At Willow Springs Elementary, we believe that spelling words are not truly "mastered" until they are spelled correctly in everyday writing. Students often memorize words for the spelling test, but do not transfer this knowledge to their writing.

I will teach spelling lessons and strategies such as spelling rules, phonics, and word patterns. Students will have classroom assignments to practice their spelling skills in context. For homework each week, students will have an "individual list" of spelling words that need to be learned. At least two of these words will come from the content area and will be of my choosing. The rest of the words will come from Word Wall Words, misspelled words in student writing and student choice. I would appreciate it if parents would assist their child with these words. I will send home a practice test form to be completed and returned on Thursday.

Students will be assessed in their everyday writing. Any classroom assignment may be graded for spelling, so science, social studies, language arts, and math writing papers may be assessed. In addition, more traditional tests will be given each Friday.