The Houghton Mifflin Spelling and Vocabulary program for fourth grade teaches students grade level appropriate words by using a word study program.  The program teaches students to learn spelling principles and patterns and apply them to new words.  Spelling and vocabulary words are aligned with stories from our reading anthology.

Spelling

Students will be given a spelling pretest early in the week.  We will then discuss the rule (spelling principle or pattern) for the week and students will categorize their spelling words according to this rule.  Throughout the week students will complete various spelling activities to reinforce their understanding of this rule.  Spelling tests will be given at the end of the week.

Students who demonstrate a mastery of the spelling principle or pattern on the pretest day will be given a challenge list of spelling words to study.  This list utilizes the same rule for the week but the words are at a more challenging level.  Qualifying for challenge list is on a week to week basis and depends on each student's individual understanding of the spelling principle or pattern for the week. 

Vocabulary