This report examines the evolving landscape of English language arts (ELA) curriculum and instructional support in Michigan elementary schools from the 2019-20 to the 2022-23 school years. Recognizing the pivotal role instruction plays in shaping students' literacy development, this report explores which curriculum resources teachers are using to…

The present study investigated the effects on student test scores of providing Tier 1 and Tier 2 professional development (PD) about language arts instruction to teachers at a Title I elementary school. All general education teachers received ongoing feedback and assistance in hands-on learning of effective instructional techniques for reading,…

The acquisition of spelling skills in English presents, for a substantial number of children, a significant challenge. Spelling skills do not automatically transfer from reading skills, and while many teachers are aware of the need to develop a separate word study program to assist with spelling development, time and confidence factors often…

This article addresses the topic of spelling in American English. It discusses the popularity of spelling contests in American schools, and then explains why spelling is so hard. The author then argues how important it is to understand these factors to improve spelling accuracy. The article concludes by identifying the difficulties of language…

Rebecca Bowers Sipe describes the experiences of challenged spellers and recommends a range of strategies for helping students take responsibility for their spelling. She suggests that teachers begin by observing samples of students' writing and weaving in skills lessons related to the needs observed. (Contains 1 figure.)

High school teacher Suzanne R. Kail and her students uncover the relevance of learning Latin and Greek roots to enhance vocabulary and spelling. Kail reflects on her experience of combining what might be seen as an old-school practice of memorization with promoting higher level thinking skills and anticipates what she will revise for the next…

Suggests that students be permitted an opportunity to attempt creative spellings. (DD)

Considers how students who have to guess a lot when spelling do not believe they have control over their language; they think the language has control over them. Suggests that teaching students the patterns and rules of the language helps their spelling improve. Gives specific examples of rules that teachers can teach students to help improve…

Describes a method for teaching spelling to secondary level students which requires them to locate the correct spellings in the surrounding community. (RB)

Improving spelling performance of college students is a question of insuring that the correct information is in long-term memory and readily retrievable. Any system of spelling instruction should recognize the capacity limits of the sensory register and short-term memory; provide for identification of and concentration on the distinctive features…

Which spelling words should students master in order to communicate well in writing? There are numerous sources from which teachers may choose spelling words to use and teach. This paper discusses five such sources: the basal spelling textbook; words based on research studies; individualized spelling; words taken from subject matter units of…

This paper describes some of the regularities of English spelling that are generally ignored in spelling books. Specifically, topics of discussion include simple sounds with complex, but predictable, spellings; infrequent, specialized spellings; and homophonous final syllables. The use of these spelling rules can help elementary school students…

Examines the differences in spelling performance of elementary school children in five different schools and suggests the organization of the typical comprehensive school may be influential in causing a falling-off in the accuracy of written English for first-year high school students. (HOD)

Discusses why word families should be taught. Argues that the timing of such instruction is critical and that teachers can use children's invented spelling to determine what they already know and what they are ready to learn. Offers a developmental perspective to guide teachers in the planning and pacing of word-family instruction. (SR)