Spelling With Confidence - Spring Semester

Some learners don't find spelling to be intuitive, and it can easily frustrate them and cause discouragement. However with explicit, systematic, and direct instruction of spelling rules and patterns, coupled with lots of multi-sensory practice to get these spelling rules and patterns to stick, the spelling part of our brain can get stronger and learners can start to make sense of spelling! 

This weekly spelling class is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading and spelling. Each week in class we will learn one spelling rule or pattern. Visual and varying formats in the class will keep learners engaged while providing lots of practice time. This helps the new rules & patterns stick and become part of the learner’s spelling repertoire! Each lesson will help learners recognize sounds in the English language, decode words, and spell words correctly by relying on spelling rules and patterns, rather than on memory. A supportive, positive, encouraging, and engaging environment will be maintained throughout our class time. This class is a safe space for learners to commiserate about how tricky spelling can be and also be with others who feel similarly. 

Learners are welcome to start this course anytime during the spring semester as the spelling patterns learned are reviewed throughout the course. And it is not necessary to complete the Fall Semester course before taking this course. 

Learning spelling rules and patterns helps to make sense of spelling, gives you more control over spelling words, and takes the guesswork out of spelling. This makes spelling less intimidating and boosts your spelling confidence, and that is what this class will help you with! When we can explain why a word is spelled the way it is, it helps us remember it better, feel more in control of our spelling, and apply it later when writing.

Each class will follow the same format:

1.	Welcome & Would You Rather Question
2.	Spelling Sound Warm-Up
3.	Spelling Lesson
4.	Dictation of Words
5.	Activity to practice today’s lesson
6.	Oral Spelling
7.	Oral Decoding
8.	Sentence Dictation
9.	Word Constructor Challenge

Two homework assignments will be given after each class. One will be an audio file with dictated sentences. The other assignment is to write a short story (one paragraph) using words that follow this week’s spelling pattern. This allows you to apply what was learned in class. Once each one-page homework is submitted, the teacher is usually able to respond within 24 hours with corrections, detailed feedback, and encouragement. 

A Word List will also be provided each week with suggested multi-sensory activities to do at home to enable the learner to interact with and master the words covered in class. 

Please note the price of this class includes class time together, as well as the anticipated time spent by the teacher outside of class providing materials for work to be done at home and giving feedback on work turned in. 

To make this a comprehensive spelling class for your learner, the following schedule is recommended:

Day 1 – Attend Class
Day 2 – Word List – Choose 2 activities
Day 3 – Homework – Dictated Sentences
Day 4 – Word List – Choose 2 activities
Day 5 – Homework – Write a short story (one paragraph)

The workbook listed below is optional for those who want even more practice. It can be found on amazon. It will complement what we learn in class, as the exercises go in the same order that the material is covered in class. 
•	How to Spell Workbook 3 by Laura Toby Rudginsky & Elizabeth C. Haskell