Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Spelling Tests Many teachers have done away with traditional spelling tests, but in my third grade classroom last year, I saw the negative influence upon students, especially in their writing. Though phonics instruction was provided early on in their education, the lack of spelling instruction resulted in their lack of knowledge of spelling and recognizing words within different texts. Should spelling tests be implemented again, or are they too outdated for today's students? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) This year was the first year I have not used spelling tests, and I just went back to them last week. Spelling tests with random words are good, but I don't think that is the point of the tests. I think they are best used when they focus on a specific phonics pattern for the week. By having the students memorize those spellings, it will help them make connections for similar words in the future, even if that particular word was not on a spelling test. Sometimes repetition really is best.