My question at this point in my research is: What instructional strategies can I use during the week to help my 2nd graders practice their spelling words? (This would be the broad question more for the class)... a more refined questions in response to my 4 focal students would be: What instructional strategies are beneficial to my 2nd grade English Language Learners that are struggling with spelling in English?

What I have learned about the learning of my class: I have noticed that students have been great teachers. When partnered up with each other, they have really enjoyed quizzing each other on how to spell particular words. These interactions have been meaningful to them and have engaged them more than if I were to give a random lesson about spelling. I also have realized that keeping them informed of their progress as well as goals I have for them helps keep them on track with their work. Students are working harder to do better and I can see the excitement on their faces as they see their spelling scores. Although I don't do it as much because I'm afraid of the invalidity of the work is to have students correct their own tests. When students have corrected their tests (I did this with pre-tests) they were more aware of the mistakes they made and how to self-correct. 

Knowing this about how my students learn has impacted my practice because it has made me much more aware of the fact that students need to be involved. Although I'm the teacher, I don't want to return graded work without discussing it and having students view their work and review it. I want students to take part in the process and internalize their learning and through metacognition have them become more insightful and critical thinking students. 

As I near the end of my inquiry I have seen the progression (as well as lack of progression) that many of my students have made. I now hear them say "Man! I forgot to put an r at the end". They are internalizing their work and seeing where they went wrong and how they could have fixed it. Students are also more excited about weekly tests and the in class spelling games associated with it.

After discussing my inquiry with my small group, I wish I would have blogged more frequently throughout my inquiry. Had I kept a weekly blog about how the weekly spelling test went, I think that I could have retained more information, such as what words were difficult for students, certain factors that affected students' performance. My inquiry is coming to a close. I have about 4 more weeks of spelling tests and then we'll be finished. I already have my findings, but it would be nice to have the final numbers to show how my students did.