How to Help Children Remember Spelling Words

Reading regularly helps students learn how to spell.

Trying to remember how to spell words frustrates many kids. Some students may even be reluctant to write because they don't know how to spell. Students who know sound-letter correspondences, such as the ending "-tion" corresponding with the sound "shun," are more prepared to sound out words than students who simply try to memorize words. Almost 50 percent of English words can be sounded out based on sound-letter correspondences, according to "Phoneme-Grapheme Correspondences as Cues to Spelling Improvement." However, practicing spelling words also reinforces spelling patterns and helps kids study for spelling tests.

Things You'll Need

• Index cards
• Markers
• Sidewalk chalk
• Window paint
• Glitter glue

Instructions

1. Say the word out loud. Students may be able to sound out how the word is spelled from how it sounds. Make sure students can pronounce words fluently before they practice spelling.

2. Identify patterns in the words. For example, if students struggle to spell a word that has a "sh" sound, give pupils a list of words that include the "sh" sound, such as wish, shop and dish. Help them find the "sh" sound and recognize how it is spelled.

3. Help students think of words that rhyme and have the same spelling patterns. For example, if students can spell "light," they can also spell "right" and "tight."

4. Separate the word into smaller word parts that you can sound out in your mind. For example, teach students to say "Wed-nes-day" in their mind while they spell "Wednesday."

5. Provide index cards and markers for students to make flash cards. On one side, they should illustrate the word; on the other side, they should write the correct spelling.

6. Help students write words in sidewalk chalk, window markers or glitter paint to make memorization more fun.

Tips & Warnings

• Parents and teachers should evaluate students' mistakes to determine whether they misunderstand a sound pattern. For example, students may repeatedly confuse "b" with "p." Helping students understand their errors is more productive than simply marking them as incorrect.

• Scrabble, Boggle and other spelling games help students practice spelling in a fun atmosphere.

References

• American Educator; How Words Cast Their Spell; R. Malatesha Joshi, et al.; 2008-2009
• George Mason University; Spelling; Bernadette Erwin
• Bank Street College: Writing Activities
• University of Kansas Special Connections: Spelling Instruction Procedures