Dictée

 

In our class, the weekly dictée is intended to help students improve spelling of frequently used words, to work on grammar in context with what they are learning, and to practice reading. This year, dictée will not be sent home to practise as homework. I have decided to reduce homework and promote rest and relaxation in the evenings so students are energized for the school day (see section on this website here titled 'homework'). However, if you feel compelled to practice dictée at home, I am okay with their work going home, provided it comes back each day. 

I will hand out our dictée practise sheet on Monday. Throughout the week we will have 3 or 4 sessions in class to practice aspects of the dictée. These activities vary (individual/group work/spelling/grammar/games/oral/written etc...)

​

On Thursdays or Fridays (depending on the week) I will give the dictée test, which students will self correct (I check to see that they found their mistakes) and I will record. They will empty the duotang at the end of each term. So a flawless duotang will have each dictée practise sheet followed by the corrected test for the entire term in order by date. I aim to send the duotang home periodically, just to show how they are doing. 

​

Our weekly dictée will alternate between frequently used words, and sentences highlighted by students in a magazine-style article or story. The stories help to engage the student and integrate the grammar into the learning. As there is more to remember in the sentences, they will have more mistakes, but the difficulty allows the range of ability levels to be challenged. 

Throughout the year I will remind kids to try their best without comparing their results to other students. It isn't about getting perfect, but showing improvements from week to week, while considering the difficulty of the text on that particular week. My mantra throughout the year: Mistakes + reflection = learning