Differentiated Spelling Instruction Grade 4 Lessons, Remedial Worksheets, and Tests
4.9 · 15 teacher reviewsProgram Description
Differentiated Spelling Instruction Grade 4 is a full-year spelling patterns program featuring weekly grade level word lists, tests, and spelling sorts plus diagnostically targeted worksheets to help students master previous grade level spelling patterns. In other words, students catch up while they keep up with grade level instruction.
There is no better spelling program for your grade level students, GATE students, SPED, ESL/ELD, and below grade level students. Perfect for RtI or MTSS.
The research-based program resources help students orthographically map the sound-spelling patterns and retain what they have learned. Students learn the conventional spelling rules, spelling-vocabulary connections, and foreign language influences they need to write with confidence. No silly themed lists of colors, animals, or words that end with "ly."
This no-prep program is easy-to-teach and doesn't take up too much instructional time. You do have other subjects to teach!
All program components are digital downloads (no print books).
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ENTIRE PROGRAM!
GRADE LEVEL INSTRUCTION
The program includes weekly spelling lists built upon developmental spelling patterns. Students learn to apply the rules of spelling rather than just memorizing arbitrary word lists.
Diagnostic: Students take a weekly spelling pattern pretest and self-correct. Students create personal spelling lists from the words missed on their pretest, spelling errors identified in their writing, spelling errors from their previous spelling posttests, and from the supplemental resources provided in the appendix.
The teacher explains the weekly spelling pattern. Students complete the spelling pattern word sort and self-correct in class. Students study their personal spelling lists.
Formative: Students take the posttest (once a week or bi-weekly) in pairs, alternating dictations.
Summative: After seven weeks of instruction, students take a summative assessment of the seven previous spelling patterns.
INDIVIDUALIZED SPELLING PATTERNS INSTRUCTION
Students take the Diagnostic Spelling Assessment (a comprehensive spelling patterns assessment... not a random sample qualitative spelling inventory), using the audio file included in the program. The teacher corrects the test and records spelling pattern deficits on the progress monitoring matrix.
Students complete targeted worksheets corresponding to the spelling patterns they missed on the diagnostic assessment. Each worksheet explains the spelling pattern, provides examples, includes a spelling sort, has a word jumble, rhyme, and/or book search, and includes a short formative assessment to determine whether or not the student has mastered the spelling pattern. Students self-correct the worksheet to learn from their mistakes and mini-conference with the teacher, who corrects the formative assessment to determine mastery. If mastered, the teacher marks as such on the progress monitoring matrix.
Now that's effective differentiated instruction! Your students can catch up, while they keep up with grade level spelling instruction.
The program is easy to teach. We even provide two quick YouTube training videos to ensure your success!
Spelling Teaching Resources
- How to Study Spelling Words
- Spelling Proofreading Strategies for Stories and Essays
- Heart Words (Words with One or More Non-Phonetic Parts)
- Grade 4 Academic Language Words
- The 450 Most Frequently Used Words
- The 100 Most Often Misspelled Words
- The 70 Most Commonly Confused Words
- Eight Great Spelling Rules, Memory Songs, and Raps (with Mp3 links)
- Spelling Review Games
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ENTIRE PROGRAM!
What teachers say
All reviews“Very rigorous, but would love to see more activities or tasks to practice the spelling words”
“Currently using this resource during distance learning with students that are struggling with spelling. I look forward to using it in the classroom next year as well!”
“I think this product give a lot of strategies one can infuse in their curriculum with ease”
“Well thought out program!”
“This a great spelling program. I recommend it!”
“I have been looking for something good to use. I think I found it. Thank you!”
“Easy to implement!”
“I've been looking for a spelling program all summer! I'm excited to implement this program. I really like how organized and specific the explanations are”
“Love the recording sheets at the end to help track student's progress, will be great documentation”
“I work with a large ELL population at my school and was not happy with the weekly spelling tests, etc. Through my research in best practices, I know that spelling patterns and word study are so important at this age group. However, I just couldn't find anything out there that combines the two. We have just adopted RtI at my school and your spelling matrix is a great tool for documentation. The grade level spelling program and remediation are perfect for my students.”
“I needed a good complement to my word study program especially because the students have missed so much from these school closures. This has been very useful to me and worked well to fit what we were doing in the classroom.”
“I really like how this is a Canadian program and how it is differentiated. My students are already liking the flow of the program. The only downfall that I have noticed so far is that there are words in the diagnostic test that are based on American spelling and not Canadian, which defeats the purpose of having and paying for a Canadian program.”
“I have tutored children who are struggling in school for the last 36 years. Using raps and songs to help children remember spelling rules is wonderful!”
“Useful for intervention.”
“This resource is good for students who struggle with spelling. It is systematic and gives specific rules the students can use. Deborah H. Very comprehensive and well-organized resource.”
FAQ
Questions teachers ask
What is included in the Grade 4 program?
You get weekly grade level word lists, tests, and spelling sorts for the full year, plus diagnostically targeted worksheets that address spelling patterns from previous grades. The lists are built on developmental spelling patterns rather than themed word sets.
How often do students take tests?
Students take a weekly spelling pattern pretest that they self-correct, then a posttest once a week or every other week, given in pairs with students alternating dictations. After seven weeks of instruction, they take a summative assessment covering the seven previous spelling patterns.
What is on a remedial worksheet?
Each worksheet explains the spelling pattern, gives examples, and includes a spelling sort plus a word jumble, rhyme, and/or book search. It ends with a short formative assessment, which you correct in a mini-conference to decide whether the pattern is mastered.
Are the word lists themed?
No. The program deliberately avoids themed lists of colors, animals, or words ending in ly. Students learn conventional spelling rules, spelling-vocabulary connections, and foreign language influences so they apply patterns rather than memorize arbitrary lists.
Does Grade 4 include academic vocabulary support?
Yes. The teaching resources include Grade 4 Academic Language Words, along with Heart Words, the 450 Most Frequently Used Words, and the 100 Most Often Misspelled Words.
How is the program licensed?
One license covers one teacher and all of that teacher's classes and students. Schools and districts can pay by purchase order by emailing penningtonpublishing7@gmail.com.
