Spelling Books

by Jenny Helms

Misspelling words is a common denominator among students. Although classroom spelling lists and tests are valuable when teaching spelling, all words students misspell will never get covered in class. In addition, the large 5-, 6-, and 7-letter words are not the only words that confuse students. Common words that teachers may not think to put on a classroom-spelling list also pose problems.

So how can teachers help each individual student to improve his/her own spelling? An easy and effective way to allow students to be responsible for their own spelling lists is to provide all students with their own individual spelling books.

Give all students a small spiral notebook (about the size of 3 x 5 index cards). Instruct them to go through the book and list one letter of the alphabet at the top of each page . (For instance, the letter “A” at the top of the first page, the letter “B” at the top of the second page and so on until the entire alphabet is listed in the book.)

The next step is to take one of each student’s writing assignments and highlight all misspelled words. Then have the student look up each word from his/her own writing assignment in the dictionary and get the correct spelling to write in his/her spelling book on the appropriate page.

In this way, students’ spelling books are individualized, containing misspelled words from their own writing assignments. As they come across words they do not know how to spell, they will be responsible for writing them in their spelling book.

Spelling books can be used from this point in several ways. Each week, quiz individual students orally on ten words in his/her book. Start at the beginning of the alphabet and work through the book. Since students will continually be adding to their books, once you finish the alphabet, return to “A” and start with the new words listed. As you quiz the student, highlight words spelled correctly so they know they have mastered them. If students misspell the word again later in the year, they rewrite it in their book. Quizzes are an ongoing occurrence every week so all students are responsible for studying their spelling words. Consider devoting class time for them to study their words with partners or individually.

Students’ individual spelling books can also be reference books. Each time students misspell a word, they list the word in their spelling book. As they write, they can refer to their spelling book for the misspelled word instead of the dictionary. It is faster and easier.

These are just a few of many ways in which to use spelling books. The idea is that all students are working to improve their own spelling. A word that is simple for one student to spell may be another student’s most often misspelled word.