What is “I Can Switch It Spelling”?

Students are given individual letters cards to manipulate and spell 10 words that the teacher dictates. After the first word is spelled, each subsequent word is built by changing only one or two letters. The key instructional piece is that students are not told which letter(s) to change, rather, they sound out the word for themselves and determine which letter(s) to change. In this way, these lessons mimic “word ladders.”

What is the purpose of “I Can Switch It Spelling”? 

Research shows that having students learn a random list of spelling words does not transfer spelling accuracy to everyday writing. Our students need to learn the phonics spelling patterns of the different sounds in our language and then transfer those spelling patterns to multiple words. These lessons guide students to use and practice that skill.

This comprehensive spelling resource includes the following:

1. an explanation of “I Can Switch It” spelling

2. organizational tips for teaching these lessons

3. 6 lessons for each of the following phonics spelling patterns

   (i) CVC words with digraphs

   (ii) words with blends and digraphs

   (iii) CVCe words

   (iv) words with vowel teams

   (v) words with r-controlled vowels

   (vi) words with diphthongs

4. posters to help students master two common spelling generalizations: ck versus k spelling pattern  and the Floss Rule

5. two versions of the student recording sheet  

6. an example of a completed student sheet

7. letter cards to photocopy/print to create a class set for the lessons