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What is an effective method for constructing spelling lists?

I want to put together my own spelling lists. I know that some teachers go by grouping word families eg. cat, mat, that. Is there a more effective way?

Public Comments

1. I use the words their way curriculum. It comes with an asessment and places kids in developmentally appropriate levels where they are studying basically words with similar spelling patters - how to distinguish between the er/ar/or ending for example. Some teachers in my school pull from a standardized graded list plus words from that the kids have missed in their writing along with words from the current topic or theme. This proved too difficult for me. I've tried a bunch of different curriculums and really - words their way was the best.
2. If you work in the early grades or special ed, try McCraken Spelling Through Phonics. It is one of the most effective ways to teach early spelling and reading at the same time. You can get the book on eBay or Half.com.
3. I've never taught spelling. I've only observed my sons' assignments and my students' assignments, plus I'm full of opinions. Hopefully thoughtful opinions. It seems to me coordinating spelling words with words they are encountering in their other reading is useful. But probably very work intensive. Tying things in will holidays and seasonal words is very popular with my grade school-aged sons. I don't see in what way grouping word families would be helpful. I could get all the spelling words but just putting the correct lead consonant in front of the common ending. I work mainly with upper levels. Maybe this is appropriate for younger grades. I am quite impressed with a high school level spelling test I've seen that includes frequently confused words. So you must learn the difference between presence and presents and the like.