Words for Nov 10th Spelling Test

Dear parents,

Here are the words for our next spelling test on Nov 10th:

Level 5 (Unit 4) words:

explain, then, friends, than, beautiful, there's, that's, farm, music, their, perhaps, travel, there, answers, notice, circle, watch, single, wrote, they're, often, whose, who's, I'm

Level 6 (Unit 4) words:

let's, chance, than, there, their, past, happened, they're, science, whole, women, people, sight, really, reach, thick, pretty, interest, produce, finally, then, million, earth, result, together, common

Within the next few days, I will add a set of "challenge words" for those that want more.

As you may notice, the Sitton words often repeat themselves.  Many of last week's Level 6 words are in the Level 5 list this week.  In addition, the Level 5 words are sometimes more challenging than the Level 6 words.  I attended a Sitton Spelling conference last week in Manchester, N.H., and the instructor recommended that I use just one book (not both Level 5 and Level 6) and challenge the stronger spellers with extra activities from that one book.  I've consulted with Karen Kennedy (our 7th grade Language Arts and spelling instructor) and she agrees.  Ms. Greaves and Ms. Boucher also agree that it would be better for our 5th/6th grade students if we used one book and gave the stronger spellers more of the challenging assignments.  There are many challenging activities in the Sitton Spelling Sourcebook. 

For those compelling reasons, this will be the last week that our 5th/6th grade students have 2 separate lists of words.   Starting next week we will all use the same list of words but those students who need more of a challenge will do more than simply memorize the list. 

Regardless of what grade a student is in, the stronger spellers will now be required to study prefixes and suffixes, proofread stories, write short stories using the spelling words, analyze words in order to make spelling inferences, improve sentence structure, examine homonyms, antonyms, metaphors, change irregular verbs into past tense, and examine how to make words plural.  If you want your child to have more challenging spelling homework, there are many Sitton Spelling assignments I can send home with your child so you can work with your child.  However, since we are trying not not overwhelm our students with too much homework, I won't send those assignments home unless you request.

I firmly believe that this new path will challenge all of our 5th/6th grade students more.  Merely memorizing a list of words does not help our children become better writers and communicators.  Our children must learn how to use words as tools for communication in this 21st century.  These added exercises will help achieve that.

Sincerely,

Jim Shea
371-8068