St. Mary has adopted a spelling program that differs from a customary spelling program in which each unit opens with a word list followed by activities to prepare students for the Friday Test. The goal in the old program was to learn the words for the test. After the test, the words vanished from the minds of the students.

Sitton Spelling has a research-based instructional design that ensures that students learn to spell for writing-to spell forever, not just for a test. Further, students learn to spell within the framework of a total word-skills curriculum. Words tested and targeted for mastery are researched high-frequency writing words called Core Words. They are used as “spring-boards” for additional experiences with words. Instructional strategies that guide students to learn the Core Words long term, and the words and skills they generate, follow evidence-based practices. This exciting program will be used in grades 1-6 this year with the intention of including the junior high next year.

We expect that Sitton Spelling will help our students to become proficient spellers on standardized tests, but mostly in everyday writing.