We do spelling a little differently this year! Basically here's how it works: On Wednesdays we get a spelling contract. Each child can chose up to (and beyond) 4 activities to practice our weekly words. They are differentiated, so there is something for all abilities. Four activities, completed neatly and correctly, will earn an A, three activities a B, and so on. We have practiced choosing wisely, and each child has a quick conference with me to make sure their choices are doable! Each morning, we have about 15 minutes or so to work on the contract. I reminded them each day to work on it, but soon they won't need the reminder! Most kiddos like to start on it as soon as they get here in the morning. We keep the contract in our green homework folders...1. so we know where it is and hopefully won't lose it and 2. if we chose to work on it at home, we can! I find that this approach gives the kids numerous benefits... accountability, time management skills, empowerment in choice, not having lots of Friday tests, and not all pencil/paper/worksheets!
The contract is due on Tuesday of the following week, so the kids have an entire week to work on it. We test on Tuesdays...hopefully that is written in our student agenda books each week. Whew!
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