This is from a bookmark I got at my SWR seminar but I’m consolidating it into my system. This is how you give your kids their new spelling words each week, using the list given in the WISE Guide:

1. Say the word and read the sentence.

2. Say the word again clapping the syllables, having the child identify and say/clap each syllable.

3. “Think to spell” any word situations (the book will explain – like two consonants together when spelling you would enunciate each but you don’t hear the two: sor-ry)

4. Show fingergram (holding up fingers) for each syllable:
c-a-t is three fingers and sound out /c/-/a/-/t/

5. Have student spell word to you as you write it out (on paper, chalkboard, dry erase board.)

6. Have student write out word in book while making each sound.

7. Have student dictate back word.

8. Mark it with red pencil (book gives guide.)

9. Review any rules that apply (rules flashcards & book explain – like silent /e/ and such.)

Yes, there is a lot of repetition but that’s part of learning to spell. 🙂 They are hearing the word, clapping & saying the word, breaking the word down, spelling the word aloud, seeing the word written properly, writing it for themselves while sounding it out (saying the phonograms, NOT the letters but the sound they make – say /c/ while writing the letter ‘c’) and then spelling the word aloud again while reading it back to you, then marking any rules/phonograms in red. It sounds like a lot but it actually goes really quickly once you get the hang of it. (Seeing it done made it click for me.)

Plus for younger kids you can do just five words Tuesday & five words Wednesday to break it down and you can do 10 or 20 words as your kids get older. You set the pace.