Before the week begins I choose 12 high frequency words as a "pretest". I get the words from kid's work and Fountas and Pinnell's  500 word list.  The pretest is not graded. When kids get their spelling lists for the week I circle any high frequency words they missed and therefore MUST take as their spelling words. Then I write a number down below.This lets the kids know how many MORE words they need to choose.  In this way some kids could have 10 words, others 15. I can differentiate amount and also difficulty.  Sometimes I have words in different boxes based on difficulty.  Where ever I put numbers, that the box you pick from.  Confused?  Don't worry, after 1 week doing it the kids get it!

The kids write their words on the index card and keep it in their "pocket" on the chart.  I change card color each week for management. Also, I keep a white card in the back with the number of the pocket and the child's name. Sometimes the chart has fallen over and OOPS all the cards fell out. 

I often repeat the high frequency words because some kids cannot learn a word in 1 week. I've had a student take the word "sentence" 6 weeks in a row. But you know what? After 6 weeks HE LEARNED HOW TO SPELL IT!  I love my spelling system! This totally helps with the kids who learn the word for Friday but can't really spell it.  I use many words over and over in my "High Frequency Words" to see if they really know how to spell a word. 

Kids lists have a common spelling pattern, but the words they have chosen could be different.  It is therefore very important that kids bring home their Word Study notebooks because you can't just call a friend for the words. Kids also have "Spelling Buddies".  The Buddy is responsible for giving the Buddy Check on Wednesay and the spelling test on Friday- remember- everyone has different words so I can't do it.  I DO however, correct the tests.