Implementation

Assessment Tools  |  Five Days of Spelling Activities

The Guided Spelling program is a method of learning to spell that invites students to do the thinking and become increasingly aware of the decisions that they need make to read and spell the words they encounter.

Applying Spelling Strategies

1. The teacher introduces the word in context.
2. The teacher provides guidance while the students spell the word.
3. The teacher provides feedback.
4. The students correct any misspellings.

Differentiated Instruction

This program is designed for whole-class instruction; the structure allows students at different levels to learn together. Instruction may also be differentiated beginning in grade 2 to meet the needs of students struggling with grade-level content and those who need an extra challenge. Individual needs are met by varying the number of words studied each week.

Assessment

Daily and weekly assessments help teachers make informed decisions about instruction.

Week at a Glance

The Guided Spelling program has a 5-day lesson plan for 15 minutes each day. It uses a gradual-release model of guidance that moves from Monday’s explicit, direct instruction and guidance from the teacher to Friday’s independent spelling response by students.

Partner Study

Though the Guided Spelling program uses direct and regular guidance from the teacher, the importance of partner work is evident in the review weeks every sixth week, when students study with a partner. Students develop a partner study rhythm of taking turns selecting, spelling, and checking the words of the week.