with this solution. I think the use of writing journals with sight words at the top is helpful because it takes away the added pressure of spelling only the word, while still teaching how to correctly spell it.

4 0
Solution #2
I feel that giving a grade fr spelling test is very beneficial. When children get into a repetitive practice of learning and spelling new words, this will help when they have to read and write. This simple skill of spelling words in the long run will help the child build their vocabulary and word knowledge skills. In addition to that, become better writers at an early age.

I feel that spelling is an important skill, and the giving of spelling test is useful, but I don't think the grade is as equally vital. I would rather use spelling tests as a base to see where the student is with their spelling and how I can help them improve.

3 0
Solution #3
I think spelling is a skill that should be monitored and graded. Learning how to spell words correctly is the first step in becoming a successful reader and writer. The grade-level could possibly discuss with the principal why spelling is important. Another solution might include using words from their science and social studies curriculum. This integration of subjects might help persuade the principal of the importance in spelling.

I do agree that spelling needs to be monitored. I am not sure about giving a grade. I feel that spelling can be included in the writing grade as one component. I agree that students need to know how to spell, but it is vital that they know how to use the word in writing too. When grading writing, I feel spelling should be a component on the rubric and graded along with punctuation, grammar, and capitalization.

Spelling is crucial on academics, it builds such a strong foundation for everything especially reading and writing. I would consider a grade, if not then the students wouldn't try their best. If the word is misspelled and you can see that phonetically they tried their best, I wouldn't mark it wrong, if they just wrote anything, I would mark it wrong.

1 0
Solution #4
The big spelling debate is one that has been quite popular in the past few years. People often argue the point of spelling due to the advanced technological state that the world we live in thrives on. I have been asked before why it matters because computers have spell check. This floored me because writing is an essential component to almost any job. Although I am not sure that grading every spelling test is beneficial to all students, it is definitely a skill that needs to be practiced. If going to take for a grade, I would be sure and give students the test in a variety of formats. For example, they could write the words as you call them out, it could be multiple choice, they could type the words, etc. Provide several opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge of words and their components.
1 0
Solution #5
I give spelling tests and I teach Kindergarten. I have been questioned about this too. I think it is important that spelling tests are given in any grade, especially in Kindergarten. Learning to read and sounding words out phonetically is key in lower grades. So in response to the principals question I would have to say that yes, it does benefit all students.
0 0
Solution #6
We give a pre-assessment to all students. After scoring this test, students are placed in groups based on what spelling features they need to work on. Then, each weeks lists are based on those features. Groups are differentiated based on their ability. This is the only way we are allowed to give spelling, as with one list good spellers are not learning much. With the differentiated spelling groups, my higher students are working on skills such as harder suffixes or derivational endings.
0 0