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Spelling

Click below to watch a short video clip that shows Tina Scholtes teaching first graders a handy spelling pattern that helps them recognize word clusters.

Many people think spelling comes naturally to some and not to others. Actually, good spellers aren't born, they're taught. Nearly 90 percent of English words can be spelled if you know the basic patterns, principles, and rules of spelling.

Students can use these rules as an aid to spelling unknown words. If a child can spell a word, he or she can usually read the word. Good spellers end up as better readers and writers.

How Spelling Supports Reading

By: Louisa Moats (2006)

Many young readers are puzzled by the rules and exceptions of spelling. Research has shown, however, that learning to spell and learning to read rely on much of the same underlying knowledge. Read this article to learn more about the relationships between letters and sounds and how a proper understanding of spelling mechanics can lead to improved reading.

Spelling: Watch & Learn

By: Reading Rockets (2004)

The following are three short video clips that offer you the chance to watch and learn effective techniques for teaching spelling. The video clips are from Reading Rockets' PBS television series Launching Young Readers.

Word Study: A New Approach to Teaching Spelling

By: Diane Henry Leipzig (2000)

"Word study" is an alternative to traditional spelling instruction. It is based on learning word patterns rather than memorizing unconnected words. This article describes the word study approach.

Putting Spelling in Perspective

By: Donald R. Bear, M.A. Invernizzi, S. Templeton, and Francine Johnston (1996)

There are about 400,000 words in a dictionary. Only 13 percent of these words are truly exceptional, in that they must be memorized by sight.

Spelling: Instructional Guidelines

By: Elaine Lutz (1986)

A spelling program has many components. Some of the main components that each grade level should introduce are highlighted below.

Spelling

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