Getting Started with Sitton Spelling and Word Skills

1
Getting Started with Sitton Spelling and Word
Skills

• A QA of
• Tips Tricks to Facilitate Implementation
• Grade 2

2
How does Sitton Spelling and Word Skills differ
from a traditional spelling program?

• Sitton is more than a traditional spelling
  program. It actually helps teach how words work.
• Provides regular review of previous words
• Reinforces integrating words into a childs
  writing vocabulary
• Sitton is spelling for life!

3
What are Core Words?

• Words students use for word study
• Words assessed through cloze and dictation
  assessments
• Words that are built upon year by year

4
What are Priority Words?

• Highest frequency words from among core word list
• Words students are ALWAYS responsible for
  spelling correctly (no excuses list)

5
How do I begin organizing for instruction?

• Spend time viewing the tutor me tapes
• Become familiar with the sourcebook
• Tab sections of the sourcebook for easy reference
• Prepare black line masters, notebooks, and
  Priority Word Lists.

6
What are the components of a typical unit?

• Word Preview
• Exercise Express
• Building Basic Concepts
• Test Ready
• Assessments

7
Basics Electives
8
What is the focus of the Build Skills and Word
Experiences part of the unit?

• To help students build
• Visual skills
• Spelling and language skills
• Basic concepts

9
What is the focus of the Assess Words and
Skills part of the lesson?

• Assess spelling progress
• Assess skills application
• Extend spelling assessment

10
How do I effectively use the posters?

• Posted in the classroom for reference
• Black-line masters for making individual student
  copies

11
What materials need to be prepared in advance of
the lesson?

• Teacher selects activities to be completed by
  students
• Assemble materials for activities (charts, letter
  cards, etc.)
• Copy assessment sheets and parent activity.

12
How do I know which concepts/activities are the
most important for my students to learn?

• The major concepts of each unit need to be
  taught.
• The curriculum map for your grade level should be
  a guideline for concept focus.
• Activities are also selected based on student
  need.

13
Should I create a spelling list in addition to
the cloze, skill, and dictation tests in the
program?

• NO! Sitton is not a word memorization task. It is
  a word study program.

14
What is the best way to incorporate the writing
skills activities?

• Priority words must be spelled correctly in all
  written work.
• Proofreading skills taught in Sitton lessons can
  be integrated into writing workshop.

15
How I determine spelling grades?

• Everyday writing
• Cloze tests
• Dictation tests
• Skills tests

16
What information should I share with parents?

• Philosophy of the Sitton program
• Word lists
• Take home task
• How grades are determined

17
How do I subscribe to the Sitton newsletter?
Go to http//www.sittonspelling.com/ and click on
the E-Newsletter link at the bottom of the page.
You will come to this page where you may access
the archived newsletters, as well as subscribe to
future editions.