Weekly Lesson Plan for 4th Grade “Spelling for
Writer’s” Program
The following is a sample weekly lesson plan that teachers can
follow. It gives recommend activities and time frames for
each day of the spelling program. Teachers have the option
of modifying as they see fit for themselves and their
students.
Day 1:
This usually takes 15-20 minutes. It may take longer initially as
the program is introduced to the students.
The following activities should be completed:
 Pre-Test (12 words are given a week)
 Self-Scoring using an overhead or paper copy
 Students choose below, at, or above grade level words from
Shopping List. Options are detailed below:
o Teacher Choice
 Limit the selection
 Base word choice on Pretest scores
 For Example: 12 words correct – above (etc)
o Student Choice
 Students challenge themselves, but be realistic
 Teacher monitors and makes suggestions based on
previous words chosen and scores received by
individuals
 Making New Lists:
o Copy words onto their School and At Home lists
o Option: Students bring list up to teacher after creating At
Home List, teacher checks over list, and staples list into
the Assignment Notebook
 Possible homework can be given from the “Dear Family” section,
located on the back of the At Home List.
Day 2:
Day 2 is creating the Generalization for the Week. Students will
do a word sort with their words. A worksheet can be given with predrawn word boxes for students to copy their list onto. After completing
word sorts, the students, along with the teacher, create the
generalization for the week. The generalization is copied into their
spelling workbook.
* See time allotted for activity below Day 3 description.
Day 3:
Day 3 is the Prove It day. Students go into books they are
reading and find other words that fit the week’s generalization and
pattern. They can then share these words with their classmates.
There is an option of creating an Anchor (Prove It) poster with these
different words each week. The description of the Anchor Poster is
found on page xiv of the Teacher Workbook.
The Prove-It activity is also an option. Not every teacher does it
each week, but the activity is encouraged by the Spelling Team. You
may use it as you see fit, depending on the week’s pattern.
If done separately, each takes about 10-15 minutes. We suggest
combining these two lessons. They go well together. If done together,
these lessons take about 20-30 minutes.
Day 4:
This is the In-Class Writing portion of the program. Students
are asked to use their spelling words in a variety of writing activities.
The writing portion can be used in class or as homework. Many
activities tie well into Writer’s Workshop. If this portion is done in
class, it usually takes 15-20 minutes.
Day 5:
This usually takes 15-20 minutes. It includes the following
portion:
Post-Test, which is done with partners
Word Play
At the beginning of the year, this portion may take the longest.
You will need to give instruction on how to give a partner test and more
time will need to be allowed for giving the Post-Test. By mid-year, this
becomes much quicker, with the time given above as the normal time
frame.
There is also a Word Play portion to Day 5. Word Play includes a
variety of word games that students can do before or after the PostTest. This portion is not a requirement for the program and most of us
use it as we see fit and not every week.