How to Be a Good Speller

My third-grader has always been an excellent speller -- acing most of the tests -- until this year. I'm not sure that his spelling tests are age-appropriate. Ten of the words are given as normal spelling words, and the other 10 are given in dictation sentences that he must write.
I retype the spelling words and dictation sentences. I print out a copy so my son can practice and study the words as well as the sentences. Now, he is feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Is there a better way to help him learn these spelling words? -- Help Needed
Answer: In third grade, many schools are using spelling programs that are following the same testing method as your son's school. It is important for students to be able to spell words in isolation; however, when students are given whole sentences to write down and spell, teachers are not only looking at the students' spelling skills but also observing their listening and processing skills. This makes the test more difficult, but it will pay dividends in the future.
There is a better way to help your son prepare for the test. He does not need to do more than look over your typed page. Then you need to test your son in the same way that the teacher will be testing him in school. Every evening, give him the first 10 words on the spelling list followed by the sentences. He will write everything down just as he would do at school. When you are dictating the sentences to your son, have him put down his pencil and listen as you read the entire first sentence to him. Then have your son repeat the sentence aloud so that he has all the words in his head. He has now heard the sentence twice and should be able to write it down. Continue until he has written all 10 sentences.
Now comes the important part. Your son needs to correct his work comparing it to the typed copy. All misspelled words and sentences with errors need to be rewritten. You may need to help him see errors at first. Have him study the corrected copy and test him over this, following the same correction technique. On the night or two nights before the test, test him once more over all the words and sentences.