Display and discuss key vocabulary words. Brainstorm and categorize words according to initial letters. Make class alphabet books . Instruction is most productive and appropriate at this stage. Students' spelling problems usually follow patterns.
Individual students display different problems and patterns.
Teacher's Role Using words students know and use, emphasize similarities among words and the regularity of English letter patterns. Encourage students to form and share generalizations about spelling patterns in words they already know. Model and guide practice in proofreading and peer editing. Model the use of semantic and syntactic cues for spelling and pronouncing words when demonstrating writing and reading. Teacher's Role Challenge students to extend their knowledge of variations in word meanings, the origins of English words, modern sources of words, and the continuing evolution of language.