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I'm sorry to be asking yet another question about dictation, but we've run across this a couple of times and I'm not for sure how it is supposed to be handled. Several times we've had words in the extra list that have words that sound the same, but are spelled differently. For instance, once we had the word jay in the list, not in a sentence. That can be a boy's name or a type of bird. If it were used as the boy's name of course it would be capitalized. In the list it wasn't capitalized. Today we had the word cell which is pronounced the same as the word sell. When using these in a spelling list, I would usually use it in a sentence to clarify how the word is being used and therefore help the dc figure out how it should be spelled. For dictation so far, I've only been saying the word and reminding them to visualize the way it was written in their passage. Is this right? May I use it in a sentence for them so they know the context or are they just supposed to remember the way it looked on the paper?

My thought would be that when they are studying the passage to prepare for the "formal" dictation assignment that this is your teaching opportunity - much like you would do with your spelling list - noting homophones and their context and common nouns now being used as proper nouns or vice versa. You are teaching the child to observe how language is used and listen. If this is reviewed well before the passage is dictated it should not be a surprise! If they miss it, then just gently remind them of the difference and do the lesson again the next day.

Patty,

I'm just chiming in to agree with Florence! Once kiddos get to the dictation, we're just dictating. Any teaching or pointing out of special punctuation, words, capitalization, homophones, etc. for the child to take note of happens prior to the dictating. I sometimes have my kiddos just trace over the "special" words, punctuation, etc. right within the passage with their pencils to make it "bolder" when they study, prior to me dictating. The tracing helps fix the "special" words or punctuation mark in their mind and call attention to it. You could also write it on a markerboard in black and point it out to call attention to it prior to dictating as well.

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you both. So far, I haven't been saying anything while they are studying their dictation. I was unsure if I should. From now on I will point out any peculiar words or spellings that need special attention. Thanks!