Spelling Best Practices

1. Don't ask kids to spell things they can't read
2. A classroom won't have the same spelling words
1. Use a diagnostic spelling test to check reading/writing level
2. group kids at least in threes, they will progress best if at their appropriate level
   
3. "group 1 your word is...."
4. Giving kids words within their level allows them to progress and build confidence
5. focus on patterns and sorting not on memorizing a list
1. ie- you spelled pain, now spell rain, oh I know you can spell brain
1. Better to sort then to write and rewrite as a way to teach spelling
1. sort helps kids because they need to make choices about the word