Taking the Struggle Out of Spelling: Level 4 (3rd-5th Grade)

In this 8-week course, I will teach spelling strategies in a logical, sequential order. Through clear direct instruction, students will have the opportunity to learn exactly what they need to know in order to become strong spellers. 

Each class will start with a review of spelling strategies. We'll review how to pronounce for spelling (emphasizing the unaccented syllables to hear vowel sounds), analyzing different parts of words (prefixes, suffixes, root), syllable division and syllable types (closed syllable, open syllable, C+le syllable, vowel team, r-controlled), and suffix rules (when to double the final consonant, drop the e, change y to i). 

After a short review, we will focus on a new phonogram each week. 
Week 1: TCH
Week 2: DGE
Week 3: Ways to make the /j/ sound
Week 4: The 4 sounds of the letter y
Week 5: The /er/ sound spelled OR as in works
Week 6: The sound of /oo/ spelled EW
Week 7: Short /e/ spelled EA
Week 8: The sound of /n/ spelled KN

After learning the rules surrounding the new phonogram that week, students will have the opportunity to use a whiteboard and marker or paper and pencil to practice writing words containing that phonogram. After word practice, they'll have the chance to apply several rules as I dictate sentences they write.