Do Your Kids Have Spelling Tests?

[GJM]

Just wondering if your elementary school kids have a weekly spelling test.

It seems that our school is doing away with spelling tests and teaching the kids a new way to spell. It was explained as - you teach them the word tri and then add from that.

Last year my DS did very well in spelling, this year it seems to be slipping. The kids in the class get different words, they then partner up with someone on test day and the other child gives the word. This is 3rd. grade.

My DS had the word "adaptation" - he got this word right every night we did spelling. The day of the test he gets it wrong, he told me the kid didn't say the word right. I told my DS you should know what your words are, so even if he said it wrong you should have known what the word was.

I would love anyone's thoughts on not having spelling tests and the other kids giving the words instead of the teacher. Or how is it done in your school.

 

[lemondog]

Hmm, I have never heard of that new method.

My 7yo is in 2nd grade and she still has weekly spelling tests, just like she did in 1st grade. I would imagine it's the same for the older grades as well.

 

[EthansMom]

My DS7 (second grade) has a weekly spelling "check-up" (test). There are 10 spelling words. Academically advanced kids also have 3-4 challenge words.

The teachers read out the 10 standard words. Kids have to remember the challenge words because they are not read out.

I could see how it would be difficult for your son if he was paired with another student who couldn't properly pronounce DS's spelling words. I agree that he should have been able to figure out the correct word. Maybe start working on having your DS memorize his spelling words as I do with my DS's challenge words. (I make up a sentence that uses the challenge words and have DS memorize the sentence.)

 

[mom2kazkids]

DD in 2nd grade does not have spelling tests, they have a word wall that they work on, once the word is on the wall it must be spelled right from that point on, or there is a consequence for spelling it wrong. Each student makes up their own, DD's is missing one minute of recess for each word spelled wrong. The reason behind this is last year the teacher realized that students would do really well for the test, but then two week later not be able to spell the words correctly. She does do some form of testing, but does not call it a test, I think that she says "checking progress".

DS in 3rd grade does get weekly spelling tests, 14 words plus 2 challenge words for bonus, then every 5 weeks they get 5 words from each week and 5 of the challenge words to study. The test is the 25 words and 3 of the 5 challenge words. I like this as a refresher, so that words are not forgotten later.

Barb

 

[TwinsinCA]

Yes, we have weekly spelling tests.

In First and Second grade they were a joke. My kids didn't even have to study but they also had additional "work at your own pace" lists that did require some work.

Now in third grade they do things differently. One week the whole class takes the same test. The words are easy and the list is short (12 words + 2 bonus). Then the next week the class is divided into four groups by ability. The lower groups have fewer words that are easier. The two higher groups have challenging words and more of them (20 + 5 bonus words). They keep alternating back and forth like that.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[Tink888]

My son has weekly spelling tests. In prior years, he'd get his word list and each night have a different task in connection with the words:

write 3x each
abc order
sentence
test

I liked it that way. Seems like each year they do less of that. I'm not too big on the kids working together and checking eachother's work. I'm sure there are probably some kind of benefits to that but to me, when they learn that way, it's too hard for the teacher to follow the child's work and tell when someone is struggling. I'm not a teacher though, that's just my opinion.

 

[IDoDis]

I'm a teacher and don't use those methods. Research shows that kids do not retain spelling word patterns by giving them a "random" list of words to memorize each week. They may learn and remember it for that week, but will not retain the spelling in the long run. Why study it to learn just for the test and not be able to spell it two weeks later?

Also, kids need to be able to read the words they are spelling. If they can't read the word, it is a waste of time for them to try and learn to spell it. They should be learning to spell words that are appropriate for their reading level.

I use a program called "Words Their Way." I start out the year by giving the students an assessment to find out which developmental spelling stage they are in and then I formed my groups from there. For example, some students are in the "letter name" stage which means they are spelling words based only on the names of the letters they hear in the word (example: make is spelled "mak" or float is spelled "flot"). Some kids are still in the emergent stage where they use the first and last letter but a vowel is missing (make is "mk"). Some students are in the "within word" stage where they use but confuse long vowel patterns.

There are several stages and each stage also has an "early" "middle" and "late" stage built in. When introducing new words, I discuss the word patterns and we talk about the sounds. Students then cut up word cards and sort their words based on patterns and sounds (they might have words that end with "ack" and words that end with "ake" so they learn and practice that one-syllable short vowel words end in "ck" and long vowel one syllable words end in "ke" when that hard /k/ sound is present at the end of a word.

By doing this, students learn the patterns and can then determine correct spellings for words. When I give them the test (not necessarily on a Friday, but when they are ready), I will throw in words that weren't in their word sorts. They say, "Hey, we didn't have that word." And I say, "That's my point. If you can spell "back" you should be able to spell "black" because it's the same sound and pattern.

Here's some info on the book I use. It comes with a CD and a DVD. There are also companion books for each spelling stage along with lesson ideas.

http://www.amazon.com/Words-Their-Way-Vocabulary-Instruction/dp/013223968X

 

[cristit14]

Yes, on Monday's they have a pre-test of 20 words. They also have a spelling packet that has 3 or 4 worksheets that is due on Thursday. If they missed a certain number on the pre-test (I think maybe more than 3?) they take those same words as their test on Friday. If they miss less, then they have challenge words to take instead.

 

[Cindy B]

I am in a 3rd grade class. I give the words on Monday and test on Friday.

I do two different kinds of spelling. First I put the words into www.spellingcity.com. I do a batch file and put all the words in. Before the spelling test, students can either play games with them, hear the word spoken and practice typing the words. There is an option to do an online test, but I am still introducing www.spellingcity and I want the students to get familiar first.

I do give words every Monday. This week is /oi/ sound words. In my district, the spelling words coordinate with the current week comprehension test. So, I have the students search for the words while we are going over the comprehension story.

There are some mandated spelling homework sheets that I have to give. (I don't love it but I have to give it per the principal). These are homework with phonics of the word, the word in context and other things.

I do make spelling flashcards for my ELL students. I write the words in syllable form on small flashcards which they take home.

During the week I have the students write the words in ABC order, 3x each and using the words in a sentence. (again per principal)

I would like to do spelling review games, but my students can't handle large cooperative games-too much fighting and yelling. I might try again later--but I tried to do it Friday and it didn't turn out well.

I also do a word sound sort. That is difficult for some of my students because of their ELL status.


This is an urban school with a good portion of ELL students and all students are considered high-risk. Because of NCLB scores, there are mandated curriculum we have to give per the state and CAPA. (yes the scores were that bad that CAPA got involved)

 

[shortbun]

no spelling tests at the school my son attended. Honestly, I gave him spelling tests because he was just an awful speller. My tests were all words that had similar spelling. can, man, fan....and so forth.
We also studied things like than versus then and their and their or two, too and to, advice and advise was one we did recently.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I am in a 3rd grade class. I give the words on Monday and test on Friday.

I do two different kinds of spelling. First I put the words into www.spellingcity.com. I do a batch file and put all the words in. Before the spelling test, students can either play games with them, hear the word spoken and practice typing the words. There is an option to do an online test, but I am still introducing www.spellingcity and I want the students to get familiar first.
)

A bit OT, but i just wanted to say thanks for this website! I teach kindergarten and this website will be great for working on our "word wall" words! thanks!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Frankly as both an educator and a parent I'm suprised that spelling tests still exist.

There's a fair amount of research that says that spelling tests don't work. Structured phonics instruction, plus copious experience reading is what kids need to progress as a reader.

As someone who has worked as a tutor on the side for years, I can't tell you how many parents have told me that they spend hours each week preparing for spelling tests, and thus don't have "time" to read with their child each day -- this is really sad, those hours spent reading could have a profound impact on kids abilities.

To answer your other question -- the kids at my school don't have "spelling tests" in the traditional sense. Sometimes, as part of their phonics instruction the teacher will read out a list of words that fit the rule they've studied and the kids will write them down, and then correct their own errors together. However this is not a list that is studied in advance.

My son's school does have spelling tests, and particularly poorly designed ones as well. It's one of the things I like lease about the school.

One thing I think is funny is that spelling tests are often implemented by schools that I think of as "conservative" or "traditional". In our current era of NCLB, it's the conservatives who are often championing "research based instruction" through programs such as "Reading First". While there are things about NCLB that I don't like the concept that we should choose reading methods based on what research tells me actually works for kids makes a lot of sense to me. However, when the same schools cling to spelling tests it leaves me scratching my head.

 

[aprilgail2]

Frankly as both an educator and a parent I'm suprised that spelling tests still exist.

As someone who has worked as a tutor on the side for years, I can't tell you how many parents have told me that they spend hours each week preparing for spelling tests, and thus don't have "time" to read with their child each day -- this is really sad, those hours spent reading could have a profound impact on kids abilities.

.

We spend hours each week working on the spelling and vocabulary tests. Every night starting Monday I give her a spelling test each night to see which words she needs help on and then we go over the vocabulary portion of it. They get 20 words a week- all are spelling and ten of those are also vocabulary that go along with whatever they are studying in science or history that week.
Starting in first grade they had spelling test- only 10 words then but in 2nd and up there are 20 words. Starting this year in 4th they also have vocabulary words.
There is also homework related to the words every night
Monday- each word 3x
Tuesday- ABC order frontwards and backwards
Wednesday- sentences
Thursday- a paragraph using at least half the words.

 

[jodifla]

My son has spelling tests each week in 1st grade.

 

[Rora]

I just graduated from grad school with a masters in elementary education. I have never heard of this new method!!

Almost every adult I've ever known took weekly spelling tests in elementary school and we all spell well. I do not understand why this practice is changing now.

I would recommend that you provide your child with weekly (but fun! ) spelling tests in order to reinforce what he is learning (or NOT learning) in the classroom.

 

[clori]

My dd is in third grade and has weekly spelling tests. Spelling homework this year is things like abc order, write words 3x each, sentences. Last year was more fun such as crossword puzzles, fill in the blanks, word search etc. However at back to school night the teacher told us that there is a big movement to stop spelling tests She said many people felt that spelling tests proved kids could easily memorize spelling words for their tests however when the words were used months from then in written work many times the words were mispelled.

 

[TwinsinCA]

There's a fair amount of research that says that spelling tests don't work. Structured phonics instruction, plus copious experience reading is what kids need to progress as a reader.

I thought spelling tests were about teaching kids how to spell...not read.

How are kids supposed to learn how to spell without practicing the rules that they learn? Are they just supposed to "absorb it" while they read?

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I thought spelling tests were about teaching kids how to spell...not read.

How are kids supposed to learn how to spell without practicing the rules that they learn? Are they just supposed to "absorb it" while they read?

Ooops, that was a typo.

Spelling and reading are very intertwined, but I meant to type spelling there.

Memorizing lists of spelling words might help some kids learn the words on those lists -- although many kids just memorize the words long enough to pass the test and then forget. However, it doesn't help kids generalize those skills to new words. Structured phonics, on the other hand, helps kids learn patterns and apply those patterns to new words which is key.

Unfortunately, in English, there are often several ways to spell a word that is phonetically "correct" -- e.g. soap vs. sope. That's one of the places where reading comes in -- if kids have seen the word a few hundred times in print sope will look wrong to them, they'll know it's something else, and will try again with soap, which will then look right.

 

[KATHINOWA]

Last year we had one (out of 4) 1st grade class not give spelling tests. This year two of the classes are doing it. Eventually it will cover first grade, then second grade, etc. I understand the theory behind it--kids are memorizing the words for the spelling tests and then forgetting the words the next day. My DS is an amazing phonetic speller but has a hard time with the spelling rules. I do think spelling tests are an important part of school--learning to study, taking tests, etc.