[Meggie11]

I have a confession.... I hate traditional spelling programs. You know the kind where students have a set of 20 words that they need to memorize by the end of the week. This rote memorization of words is almost never applied to their writing.

Our state standard for spelling says that students will be able to correctly USE spelling patterns. To me this means that when they write a narrative or expository piece of writing they should be able to spell their spelling words correctly.

The problem is that most students will not make this jump from spelling to writing. I have several students who work really hard to memorize their spelling words and do very well on their spelling tests. However, these same students are not using the spelling patterns in their writing.

Does anyone use a spelling program that helps to bridge this gap from spelling to writing? Our school has begun to discuss this program and may have the funding to adopt a new program for next year.

[MrsCroak]

i woudl look into "Words Their Way". it allows you to create word lists according to student needs. i haven't started it, but many teachers here use this program. You may want to ask around, or do some research on it.

good luck!

[ms.teacher]

Rebecca Sitton's spelling is the best. It actually has students learn words that they will use when they write. I know feel that I am teaching skills rather than just giving a list to memorize. Our entire school uses it .

[jessi]

We use Sitton Spelling as well. This is the first year our district is using it so it takes some time to get used to (for the students and the teacher) because it's so different than we're used to with the spelling list each week. I agree with the PP though that it is a good way for students to learn words they actually use in writing. It teaches the rules and patterns for spelling.