The Sourcebook Series is a spiraling collection of essential skills for able spellers, writers, and wordsmiths. Skills spiral through each level to provide layer upon layer of skill work to ensure skill mastery and application. Skills spiral from level to level, always with ample skill review, to guide students to reach more sophisticated understandings.

This is a different approach from the customary spelling program in which each unit may focus on a skill, then moves on to another and another throughout the series. Yet, learning theory tells us that students learn best in small increments over time. The Sourcebook approaches skill development in alignment with this research.

There is another difference between a customary skill approach and the Sourcebook method. Teachers using the Sourcebook have a menu of skill-based activity choices so that their judgment comes into play as instructional decisions are made.

Teachers select the skill work from the menu of choices in each unit to meet the needs of their students. Some of the activity choices in each unit are on grade level, some are below grade level, and some are above. While teachers usually know best which activities reflect the appropriate challenge for their students, many still wonder what to do when a skill activity is too challenging for some or all of their students. Some may select a less challenging activity from their menu of choices or provide more teacher direction to lessen the challenge—or they can simply move on. The latter choice may be best! Since the skills are all recycled, a pause from that skill topic may help students regroup. Later, when the skill surfaces in a subsequent unit, students are sufficiently refreshed to achieve success! Remember, students using the Sitton methodology learn skills over time.

Many of the Sourcebook skill-building activities overlap with skills taught throughout the communication curriculum. The Sourcebook is a teacher’s ideal source to complement whatever materials they already have in place. For this reason, not every skill in a Sourcebook unit is necessary for instruction. Teachers usually know best which activities reflect the appropriate content for their learners. Yet, teachers often fear that if they bypass a skill or concept in any one unit, they may be putting their skill work at risk. Following are two ideas to ease their mind.

First, teachers can include in their instructional agenda the Test Ready section, Build Assessment Readiness, which focuses on one essential skill that is tested at the end of the unit on the Skill Test. Using this section of every unit ensures over time that every essential skill is taught. It is not optional.

Second, the Scope and Sequence Chart indicates which skills are taught and reviewed in each unit of the Series. Teachers can use this chart to determine when the skill they contemplate bypassing is reinforced in subsequent units to afford students another layer of exposure. The Scope and Sequence Chart is in the back of each Third Edition Sourcebook.

Teachers new to the program or new to the profession may want to work cooperatively—at least for a while—to select Sourcebook activities. Once a comfortable routine is established, teachers can give it a try on their own.

The opportunity to select skills for instruction puts an additional charge on teachers, yet—on the other hand—it puts teachers in charge! They are the professional in the classroom and need the flexibility to make instructional decisions. Sitton Spelling and Word Skills should serve as their ally to create a curriculum that meets the specific needs of the learners.