Spelling+Program+Letter+of+Explanation

Dear Families,

This year students will have two spelling lists. One is from our //__Treasures__// reading program in class and the other is the “High Frequency/No Excuses” words (those words most often written in the English language). **Students will be tested each Friday on 20 words which focus on a phonics skill (our reading list) and 5 randomly selected “No Excuses” (High Frequency) words for a total of 25 words.** Each spelling list is outlined below.

A weekly 20-word spelling list will come home on Monday in your child’s binder after the students have taken the pretest in class. The packet is due no later than the following Monday. The list of 20 words will be from our //__Treasures__// reading text book that we read in class each day.
 * __Weekly Words __**

To achieve the highest level of learning and to experience accountability, the students will be given a list of High Frequency Words to study, too. These are the words most commonly used in everyday writing. They are listed in the order of their frequency, not by how difficult they are. Because they are used so often in writing it is important for students to spell them correctly at all times. Some of these words may seem simple, but many are also commonly misspelled! The goal is for your child to be able to spell all of these words correctly one hundred percent of the time by the end of the school year (or sooner!).
 * __High Frequency Words __**

Each week I will randomly choose 5 words from this list to add to the Friday Spelling Test. Your child will not know in advance which 5 words will be tested. However, he/she should easily know the first 130 words already.

I have included the entire 1200 word list for your reference. Please note, however, that our expectations for 3rd graders only include the first 335 words. I will only choose words within these parameters:
 * September to January: Words 1 – 216 will be tested
 * February to June: Words 217-335 will be tested

Your child may practice more words as an Enrichment Activity.

Both Weekly and High Frequency Words need to be studied at home. The 3rd grade spelling score on your student’s report card reflects spelling in his/her everyday writing. Spelling mastery comes only with practice of the two lists and the work that is done in the classroom reinforcing each week’s skill. It is important that your child takes time to practice and learn these words.

Thank you for your help and support,

Ms. McCormack