Word Detectives

Another great day! Today students became word detectives. I have noticed that spelling test scores have started going down-practice or no practice. I decided to try one of the strategies I have learned in grad school where the students sort words that make the same sound (this week –ch and –tch). One the list has been sorted into two groups, the children look for patterns with the vowels in each of the words. Today we noticed that if there is an I or an A, the word usually ends in tch (watch, itch). If the word has an O or a U it ends in ch (munch, porch). Students then got a "Word Detective" Notebook and searched the room for words that fit the rule or for exceptions to the rule. We did find some exceptions (which and rich) but students now know that if they come to a word that has a /ch/ ending sound to figure out which vowel is in the word and then guess. We will continue to practice this skill this week. In math, students continue to work with addition facts and number stories.