Spelling in Use: Looking Closely at Spelling in Whole Language Classrooms

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CS 012 544 Laminack, Lester L.; Wood, Katie Spelling in Use: Looking Closely at Spelling in Whole Language Classrooms. National Council of Teachers of English, Urbana, Ill. ISBN-0-8141-4663-5 96 138p.; Foreword by Sandra Wilde; Afterword by Lucy Calkins. National Council of Teachers of English, 1111 W. Kenyon Road, Urbana, IL 61801-1096 (Stock No. 46635-3050; $8.95 members, $11.95 nonmembers). Guides - Classroom Use - Teaching Guides (For Teacher) (052) -- Books (010) KFOl/PC06 Plus Postage. Classroom Techniques; Elementary Education; *Lan~uage Acquisition; *Language Experience Approach; Middle Schools; Parent Teacher Cooperation; *Spelling; *Spelling Instruction; *Student Evaluation; Teacher Behavior; *Whole Language Approach; Writing (Comp os i t ion)

ABSTRACT Providing a practical look at the role of spelling in the overall language arts curriculum, this book helps those who interact regularly witn young children understand how learning to spell is part of the broader fabric of learning to write in whole language classrooms. After an introduction, chapter 1 provides opportunities to explore how teachers' beliefs about language and literacy learning impact how they view their students' writing. Chapter 2 introduces three teachers who tell their personal stories of transition from a traditional approach to spelling instruction to incorporating the study of spelling in use in their whole language classrooms. Chapter 3 provides suggestions for developing ways to systematically study and assess children's spelling in use. Chapter 4 presents the "nuts and bolts" of spelling instruction in a whole language classroom. Chapter 5 provides practical help in communicating with parents about the teaching of spelling in use. The final ~hapter responds to questions that teachers most often ask about spelling instruction. Contains 19 references. (RS)

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