Spelling: So Much More Than Memorization
Learn how to improve students’ spelling abilities by strengthening their word-solving skills.
No more test on Friday, misspell on Monday! During this two-day workshop, you will learn about the multifaceted, frequently misunderstood concept of spelling and how you can teach for strong spelling skills.
- Classroom Teachers 1-6
- Interventionists/Specialists
- Literacy Coaches/Teacher Leaders
Research has long-shown that the mere memorization of how to spell words is not enough! Spelling is a complex process of learning how to draw upon multiple sources of knowledge (phonology, morphology, orthography, and etymology) and then using this knowledge in flexible ways to accurately write words. This two-day workshop will provide you with needed information about a variety of ways to study words and how you can help students become engaged and excited about the spelling of words.
Topics Include:
- Current research to help you make informed decisions about spelling instruction
- Building students’ knowledge and use of spelling patterns, phonemic awareness, morphology, orthography, and etymology
- Teaching children to be strategic in the ways they can solve words to spell accurately
- Assessment of students’ spelling skills, including error analysis and spelling surveys
- Multiple ways to teach for and expand students’ spelling skills
You’ll earn 10 clock hours for this training.
Heather Rodman, Literacy Coach 
Prior to joining the Center for Reading Recovery and Literacy Collaborative as a Primary Trainer, Heather was a Kindergarten, first, second, third, and fourth grade classroom teacher in Middletown, CT for 16 years. She was also a Primary Literacy Coordinator for five years where she provided literacy training and coaching to K-5 teachers. In addition, she was a member of the Connecticut Department of Education Common Core State Standards Curriculum Design Team for English Language Arts.
Required Materials
- The Comprehensive Phonics, Spelling, and Word Study Guide, Second Edition (mailed to you as part of registration)
Cancellation Deadline & Refund Policies
You have until one week before the first day of this offering to cancel your registration. The cancellation deadline is April 24, 2025. There is a $50 cancellation fee. If you request a cancellation after the deadline, you will not be issued a refund. Substitution requests are acceptable. Please email CRRLC@lesley.edu if you have a cancellation or substitution request.
Registration Deadline
The registration portal closes at 5pm ET on April 30, 2025. If you register within the week before the start of this training, you may experience delays in receiving the required professional text included with your registration and you may incur additional fees for expedited shipping.
Requirements for Participation
After the training, you will receive a certificate of attendance for your participation. To receive a complete certificate, participation during the specified times is required. Additional work may be assigned to meet the clock hours.
In-Person or Virtual Attendance
You may choose to attend this training in-person at Lesley University or virtually in real time. Should any of the conditions change and it is determined the training will be offered virtually only, you will be notified as soon as possible. We recommend that you contact us before reserving travel and lodging.
If you choose to attend in-person, the training room will have Lesley University’s HyFlex Classroom Technology to support an engaging learning environment for in-person and virtual participants. If you have questions about in-person or virtual attendance, please email us at CRRLC@lesley.edu.
On-Site Professional Development
We can deliver this training to your school/district. This option can be delivered virtually or in-person for a group within your school/district. For detailed costs, complete our online form to request this training for your school/district and we will contact you.
Interested in professional learning at your school or district? Schedule a meeting with one of our faculty trainers
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