Spelling

WOW! I have to start by saying, I am very impressed with how well the class is doing not only with our new spelling routine but with how well they all did on their weekly spelling test last week. Your child should have brought home their new spelling words tonight in their DOG binder. This week their words are tailored specifically to them. Over the course of the past week I assessed each child's spelling skills on the grade one words. As of this week, only the words that they did not know how to spell will be on their lists. The kids are excited about the time they get to practice their words using our rainbow drawers where they get to use magnetic letters, playdough, popsicle sticks and magna doodles. One of the drawers even gives kids the opportunity to write on the glass of our classroom door! This is a fun and EASY way to motivate kids at home as well. All it takes is a dry-erase marker, an old sock to use for an eraser and some glass (patio doors are the best as they are big) Have your child show you how we do it. :-)
Another great way to have your child practice is with a website called, Spelling City. If your child is in "the yellow" group for specials, they already know about spelling city and how to enter their words and play Hang Mouse. If your child is in "the red group" for specials, I will teaching them how to use the site next week.If you want to check it out the address is: http://www.spellingcity.com/  You can also find a link to the site on the right hand side of the blog.
If you have any questions about your child's spelling words, please don't hesitate to ask.

P.S. Sorry for not getting our Christmas Party pics up as of yet, the program I use, Smilebox, has been giving me some grief and not working properly. As soon as I get the problem straightened out, I will post those pics as promised. Thanks for your patience.