Are any of your first graders having spelling tests already?

Question

My first grader came home on friday with a note stating that she had not done well in her spelling test and she was going to have one more opportunity to do it on Monday (today) to please practice and review the words over the weekend. What got me is that the teacher never mentioned that they were going to have spelling tests and she has send words home during the week but with no heads up that there would be a test. You think I should say something or just keep it in mind to practice the weekly words. What strategies can we use at home for her to learn to spell these words correctly? Any tips/ideas would help. Thanks

Answer 1

Teacher just made the assumption that parents, who were helping their children with spelling during the week would know there's a spelling test on fri. Wrong assumption, however if it's just a new teacher , you might mention that fact to her in your first parent teacher interview, that it might be nice to have a schedule of weekly tests she'll be administering like spelling tests or math quizzes, when projects are do.

Now with spelling. I used to have to use my spelling words in a sentence so that I could demonstrate that I knew what the word meant. Not sure if they still do that , but it couldn't hurt.

While you're doing dishes ask her to spell the words on her spelling list for you. Make it a game like hang man or wheel of fortune.

If you have a jr scrabble set or even a regular scrabble set or have alphabets make her spell her weekly words with those letters. Make it fun.

Answer 2

Um...if she brought home spelling words I would have assumed that there was going to be a spelling test at some point. Have they had a "back to school" or "meet the teacher" night that you missed where classroom routines like this might have been discussed? Does your teacher send home a weekly newsletter? The test and retest will probably always be on the same days. Find out when they are and count on there being a spelling test every week. Make sure you go through your daughter's backpack after school and ask her about what she did and what her homework is each night.

You can have her write the words a few times to practice them or you can ask her to spell the words out loud for you. We did that a lot while waiting in the bus, setting the table for dinner or riding in the car last year when my son was in 1st grade.

Answer 3

Yes, first graders have spelling tests this early in the year...just help her with her second chance and do better next week about getting an earlier start on studying. Some ideas are: make the words with magnetic letters or cut index cards in half and make letter cards for her to practice building the word in the correct order, make a word search, have her pick a word and create a sentence using that word(so you will know that she is hearing and understanding what the word is), practice spelling tests, write the words on cards then ask her to LOOK and READ the word then flip the card and have her write the word then flip over and check then try again if incorrect, write the spelling word correctly and then incorrectly (or vice versa) and ask her "which one looks right?"(this is similar to standardized tests and since spelling is a visual skill...you are helping her to look at words and ask herself that question...you know we ask that of ourselves when we write). There are other ways too. Ask the teacher. Whatever you do, do not have her write the words 5 times each, does not help...is boring...just a busywork task. And kids love hangman and wheel of fortune. Do these on a chalkboard or dry erase board. Saves paper and increases interest with the change from paper and pencil tasks.

Answer 4

My son has just finished first grade , and he also had weekly spelling tests. His teacher sent home a paper about tests at the beginning of the year. Communication is very important with the teacher. Check papers to see if maybe she did send something home about testing. If there is no papers , then call the teacher and explain your feelings. Its good you know whats expected so your daughter can excel. Try writing the words on index cards, to use as flash cards and do a lot of practicing. good luck

Answer 5

what age is 1st grade in the us?in the uk my daughter had spelling tests in year 1 which is 5 or 6 yr olds.repetition is the best explain the sound and then tell them how you spell that sound ie frown,brown . sound being ow n.if u follow.will all fall into place eventually but only the extemely bright get em all right 1st go when theyre out of context lol easy in a list

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

Mine did. If there are weekly words then assume the child should learn them.

Here is what worked the best for my daughter:

I had her write each word 3X each. Repetition is Key!

Answer 8

Yes, it is quite common. My niece has had speeling tests since then. She also had homework at that time. It's time to start going though her backpack and checking for homework and get her on the right path.