PA and spelling

[annettemarie]

Whoops. I just realized I'm supposed to be teaching spelling according to PA law, and we really haven't. I mean, we deal with things as we need to, but I haven't been systematically teaching spelling. Should I be? What do I need for my portfolio to prove we're covering this.

Actually, I'm in the same boat for science. We read books and it's somewhat covered here and there in SotW, but we're not really explicitly teaching it.

[Dar]

You're fine. Really. Most states say something like this. If anyone official ever asks, you respond with something like, "Instruction in spelling is conducted through feedback and editing of student's written work." If you feel like it, you could add any other stuff you do, like "oral spelling execises" (my kid used to like to play spelling bee sometimes) or "phonemic awareness activities" (i.e., talking about what letters make what sounds, and word patterns). You have a 99.9% chance that no one will even ask, though.

It does crack me up that the state requires you to include "regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires." That may be unique to Pennsylvania...

Dar

[mammal_mama]

I've always heard that the best way to become a good speller is through reading.

[annettemarie]

Yeah, I just randomly insert "Hey, kids. Don't play with matches!" into our day.

Thanks for the documentation ideas. It's not that we aren't doing it, I just am not sure how to prove we're doing it. We play scrabble, spelling bee, lots of games like that, but it's hard to put in a portfolio.

[4evermom]

Originally Posted by Dar

It does crack me up that the state requires you to include "regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires." That may be unique to Pennsylvania...

Dar

Love that part! Helps us rationalize having backyard bonfires and lighting fireworks, safely, of course.

[mamajake]

I've never documented anything regarding spelling any differently from "language arts" generally. I wouldn't worry about it. I must say that in the mandated standardized tests (3rd. 5th, and 8th grades here in PA), spelling was the only area in which my kids were only at grade level (they were above in all other areas). There is a bunch of spelling focused stuff I bought in a panic. It is still gathering dust but I learned a lot finding them.

There are a bunch of places with one page fill-in-the-blanks lessons on fire safety. I stuck that in a few years. Those annual fire and safety expos are actually pretty fun field trips.