A Multi-Syllable Spelling Routine

In this video, we see a 4th grade student using a multi-syllable spelling protocol with great independence and fluidity. She knows how to identify the syllables in challenging and unfamiliar words, then segment the sounds, and then select a spelling pattern to represent each sound.

Reflecting on this video, I am awestruck by the growth this child has made in a short period of time. The fluidity with which she applies the protocol demonstrates her deepening understanding of the connection between oral language and print. Moreover, her ability to retain 6 syllables in a word shows an explosion of growth since she began just 18 sessions ago.

In terms of my teaching, I reflected on a comment I made about the grapheme <ck> coming to realize that the language I used to discuss this doesn’t fit with the practice of linguistic phonics. I continue to work to omit such automatic responses that come from years of teaching rule-based phonics. This was a great moment to capture and reflect on. In the future, I can mention that as a tendency but not a rule, elsewhere in the instruction. I also noticed the impact of “the point game” as scoring points for choosing bigger, harder words is a great moment to teach the value of perseverance and striving for new heights.