Spelling question

[bethelmommy]

Hi Everyone,

It has been awhile since my son has missed a spelling word. Basically, he memorizes the words on the first day and gets them perfect the second day, even when I switch up the order of the words. He gets them all correct on review weeks as well. We are on unit 21 of spelling list 1. Do I need to continue to do all 4 days of spelling practice? Or, can I move on to the next unit after day 2 if he gets them correct until we get to harder word lists?

[my3sons]

Hi there! I have a few quick questions. How old is your ds? That can make a difference. Also, does he find Day 3, where you choose 3 of the words for him to use in sentences of his own and then write those 3 sentences himself, to be a bit of challenge to write properly? Thanks!

In Christ,
Julie

[bethelmommy]

Hi Julie,

Ds is 7 and finishing 1st grade. We are also in the last few weeks of the Emerging Readers if that helps. Regarding day 3, ds likes to make up sentences incorporating as many spelling words as possible and still make sense. He usually fits in 2-3 words per sentence if I give him that option. I have been writing the sentences first and then having him copy. He finds this very easy. I haven't tried having him write the sentences on his own without a model. Should I try that next?

[my3sons]

Hi Julie,

Ds is 7 and finishing 1st grade. We are also in the last few weeks of the Emerging Readers if that helps. Regarding day 3, ds likes to make up sentences incorporating as many spelling words as possible and still make sense. He usually fits in 2-3 words per sentence if I give him that option. I have been writing the sentences first and then having him copy. He finds this very easy. I haven't tried having him write the sentences on his own without a model. Should I try that next?

Thanks so much, bethelmommy! That helps so much! Your ds is doing so well - that is wonderful! In fact, IMO, your ds is ready to be more challenged. I had to laugh when I read your ds trying to use as many spelling words as possible in one sentence. I had a ds who did that. Personally, I would stop Spelling List 1 and start ds on Unit 1 of Spelling List 2. I think he is ready for that. I'd still do the words each day along with the plans as written, and eventually it will get harder for him. In 34 weeks, when he finishes Spelling List 2, he can begin Dictation Level 2. This is just my opinion though. You can always just finish out List 1. Either way, in regard to your question about writing the sentences first, I do still think that is important to do, as it models so many things - capitalization, punctuation, proper grammar/usage, appropriate size/height and uniformity of letters, etc. So, I do think it is a good idea to keep writing a model of the sentences for him to copy. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[bethelmommy]

Thanks for the advice, Julie. I agree with you that ds is ready for more of a challenge. I think we will skip ahead to the extra spelling list while I get the List 2 cards ready, then move on from there. Thanks again for the help!

[my3sons]

Glad to help!

In Christ,
Julie