School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

Getting Started with

Sitton Spelling and Word Skills

A Q&A of Tips & Tricks to Facilitate Implementation

~Grade 2

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

How does Sitton Spelling and Word Skills differ from a traditional spelling program?

• Sitton is more than a traditional spelling program. It actually helps teach how words work.

• Provides regular review of previous words

• Reinforces integrating words into a child’s writing vocabulary

• Sitton is spelling for life!

What are Core Words?

• Words students use for word study

• Words assessed through cloze and dictation assessments

• Words that are built upon year by year

What are Priority Words?

• Highest frequency words from among core word list

• Words students are ALWAYS responsible for spelling correctly (no excuses list)

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

How do I begin organizing for instruction?• Spend time viewing the tutor me tapes

• Become familiar with the sourcebook

• Tab sections of the sourcebook for easy reference

• Prepare black line masters, notebooks, and Priority Word Lists.

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

What are the components of a typical unit?• Word Preview

• Exercise Express

• Building Basic Concepts

• Test Ready

• Assessments

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

Basics & Electives

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

What is the focus of the “Build Skills and Word Experiences” part of the unit?

To help students build:

• Visual skills

• Spelling and language skills

• Basic concepts

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

What is the focus of the “Assess Words and Skills” part of the lesson?

• Assess spelling progress

• Assess skills application

• Extend spelling assessment

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

How do I effectively use the posters?• Posted in the classroom for reference

• Black-line masters for making individual student copies

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

What materials need to be prepared in advance of the lesson?

• Teacher selects activities to be completed by students

• Assemble materials for activities (charts, letter cards, etc.)

• Copy assessment sheets and parent activity.

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

How do I know which concepts/activities are the most important for my students to learn?

• The major concepts of each unit need to be taught.

• The curriculum map for your grade level should be a guideline for concept focus.

• Activities are also selected based on student need.

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

Should I create a spelling list in addition to the cloze, skill, and dictation tests in the program?

• NO! Sitton is not a word memorization task. It is a word study program.

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

What is the best way to incorporate the writing skills activities?

• Priority words must be spelled correctly in all written work.

• Proofreading skills taught in Sitton lessons can be integrated into writing workshop.

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

How I determine spelling grades?

• Everyday writing

• Cloze tests

• Dictation tests

• Skills tests

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

What information should I share with parents?

• Philosophy of the Sitton program

• Word lists

• Take home task

• How grades are determined

School City of Mishawaka Spring 2007

How do I subscribe to the Sitton newsletter?

Go to http://www.sittonspelling.com/ and click on the E-Newsletter link at the bottom of the page. You will come to this page where you may access the archived newsletters, as well as subscribe to future editions.