Improving Spelling Proficiency Using Centers
Abstract
Many students struggle with spelling; this is especially true with students with special needs. This study looked at the effectiveness of using centers to improve students’ overall spelling proficiency. It examined seven fifth grade students in a resource room classroom as they used various multi-sensory centers over four weeks time. Students were given a list of second grade high frequency words to spell before and after the trial period, as well as weekly spelling tests on the misspelled high frequency words, to determine progress. Student work samples were also analyzed to determine whether students were applying spelling words correctly in their writing. All data was compared to students’ participation in centers, whether they remained at one center for two weeks or rotated between various centers for two weeks. The study concluded that centers provide short-term learning benefits, but not long-term benefits. Further research could be conducted with a larger sample size and over a longer duration to see if different outcomes take place.
Many students struggle with spelling; this is especially true with students with special needs. This study looked at the effectiveness of using centers to improve students’ overall spelling proficiency. It examined seven fifth grade students in a resource room classroom as they used various multi-sensory centers over four weeks time. Students were given a list of second grade high frequency words to spell before and after the trial period, as well as weekly spelling tests on the misspelled high frequency words, to determine progress. Student work samples were also analyzed to determine whether students were applying spelling words correctly in their writing. All data was compared to students’ participation in centers, whether they remained at one center for two weeks or rotated between various centers for two weeks. The study concluded that centers provide short-term learning benefits, but not long-term benefits. Further research could be conducted with a larger sample size and over a longer duration to see if different outcomes take place.