IN THE CLASSROOM -- A new way to spell it out

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA -- Students sat huddled behind Manila folders propped

upright on their desks. Each wracked their brain in an attempt to

remember how to spell the words on their weekly spelling list.

While the folders gave the distinct and somber impression that a test

was being conducted, they were not really necessary in Jennifer Hauge’s

fifth-grade class.

Not because her gaggle of 10-year-olds is beyond reproach, but because

none of them were studying the same words. Gone are the days of everyone

learning identical lists of spelling words.

Sure, it starts that way at the beginning of the week. But when that

list is given as a pretest Monday, any word that a student can already

spell is replaced by a word they want to learn.

It’s a new way of teaching spelling that Hauge thinks is pure genius

-- and students seem to agree.

“I like it this way because then you can’t really cheat,” said Alyssa

DeMorgaind, 10.

Although the majority of children agreed with Alyssa’s reason for

liking the new method, it’s not why they use it.

Under the traditional method, Hauge found that some students weren’t

being challenged; for others, the words were too difficult.

With each child at differing levels of ability, this new method allows

Hauge to plug in words from the children’s writing journal that they have

spelled incorrectly.

Her theory is that if they know the word and are using it, they should

learn to spell it.

“I think they’re being challenged and learning words they need to

learn,” she said.

Her students eagerly agreed.

“I like it this way because you can learn more words,” said

10-year-old Thuy Nguyen.

In short, all 20 words on the weekly spelling test are words that

students did not know at the beginning of the week. Since each student is

coming up with their own words and is responsible for keeping track of

their personal list, it also teaches them responsibility.

“I like it when we have different words because someone can’t copy

your words and because people can choose the words they need to learn,”

said 10-year-old Richard Martin, who added that he chooses difficult

words.

FYI

WHO: Fifth-grade students in Mrs. Hauge’s class

WHAT: Break away from traditional spelling lessons

WHERE: Davis Education Center