Spelling Skills Lab for 6th-8th: Phonics, Vocab, Tricky Words and Spelling Rules
In this ongoing lab, students will improve spelling skills by reviewing (and sometimes learning new) spelling rules in fun and practical exercises.
Kirsten Fairbanks
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(8)
What's included
1 live meeting
30 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1 hour per week. I will provide a practice sheet after class each week for students to practice the skills they have learned in class.Assessment
Once a month I will test students whose parents/caregivers want their student tested. I will provide a grade for students whose parents/caregivers want them to receive a letter grade. For those who don't want formal grades or tests, I am always happy to provide observations and feedback at parent or caregiver request.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 6 - 7
In this small group lab, students will get grow in their spelling ability. At the beginning of class, we will do a quick ice-breaker game to get to know one another and set the stage for fun, relaxed learning. Next, learners will get a short lesson and a short, fun exercises to learn spelling rules and exceptions. When time allows we will play a second game, and we will often have time for two spelling exercises in a meeting. This is because all lessons, exercises, and homework are made to be bite-sized, short and sweet. This creates a low-stress feeling of accomplishment in students who may be otherwise intimidated by spelling. I will provide a practice sheet of homework for students to do between meetings. Once a month I will give a short, low-pressure test for students whose families want testing. I will award a certificate of achievement to students who get 100% on their tests, and I will offer make-up tests for those who desire them. Students can retest any number of times until they achieve 100%. This class works for small groups and as a one-on-one tutoring lab. It is a class I have taught in person with great success to students from 3rd through 8th grades. The class works best for kids who have some experience with spelling but are not yet confident in their abilities. It is not best suited for learners who are working with dyslexia or dysgraphia. If you have thoughts or questions about this please don't hesitate to message me to discuss. I look forward to working with your student on spelling confidence and competence! Proposed schedule, subject to change: Week of Monday, October 31: Homophones -e and -ee endings Week of Monday, November 7: Open- and closed syllables Week of Monday, November 14: Homophones -ew and -oo Week of Monday, November 21: Homophones -ie and -y Phonemic approach - helps beginning spellers learn the relationships between spoken sounds and written letters and then apply them to spelling Morphemic approach - exposes advanced spellers to prefixes, bases, and suffixes Whole-word approach - gives spellers at all levels the meaning and root of a word and shows how the word's spelling is influenced
Learning Goals
Students who are struggling will gain confidence in spelling by practicing phonics, spelling rules, and rule exceptions in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
I will refer to Spelling Mastery and All About Spelling programs
Joined August, 2022
5.0
8reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
When I’m not teaching youth and littles, I work as a health- and life coach with a passion for supporting moms, teens, and children. In my capacity as a coach I’ve led groups and taught classes and workshops on health, wellness, ecology, resilience, and joy for over 10 years.
As it has for everyone, the Covid era has made even more clear to me just how important positive connection is for kids and teens. I'm grateful to Outschool for being an avenue for making friends and developing positive relationships in the lives of our young people.
About me: My name is Kirsten Fairbanks and I’m a teacher and homeschool educator in my third decade of sharing my love of learning with kids Preschool through 8th Grade. I have been teaching small groups online and out in the world since long before I began homeschooling my oldest child in 2012.
In my off time you are likely to find me working on my tiny urban permaculture homestead, practicing Latin, volunteering, camping, and hiking. I love exploring Northern California nature and culture with my family, including our sparky chihuahua/terrier, Earth. She is the first dog I've ever had and she fills a dog-shaped hole I didn't know was there in my heart.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$10
weekly1x per week
30 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-13
4-7 learners per class
