Spelling Strategies

Things to keep in mind when spelling In this presentation we will look at : how to approach learning spellings How to apply strategies to learn and spell words

Learning Spellings Learning off spellings will help us become better spellers. However it is important to remember that learning off spellings is only part of being a better speller. The first thing to do when learning anything is to be aware of what your learning style is. Knowing what our learning style is will make our learning more effective.

The Seven Learning Styles Visual :You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding. Visual Aural : You prefer using sound and music. Aural Verbal You prefer using words, both in speech and writing. Verbal Physical You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch. Physical Logical : You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems. Logical Social : You prefer to learn in groups or with other people. Social Solitary : You prefer to work alone and use self-study. Solitary It is important to remember that most people have a combination of learning styles not one exclusive style. Take a learning style test Once you know how you learn best you can pick a learning method that suits that style. For example if you are a visual learner you will want to write out a word and look at it to see if it is correct, whereas if you are a aural learner you may want to sound out the word. But remember most people have a combination of learning styles so you may want to both write it out and sound it out.

Learning Spelling Look, Say, Cover, Write and Check 1.Look at the word 2.Say the word ( out loud or to yourself, whichever suits) 3.Cover the word. 4.Write it out. 5.Check it. This method can be done with a pen and paper or on a computer at

Learning Spelling Create a spelling list As you work through spellings you can keep a list You refer back to often to check your spelling. Usually this list contains words that you normally have trouble with or it could be a list of the most common words used. Use a Dictionary to look up words When working on words get in the habit of using a dictionary to look them up. This can be a normal book dictionary or an online dictionary like This is also available as an app on any smartphone

Learning Spelling Learning Spelling Online There are some good spelling websites that will help you to learn spellings. One which we have found very useful is: On this website you can do spelling tests and also if you sign up for the site you can save spelling lists. Some students have found this site very helpful and using it helps you develop your computer skills as well. Another good spelling site is

Break up the word/sound it out Learning to divide a word into syllables may help you to pronounce the word correctly and, as a result, help you to spell it correctly. A syllable is one or more letters pronounced together (e.g. Ca-na-da, A-mer-i-ca). Another way to learn a long or difficult word is to split them into shorter more meaningful sections. Example Mean-ing-ful Phonics – the sounds of letters In order to be able to sound out words we have to know the sounds letters make. We also have to know the sounds letters make when joined together ( letter blends) A good website to learn the sounds of letters: Write it out, does it look right? Often it helps to write out a word and look at it to see if it looks right.

Words within words Father – Fat –her. Con-ten-ted. Mnemonics This is a learning technique which aids information retention. For example to aid the recall of the colours of the rainbow - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green Blue, Indigo, Violet. Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain. Memory Aids

Spelling Rules When spelling it is important to keep in mind rules that apply to words, However don’t rely totally on the rules as there is almost always an exception to the rule! A list of simple spelling guide can be found here:

Homophones and homonyms Homonyms a group of words that share the same spelling and the same pronunciation but have different meanings. Example: tire ( of a car) tire ( to get tired) Homophones is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning and spelling.pronounced Common example: They’re, Their, There and To, Too, Two. The trick to learning how to use each one correctly has to do with thinking about the meaning of the word every time you write it.

Spelling strategies and technology SPELLCHECK There is a lot of help with spelling now on computers and ‘smart’ phones. It is possible to type a word and see straight away if it spelled correctly. On a computer or a phone a red line under a word indicates that it is not spelled correctly, this is usually seen together with spelling suggestions. E.G. Hospidal

Learning Styles Look say Cover Write Check Spelling Lists Dictionary Work Spelling Rules Mnemonics Words within words Break it up/Sound out Write in down/does it look right? Homophones and homonyms Spell Check