Spelling tests that only require memorization skills are a waste of time. They serve no purpose. But, spelling is important and necessary. It aids in reading. It connects sounds to letters.  However, instead of memorizing of a list of words, sort words to discover patterns.

Good Spelling

Knowing how to spell and using correct spelling in writing demonstrates literacy.

•   Spelling demonstrates and facilitates communication. Words should not distract the reader.

•   Confusion is avoided in comprehending text as students use correct spelling.

•   Good writing attributes entrance into colleges or the job market.

•   Spell check doesn’t always provide accuracy.

The Friday Test

Students that get perfect spelling tests does not mean they have mastered the words. Usually, they misspell the same so called memorized words in written text. Memorization is not an indication of the logic or reasoning behind words. The list is usually a mixture of unrelated words.

Spelling is decodable and rules apply. Such as, when a word has a ‘closed’ syllable, the syllable ends in a consonant. And, an open syllable ends in a vowel. Knowing and understanding spelling rules and the exceptions is the way to learn to spell.  However, the difficult trick is to learn the rule. And, if you forget the rule, think about the pattern.  Also, teaching reading and spelling together provides students more chances to practice and apply patterns.

Many schools are dropping weekly spelling tests in order to place less emphasis on memorization and more on the understanding of the word construction.  Students who understand how language works, spell more accurately.  Actually, research does not support spelling as a rote, visual-memory skill. There are students that cannot memorize and retain facts. Especially facts that contain symbols. They may memorize for a short time only because the brain doesn’t transfer the information into the long term memory. In other words, the information disappears. Even when students are asked to write their spelling words several times for homework or use a touch method or a chanting method, they are simply repeating a sequence of letter names.  Still, words are made of sounds, not letter names. Sounds are heard and are written, letters have to be memorized.