Saddleback College
ENGLISH 334 SPELLING SKILLS FOR COLLEGE
Fall 2006
Cheryl Altman,
Instructor
Office: Temporary site:
Library 325B or CC6
Phone: 949-582-4954
Email: caltman@saddleback.edu
Class website:
http://socccd.blackboard.com
Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday: 9:16 - 10:15; 12 - 1:30; Tuesday: 6-7 in the Reading Lab CC6
Library 325B
COURSE SYLLABUS
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to help students identify individual spelling
deficiencies and learn basic spelling rules. The causes of spelling errors and correct pronunciation will
be discussed. Through classroom instruction, lab use, and testing, students will learn to sharpen their
spelling ability.
TEXTBOOK/MATERIALS:
 PROGRAMED SPELLING DEMONS by George W. Feinstein
 A pocket dictionary such as THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY
 Course pack - to be purchased in the bookstore
 Three-ring notebook with standard lined paper and dividers as follows:
 NOTES/RULES, QUIZZES/TESTS, CHAPTER REVIEW TESTS
 Blue or black pens (may use erasable ink)
 Pocket stapler or paper clips
 Highlighter pen
 Journal Binder Folder: two dividers: WORD LOG, JOURNAL WRITING
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Students will:
1. improve dictionary skills
2. improve accuracy in spelling college level words
3. learn to develop proofreading skills
4. remediate individual spelling limitations
5. apply principles of pronunciation as a guide to accurate spelling
METHODS OF EVALUATION:
Class:
1. diagnostic testing and placement
2. short lectures/discussions
3. practice writing exercises, proofreading activities, quizzes
4. dictation exercises
5. weekly quizzes, mid-term, final exam
6. collaborative learning groups
Lab attendance/assignments:
1. independent practice on assigned work using lab materials
Assignments:
1. spelling log and journal (minimum 80 self-selected words)
2. exercises in text/proofreading assignments
3. writing assignments for practicing spelling strategies
GRADING
 attendance, participation, and completion of class
exercises and group work
 completion of assignments, word log/journals
 quizzes, mid-term, final exam:
 completion of lab work
Total:
25%
25%
30%
20%
100%
CLASS PROCEDURES
1. Attendance is mandatory - arrangements should be made with me to make up work if you are absent.
All work must be completed one week after the absence. Work not turned in on time will be lowered
a grade. Missed quizzes or exams must be made up on your first day back in class; otherwise, there
will be no makeup. There are no make-ups for the mid-term or final.
You must attend class on a regular basis to receive credit for this course. After two absences,
arrange for a conference with me. If you are absent for a total of six cumulative instructional
hours or three class periods, you may be dropped from this class. Please don’t let this happen.
2. If an absence is unavoidable due to extreme circumstances, some class work can be made
up in the Reading Lab (CC6), but will not be counted as part of your lab time.
3. WORD LOG/JOURNAL: Spelling is a lifetime skill which will improve with practice. You are
expected to review spelling words daily. Therefore, the best way to practice is to keep a spelling
log/journal which should include words you are having a difficult time remembering how to spell.
 Part A: WORD LOG - to help you remember how to spell a difficult word.
Ten words are due every other week.
 Write the word ten times.





say it
spell it aloud/visualize it
say it again
write it
Write 2 sentences with the word used in context.
 Part B: JOURNAL WRITING - every other week a written journal entry is due which will
focus on anything you want it to: observations, experiences, your opinion of a book, newspaper
or magazine article, etc. Minimum entry is one paragraph. Maximum entry – two pages. This is
to help you practice your spelling skills and develop proficiency with writing.
4. Quizzes and tests will be given from the assigned textbook and classroom discussions.
5. Reading Lab. Students are required to complete a minimum of 16 hours of work in the reading lab.
Individualized assignments will be given to each student and are due 4 times during the semester. The
due dates are posted on the bottom of your lab contract.
6. Rules for Writing Assignments:
 Write in ink on one side of the page (do not write on the back). If your handwriting is hard to
read, write on every other line. Typewritten work is always welcome.
 Staple or paper clip pages together - do not bend the edges.
 On tests and quizzes, write only on one side of a page. When fill-in answers are required, write
next to the left-hand margin. Do not write in two columns.
 Write all misspelled words on out-of-class assignments 10 times on a separate paper and place in
your journal
 Heading on all papers should use MLA format written in the upper left hand corner of your
paper:

EXAMPLE:





Student’s Name
Instructor's Name
Course and days it meets
Date: day, month, year
Keiko Manami
Prof. Altman
English 234 Tues.
26 August 2006
The neater and clearer your handwriting is, the easier it will be for you to spell correctly.
NOTE:
 If you have a learning disability or need special accommodations for this course, please notify
the instructor. All information is kept strictly confidential.
 Please turn off pagers and cell phones when you come to class.
Spelling WebSites:
Below are some excellent websites that can help you practice your spelling.
*Spelling Troublesome Words: tips on how to study spelling and what type of words to focus on:
http://www.utexas.edu/student/lsc/handouts/1112.html
Information on spelling for Teachers with LD students -:
http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/teaching_techniques/spelling_test.html
Dictionary Resources on the web
http://www.cs.nmsu.edu/~dtappan/dictionaries.html
Spelling Bee: word of the week, lists of spelling bee words
http://www.spellingbee.com/studyact.htm
*Webster dictionary online:
http://www.m-w.com/netdict.htm
*Great site for info on spelling. Includes homonyms/mnemonics/ etc
http://webster.commnet.edu/hp/pages/darling/grammar/spelling.htm
homonyms: confusables gives examples in context as well as definitions:
http://webster.commnet.edu/HP/pages/darling/grammar/notorious/notorious_frames.htm
*Plurals/interactive spelling site;
http://members.home.net/englishzone/spelling/spelling.html
Info on how to teach spelling + bibliography:
http://homepage.tinet.ie/~seaghan/spellings/spellinfo.htm
Children spelling self-test - fun for adults; it is challenging. Misspelled word must be checked off and then
correctly spelled. Immediate feedback.
http://www.funbrain.com/spell/