We are implementing the Guided Spelling Program in a multigraded 4/5 classroom. The majority of the students are engaged with the program and it is creating meaning for them in their understanding of how to spell. The challenge we are having is with the GATE students in the class who say that the words are "to easy" and who are becoming distracted and disengaged with the program. Do you have any suggestions for differentiation or curriculum recommendations? Strategies to keep them engaged? Should we move them further along in the program or to the next grade elvel curriculum? Thanks for your input.
Thanks for your question about Guided Spelling. We're so happy to hear that you're having success with the program in your classroom.
The question of differentiation is always a challenging one. I did talk with a fifth grade teacher not too long ago who had a similar problem. She choose to let those students who had already mastered the content work independently during Guided Spelling time on other, spelling-related activities. She had a couple of computer activities that she let those students use. One set of activities were online based activities from her basal publisher, the other program was called Lexia. I believe it's a subscription based program. You can learn more about it at lexialearning.com.
As far as using the next grade level up. I don't see a problem with it if you are a K-5 school and you'd like to use the grade 6 program with them.
Perhaps there are others out there that have more suggestions.
Hope this helps!
