Proficiency in spelling and vocabulary are intertwined with proficiency in reading and writing. Understanding the relationships between arrangements of letters and sounds, words, and meanings is critical to reading comprehension, expressing oneself well in writing, and enjoying (rather than struggling with) literature.

Spelling and Vocabulary classes are based on the Spellwell and Vocabu-Lit programs. Spellwell encourages students to discover and formulate spelling rules and generalizations and reinforces students’ understanding through a variety of supporting activities. Class time is used for pre- and post-assessments, lessons, and group games. Students deepen their understanding at home by working on such supporting activities as finding rhyming words, sorting words, adding affixes, writing words in puzzles and stories, and finding words from other sources that fit the pattern demonstrated in the current lesson.

Vocabu-Lit draws on excerpts from literature and passages from informational texts in the fields of English language arts, history/social studies, science, and math to expand vocabulary. A range of vocabulary-related activities deepen students’ understanding by encouraging them to infer meanings, recognize associations and relationships between words, and use words in new contexts.

Grades 5-8

Meets 55 minutes per week for two semesters

Cost: $255 per semester

To enroll, please visit the Homeschool Campus website and select “Jennifer Murphy” from the instructor dropdown menu: Homeschool Campus website