A Champion’s Legacy in Fourth Grade Spelling
My husband’s claim to fame is All County Fourth Grade Spelling Bee Champion. He recounts this accomplishment with all the gusto of a “back in my day” dad tale, and I believe his parents still had the trophy on display when we were first married.
Ironically, his misstep in the state competition was the word incompetent. “That was incompetent” is likely to be heard in our house when a spelling error is discovered.
While this running joke brings a giggle in our house, finding a spelling curriculum is no laughing matter for many families. Thankfully, Essentials families have all that is needed for a robust spelling experience in the Essentials of the English Language Curriculum, Fifth Edition.
The Essentials curriculum, an all-inclusive Language Arts program, includes resources to prepare your fourth through sixth graders to become competent spellers.
Spelling Words and Patterns: A Foundational Approach
In the article Insights on Spelling on pages 20-23 in the Essentials of the English Language Curriculum, Fifth Edition, Leigh Bortins compares students who are good spellers with those who need to work a bit harder. Naturally gifted spellers seem to have an innate ability to decode reading patterns. This helps them to pick up spelling with ease. Other students can be taught to decode the patterns in reading and spelling. It just takes a bit more time.
Regardless of proficiency in spelling, Leigh Bortins encourages everyone to study basic phonics and spelling rules. It’s also important to master the one thousand most commonly used words in the English language. A trusted list of these common words can be found in Spelling Plus by Susan Anthony.
My children fall into the category of needing to work harder at spelling. However, even my husband, a natural speller, had to memorize lists of words to gain his spelling achievements all those years ago.
How Essentials Helps Students Learn to Spell
The Essentials of the English Language Curriculum, Fifth Edition contains three lists from Spelling Plus in each week’s lesson. Each list groups words by specific spelling rules. Students should be able to progress through the lists with each tour of Essentials.
For example, a first-tour student would study List A (an appropriate fourth grade spelling list) each week and then progress to List B and C in the following years. There are also homophones included, which work great for vocabulary words. Choose the list that works best for your student. Circle a child’s frequently missed words and insert them periodically for review
Are you looking for a comprehensive English Language program? Listen to this Everyday Educator podcast to learn more about the Essentials program.
Engaging Ways to Practice Spelling Words
Spelling practice doesn’t have to be boring! Traditional methods like copying lists, flashcards, and practice tests are still valuable. However, there are plenty of creative ways to make spelling fun, especially for struggling spellers:
- Get Moving: Try exercising, swinging, or bouncing on a trampoline while chanting spelling words. Physical activity can help reinforce learning and memory.
- Use Hands-On Tools: Fidget toys, colorful pens, and puzzles can make spelling practice more engaging and interactive.
- Incorporate Sensory Activities: Writing words in sand, using magnetic letters, or even spelling with playdough can add a tactile element to learning.
By making spelling practice enjoyable, students can develop confidence and improve their skills in a way that feels more like play than work!
Spelling Support with CC Connected
Many families find the Essentials Spelling videos in the Learning Center of CC Connected to be advantageous. They are housed in the week they appear in the curriculum. The videos model the structure of spelling assessment that you could recreate or play while you sit with your student.
You can prepare the video by skipping to the appropriate list. Pause the video between each stated word to write it down. At the end of the list, help them to check their work. This self-assessment can be a beneficial learning tool that solidifies the words in their minds.
Spelling Rules vs Spelling Lists in Essentials
You may have noticed that there are Spelling and Punctuation Rules in the Essentials of the English Language Curriculum, Fifth Edition. The Spelling Plus lists are grouped by specific rules, which are different for each tour of student. The spelling rules do not align with the spelling lists, but they do have the significant purpose of studying basic phonics.
The twenty-four basic rules of spelling for all students to memorize each week are found on pages 298-299 of the Essentials of the English Language Curriculum, Fifth Edition. Along with punctuation and capitalization, these rules are designed to help students with the editing exercises found in the Student Packet of the curriculum.
Good news! There are weekly videos in the Essentials Learning Center for this task as well. The Elements of Essentials weekly videos offer the spelling and punctuation rules and homophone practice. The videos are generally less than ten minutes to keep your student engaged.
Becoming a Confident Speller
Every Essentials student is unique in their spelling abilities and giftedness, but all can benefit from a structured and effective approach to spelling. The Essentials of the English Language Curriculum, Fifth Edition, provides a comprehensive spelling program that supports students at every level—whether they are naturally strong spellers or need extra practice to decode patterns and master rules.
With weekly spelling lists, engaging activities, CC Connected resources, and a focus on phonics and spelling rules, this curriculum equips students with the tools they need to succeed. For families looking for a solid homeschool spelling program, Essentials offers a clear and practical path to mastering fourth grade spelling and beyond. And in the end, developing strong spelling skills is far more valuable than a trophy any day!
Need more resources for your Essentials students? Check out these helpful materials:
- Touring CC Connected: “Essentials”
- How to Customize the Essentials Program
- Why is Essentials So Important?
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