Literacy Speaks Volumes

This morning, I took a little time to research some ideas on teaching spelling; here are some basics that I came across several times in my research: Spelling has evolved dramatically over the last few decades, from considering spelling simply as a tool for writing to recognizing that spelling offers perhaps the best window on what an individual knows about words. It is now seen primarily as a process of conceptual learning, rather than one of rote memorization. As time has progressed, we are seeing a definite evolution in the way spelling is conceptualized. Instructional implications have emerged that build upon the twin foundations of developmental appropriateness and the logic of the English spelling system. Learning to spell is a developmental process, and for most students it requires direct facilitation and guidance. Significant amounts of reading and writing are critical in the spelling process. For children in the early years of schooling, inven...

The Research for Action conducted a study among middle schoolers to determine which words were misspelled the most often in their unedited drafts. The group analyzed 18,599 compositions to create their list of frequently misspelled words. I've created a set of flashcards for these words  in a set that is ready to print and go. I plan on using these words in the first few weeks of school in my intervention classes. Melissa Reese Etheridge for Literacy Speaks Volumes