Date of Award

1986

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Art

Department

Education

First Advisor

Rebecca Glenn

Second Advisor

John Dougherty

Third Advisor

Hal Zimmerman

Abstract

Traditionally, most spelling curricula includes the routine of introduction, practice, and testing of a weekly spelling lesson. This mundane repetition need not become a nemesis. The following spelling curriculum is a utilitarian approach to a spelling curriculum for the future. With this utilitarian approach, it can be made to enhance other work being performed in the classroom, making all experiences valuable in meaning other than learning a group of predetermined words chosen at random.

This utilitarian spelling program has been created because of a need to enhance legitimate meaning in the study of spelling. Past experiences have determined that students complete assignments in spelling to receive a grade and memorize spelling words for a weekly test. In later reading and writing exercises, students' retention of many previous words is quite limited. Therefore, the desire was to create a program that would have more meaning to students and enable them to see, understand, and use the words in their daily work.

Selecting the words was influenced by several sources. Consequently, the basic units of the eighth grade curriculum were reviewed. The curriculum envelops literature and composition. The BEST material is included since this is an important standardized test which is required for graduation.

This program was designed to be flexible in its teachings. The expectation was to create a program ~hat could be used to strengthen all areas of the curriculum and to eliminate some of the monotony of routine spelling. It is open-ended so that new units can be added to allow for the inclusion of all areas of the curriculum. Also, because of its flexibility, it is hoped that all levels of students will be able to receive the maximum benefits from a spelling program while developing in individual ways.

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