One of my darlings was having major problems with spelling and failing the weekly spelling tests horribly so I was in search of some type of intensive intervention that would help him. He was struggling with writing very simple words that I know were on the 1st and 2nd grade Word Walls. I started doing some research and kept stumbling upon what was called the "Cover, Copy, Compare" method. It is so simple to implement. We started right away. I made packets to keep at my small group table. I also made some packets to send home for practice. Basically, all you need is a copy of your spelling list, paper, an index card, and a pencil. The student copies the first word directly from the spelling list, then covers the newly copied word (and the list), writes the word from memory, and then checks it for accuracy. If it is not correct the student just repeats the process until it is correct and moves on. We did this every morning during our in-school tutoring block and replaced his current spelling homework with this activity to be done nightly. Thursday he took a practice test and by Friday he had the words down. He not only passed his first spelling test in the 3rd grade, but he made a 92. I was so proud of him, but most importantly he felt successful and motivated to keep up this level of practice. He was PROUD of himself. That was my main goal. I think this would probably work beautifully in practicing math facts as well. I can't wait to see what he scores this Friday! I just love these moments when I am reminded in a big way why I became a teacher in the first place. Makes it all worthwhile!
PS- You can grab the cover to the packet here! Toodles!
8 comments:
That's a great strategy! Thanks for sharing!
I've always struggled with giving spelling pretests. I took an educational psych class years ago as an undergrad that showed research says it takes 11 times of doing something to commit something to memory. I feel like many students who spell a word wrong do it over and over, and I never was a fan of the 5 times each thing, especially if students spelled it right to begin with! I like this and nominated you for an award over at my blog. Come check it out to accept! :)
Miss B, Busy Bee
AMAZING!!!!!!! I love this idea. I'm always looking for new spelling ideas!
-Rachelle
whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com
Misty, I've been stalking your blog for a month now. Ha! Your fabulousness deserves a Sunshine Award! Head on over to http://circusoflearning.blogspot.com/ to claim it!
- Emily :-)
This is so smart!
- Lisa
ateachersbagoftricks.blogspot.com
I too have a student who is struggling with spelling. I can't wait to use this when we return after Christmas break!
That reminds me of cover-write-check from F/P Phonics.
Hi from Australia! We have a system here called LSCWC - look, say, cover, write, check. It sounds very similar but with an extra step - when they first read the word, they read it aloud (look), then spell it aloud (say), then the rest is the same. I find the spelling out loud helps to embed the spelling better with some learners.
Just discovered your blog - I think it is fantastic and will be back!
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