This technical lexicon for elementary school communication skills instruction was compiled from high-frequency words in six previously compiled technical lexicons: grammar, composition, spelling, handwriting, reading, and literature. Following a description of procedures used in preparing the lexicon, three appendixes provide student terms,…

One outcome area in the Southwest Regional Laboratory (SWRL) Spelling Program is the use of sources (e.g. a dictionary) to determine the correct spelling of words having unpredictable but common sound-to-spelling correspondences. This paper describes the dictionary-source instruction used in commercially available spelling series and the materials…

Experiences with competency testing at the elementary level in the area of English language are presented, as well as suggestions for improving the quality of competency tests. In order to modify curricula and requirements to meet the demands of assessment and to ensure sufficient student instruction, the following suggestions are made: (1)…

To better understand how spelling is taught, six commercial spelling series were reviewed in terms of linguistics orientation, conception of spelling, and treatment of spelling for instruction. In addition, the spelling content of each series through fourth grade was described. Comparisons were made among the series in terms of specific aspects…

The Follett spelling series "Spelling and Writing Patterns" is reviewed in terms of content and method. While descriptive writing plays a considerable role in the series, it is discussed only briefly in this paper. It is concluded that, other than in the first book, spelling instruction does not provide a sufficient basis for learning…