Spelling Testing and Record Keeping
Placement Test Instructions
We will all have a spelling test now. Put everything off your desk except a piece of paper and blue pen and a red pen (no pencils).
After every 10 words we will stop and correct the test as a class. The purpose of this test is to measure each student’s current knowledge and identify your individual level for the Step Up In Spelling Program.
Please write the numbers 1 – 20 down the left hand side of your page in red pen.
I will:
Say the spelling word
Put the word in a sentence
Repeat the spelling word
You will:
Put your hand up now if have trouble hearing me
Pick up your blue pen
Listen carefully
Write the word down
Check your answer
Keep your eyes on your own work
After the test I will:
Write the answers on the board and spell out the words for you to check
You will pick up your red pen and circle the mistakes only
There are no half points and if you didn’t get enough time to write the word down it is considered a mistake for the purpose of this test
Write the number of words you spelt incorrectly at the bottom of the page
All students will attempt the first two tests
If you have three or more mistakes after the first two tests you do not need to continue with the next test
Red Level Test
1 / Across / It is rude to reach across the table at dinner time. / across2 / Axe / The log was cut with a sharp axe. / axe
3 / Broom / Mum sweeps the kitchen floor every evening with a broom. / broom
4 / Coat / I have a lovely warm green coat. / coat
5 / Eighty / My grandmother will turn eighty next week. / eighty
6 / House / How many bedrooms are there in your house? / house
7 / Rain / I love the rain after a hot day. / rain
8 / School / I have a spelling test at school today. / school
9 / Teeth / Do you brush your teeth twice a day? / teeth
10 / Wall / I couldn’t see over the wall. / wall
Correct your answers
Orange Level Test
1 / Amount / The amount of people living in Australia is rising. / amount2 / Dinner / What would you like to eat for dinner? / dinner
3 / Half / Half of the students in this class have brown eyes. / half
4 / Knife / I cut the apple with a knife. / knife
5 / Leather / My shoes are made of leather. / leather
6 / Pillow / Is your pillow soft or hard? / pillow
7 / Police / I called the police when my house was robbed. / police
8 / Said / My mother said I should do my homework. / said
9 / Sweet / The oranges were sweet and juicy. / sweet
10 / Too / I am too big to fit into my old jeans. / too
Correct your answers
Students who have three or more mistakes do not need to participate in the next test.
You may wish to read silently or work on a work sheet provided by your teacher.
Yellow Level Test
1 / Although / Although it was raining I went for a walk. / although2 / Chief / The chief of the tribe was tall and strong. / chief
3 / Does / What does your pet like to do? / does
4 / Forty / People who are forty like to think they are still young. / forty
5 / Honey / I always put honey on my toast. / honey
6 / Kitchen / The kitchen is my favourite room in the house. / kitchen
7 / Ocean / The ocean was blue and still. / ocean
8 / Season / Spring is my favourite season. / season
9 / Telephone / Can you say your telephone number backwards? / telephone
10 / Twelve / Do you know your twelve times tables? / twelve
Correct the words
Green Level Test
1 / Arithmetic / I am very good at arithmetic. / arithmetic2 / Cocoa / This cake has 3 table spoons of cocoa in it. / cocoa
3 / Course / I would like to do a photography course in the holidays. / course
4 / Either / My sister is either in her room listening to music or watching TV. / either
5 / Figure / Can you ice skate in a figure eight? / figure
6 / Lose / I always lose my keys in the morning. / lose
7 / Neighbour / My neighbour has two noisy dogs. / neighbour
8 / Sandwiches / My dad made me jam sandwiches for lunch. / sandwiches
9 / Sincerely / I sincerely hope you work hard on your spelling. / sincerely
10 / Umbrella / The umbrella shop closed down in the drought. / umbrella
Correct the words
If you have two or more mistakes in the Yellow and Green Tests you do not need to continue with the next test. You may wish to read silently or work on a work sheet provided by your teacher.
Blue Level Test A
1 / Psychology / My sister is studying Psychology this year in VCE. / psychology2 / Extremely / I am extremely nervous about swimming in the ocean. / extremely
3 / Auditorium / The auditorium was full of people but no one made a sound. / auditorium
4 / Alternative / There is always an alternative way to live your life. / alternative
5 / Harass / Don’t harass the teachers for more homework. / harass
6 / Hilarious / The play I saw was hilarious. / hilarious
7 / Fluorescent / Some people don’t like fluorescent lights. / fluorescent
8 / Dependant / I have a husband and two dependant children. / dependant
9 / Avocado / I love eating avocado and chicken sandwiches. / avocado
10 / Broccoli / I have broccoli growing in my garden. / broccoli
If you have one mistake in the Blue Test A you are to start your spelling program at Blue Level 1
If you have made no mistakes you are to start your spelling program at Blue Level 7
If you are confident that you can spell all of the words on the spelling list without making any mistakes please see your teacher and arrange for a different spelling list.
(The Advanced Spelling List is on the web site.)