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Spelling

Literacy Connections - Spelling

 

SUPPORTING YOUR TIGER WITH TIGER WITH SPELLING

 

Literacy Connections - Spelling (PDF Version)

 

  1. WHAT IS SPELLING?

Spelling is more than memorizing how a word looks. It’s about connecting sounds to letters in a systematic way. Good spellers listen for the individual sounds (phonemes) in a word and match them to the letters or letter patterns (graphemes) that represent those sounds. This process helps children not only spell words but also become stronger readers and writers.

 

  1. WHY IS SPELLING IMPORTANT?

Spelling is a key part of literacy. When children can spell, they build automaticity with words, which frees their brain to focus on comprehension while reading and generating ideas while writing. Research shows that poor spelling is not something children are “born with”. All students can improve their spelling skills with explicit instruction and practice.

 

  1. WHY DOES SPELLING TAKE TIME?

Learning to spell takes lots of practice. Just like reading, spelling requires many exposures before a word or pattern “sticks.” Some words follow predictable rules, while others require extra practice because of irregular patterns. It’s normal for children to keep practicing the same words or patterns many times before they become automatic.

 

  1. WHY DON’T YOU TEACH SPELLING ANYMORE?

Parents sometimes wonder why they don’t see traditional weekly spelling lists coming home. Rest assured, spelling is very much still taught. In fact, spelling is part of the Missouri Learning Standards beginning in kindergarten and continuing all the way through high school. Instead of memorizing lists of unrelated words for a Friday test, students learn spelling through word study. This means they practice spelling patterns and rules so they can apply their learning when reading and writing. For example, instead of memorizing hit, sit, fit, students may focus on the short i vowel sound across many words. Or, students might study the silent-e pattern that makes a vowel long. This way, they’re learning a transferable rule that applies to dozens of words, not just a few on a test.

Spelling Activities

  • Say a word slowly (like ship). Have your child tap each sound on their fingers: /sh/-/i/-/p/. Then have them write the letters that match the sounds.

  • Draw 2-4 boxes on paper. Say a word like ‘cat’. Your child pushes a coin or chip into each box as they say each sound /c/-/a/-/t/, then writes the letters in the boxes.

  • Say a short sentence (The dog ran fast.). Your child writes it down, listening for sounds and applying spelling patterns. Go back together and check for accuracy.

  • Set a timer for 1 minute. Call out a word your child is learning. They write it as many times as they can in that minute, saying the sounds as they go.

  • Write a word your child is practicing, but leave out one letter or part (for example, _ap for map or _ip for chip). Have your child fill in the missing sound/letter(s). Say the word aloud together and check.

  • Say a word aloud. Have your child clap for each syllable (for example, pic-nic = 2 claps). Then, they write the word, breaking it into syllables as they spell. This helps with longer words and connects spelling to pronunciation.