Spelling Homework, Flow Map Summaries....and Can You Say FREEBIES?!

 I posted about a Summarizing Breakthrough that I had with my students awhile ago. You can go back and check that post out here! As I was going through my posts, I was wondering why I didn't share that file?! If your students are struggling with summary writing, give a try to the worksheet I created. You can find it for FREE at my TPT store The students use a flow map to draw pictures of the most important events that happened in the story. They use their flow map to write a summary. I had my students just write a simple sentence or two to describe each picture. If you do use it, please let me know how it works for your students!! My students even use this for their weekly reading responses and they draw it out on their own. I love it!! :)

Secondly, I wanted to share a Super Spelling Contract that I created. I know many of you have probably experimented with contracts and allowing your students to work on an assignment throughout the week, which means they need to manage their time and be responsible!! Of course, this will not work for every class but I make a big deal in the beginning of the year how I feel this class is Responsible enough to HANDLE having a contract and it is a privilege. I get bored with assigning the same assignments for spelling homework each work. With this contract, students are able to choose which assignment they will work on for the week. There are three different columns to choose from and one study option. Students are only allowed to pick ONE item from each column per week. The reason is because the assignments in each column vary in difficulty. Parents have seemed to really like the contract too. Since many students have practice, church, or other things going on after school, they have the flexibility throughout the week to get it done on their 'off days'.

The students really enjoy being able to choose the assignment they want to complete. I also make them check off and date the assignment once it has been completed. The catch here is that the students are only allowed to do 'abc order' once during the month. This was my tricky way of making them think they have the choice, but really they end up doing nearly all the assignments on the contract throughout the month. At the beginning of each month, I give out a new contract and they write the month on top. If you would like your own copy of this Super Spelling Contract you can pick one up at my TPT store!!

I will be giving a FREE copy of this contract to the first TWO comments who leave their email. If you REALLY want a free copy and are too late...post a link about my blog or any of my free resources, leave a comment that you did and this contract is yours :)