Each student will have a spelling notebook, which consists of pages divided into thirds vertically. Each Monday, the students take a spelling pre-test over their list of spelling words in the first column. These words usually cover some spelling/sound pattern, such as making words ending in 's' plural, words that have the same sounds spelled differently, etc. This first set of words are then checked, and any misspelled words are written into the second column. The students then add on to the list to form their weekly spelling list. The words added on come from a variety of places.

First, they come from words the students have misspelled on written work in the past. Whenever I notice a misspelled word in written work, I will write the word on the inside of the student's notebook. As the students include these words on spelling lists, they cross off the word on the notebook. If they misspell the word again in written work, it is added to the folder again, and then eventually added to a spelling list again.

If the student does not have enough words on their folder (usually this means they are pretty good spellers), the classroom has a list of words they have compiled that include words we have used in discussions, words dealing with a particular subject matter we are studying (such as dinosaurs, plants, current events, etc.), or simply words the students have added to the list, because they like the word. These words can be used as spelling words, if the students have no more on their notebook list.

The students continue to add words to their list until they have 7-15 words.  When they have formed their list, I check the lists to make sure the students have included their notebook words, if applicable, and if they have included additional words, and ensure the words are appropriate for that student. I also verify the words are spelled correctly. If the list is approved, I initial the top of the list and the student then copies the list onto the third column of the page. This third column is then cut off the page and used to take home the spelling words to study at home. This system ensures the students have a list of spelling words at home and at school, so they can study them at either place, as well as providing individualized spelling for each student. 

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