Spelling Test

Yes, the spelling test is still around. Many or most teachers still give a list of spelling words at the beginning of the week (or at the end of the previous week). Teachers have variations on how they do it but typically there's a list of words and a number of dictation sentences containing those words. It is often the case that the word list comes from the literature selection. In addition many teachers offer challenge words and bonus words for students with higher abilities.

Some people might wonder what the point is in teaching and learning spelling. After all, we have computers and spell check and all that.

Spelling is still important. Obviously one doesn't always have spell check. Spelling also helps you learn and understand the conventions of English spelling which is important with phonics and learning to read. And, just as an aside, spelling is VERY important in my current job as a bookseller. The book searches I do on the computer do NOT forgive bad spelling. Don't spell a word right and I am not likely to find the book I'm looking for.

Today's 2nd grade spelling test included the following words: late, made, ate, same, cave, and lake. Some of the challenge and bonus words included etiquette, manners, and message. The sentences, with emphasis on words with a long vowel sound and a silent e, were:

1. She came late.
2. We ate the same grape!
3. Can you see the cave by the lake?

Many of the students who are English Language Learners have a lot of difficulty with the sentences, especially early in the year. That I hope explains what I saw on one of the tests when I was grading them during recess:

She wrote 2. we ate the same crap!