This week your child will use the 20 words selected to complete 2-3 spelling activities of their choice. A full list of spelling activities for term 1 can be found on the inside cover of their spelling journal. Throughout the term, students are encouraged to choose a variety of activities to help them practice spelling, reading and writing thier spelling words.
Spelling homework should be recorded in their spelling notebook and turned in to their teacher by Friday to show that they have been completing the assignments. If your child chooses an activity that can not be recorded, such as jumping jacks, simply write this word jumping jacks in their agenda and then initial that you witnessed them doing the activity.
Tonight Riley and I played a quick game of memory. She wrote the word on one card while I wrote the matching word on another. Once all the words were written we placed the cards face down and proceeded to play memory using her spelling words. Once she found a match I encouraged her to spell the word, without looking at the card. This activity took about 20-25 minutes. We did however take a break after we wrote out all the words and before we actually played the game.
On Thursday night your child will be asked to take a pretest on their spelling words, this can also be done in his spelling notebook. On Friday, in class, your child will be given the actual test and asked to spell all 20 words. If 20 words appear to be too challenging for your child, simply send me a note and we will cut the list down to 15.
This week I assigned Monday and Wednesdat as Spelling homework nights. I am very flexible with spelling homework. As long as your child turns in the spelling notebook on Friday, you can choose any night of the week to do your 2-3 spelling homework assignments. The assignments are listed from easiest to hardest on the template we sent home. If the activites under 3 and 2 are too easy...move onto the last two columns and try those activities for a challenge.
At the end of term 1 if your child has completed all the activites listed, they will earn themselves a NO HOME WORK pass to be used in term 2 or 3.
COMING SOON!!
This year the third grade team is working together to build spelling skills through a program called Words their Way. Starting next week students will be grouped across classes according to their developmental spelling ability. All third grade students were given a spelling inventory assessment, based on the results your child will be placed in the group that will best suit his/her spelling abilities. Word lists will be given out each week that follow a pattern. Students will be reassessed throughout the year to make sure we continue to meet their individual needs. More information regarding this exciting program will be given out at open house on Set 19th.
How will you know what group your child is in? I will give all students and families the name of the group your child is in based on their stage of spelling development. Lists will be sent home each Monday and quizez will be given on Fridays. Lists will alsobe posted under the 3rd grade website Spelling section.
I hope this helps to clarify any questions you may have. We understand that this , for most, is the first time the students have had spelling words and homework choices. Please remember that no homework is worth tears. Be sure to monitor your childs work and let us know when the words/homework become to challenging or appear to be too easy.
Thanks for your support in this new and exciting approach to spelling!