Comments on: Teaching Spelling: Subject by Subject, Part 5

By: Sonya Shafer

Sonya Shafer — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 14:22:59 +0000

Usually dictation is done about twice a week. The student may be studying the passage on other days as needed, but a dictation exercise is scheduled on two days.

One thing you can do is to keep track of the words that she spells incorrectly in other places and find dictation exercises that use those words, thus reinforcing the correct spelling.

By: Kelley

Kelley — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:20:33 +0000

How many times a week is recommended for Spelling (dictation) for an 11 yr. that has trouble spelling. I also am wondering in other areas of her work that she gets wrong like just writing and she spells it right if I point it out to her and if so how just pointing out the correct spelling?? thanks!

By: Sonya Shafer

Sonya Shafer — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:12:51 +0000

The three steps outlined in the article at the top of this page: the Teaching Spelling article.

By: Kelley

Kelley — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 03:51:10 +0000

I think I missed something. What three steps above are you referring to? I feel I am missing something. What is the Notice spelling step? I’m new to all of this, so maybe this is why.

Thank-you for all of your help, Kelley

By: Sonya Shafer

Sonya Shafer — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:56:31 +0000

It sounds like you are moving in a good direction, but I would encourage you to take the next step and try to make sure they see the correct spelling as much as possible. When they ask how to spell a word, tell them the correct spelling, rather than having them guess at it first. Also, go ahead and do the three steps above with your various aged children. If your 6yo is still in the beginning stages of reading, do the Build the Words step with him/her. Your 8yo would probably be ready for the Notice the Spelling step. Do Prepared Dictation with your 11yo and 13yo. All of those methods will encourage them to look at how words are spelled as they see them and read them, which is what makes a good speller.

By: Kelley

Kelley — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 17:20:54 +0000

Both my 13 yr. old and 11 yr. old struggle some with Spelling, but more so with my 11 yr. old. I’ve used different programs and I worry that my 6 yr. and 8 yr. will have the same struggles. I used A Beka, Spelling Power, games on the computer etc.. Recently I put everything down, and when they ask how to spell something I ask to spell it/clap it out or when I see in something that they wrote wrong in a story I do the same thing asking if there are any rules in the word, and we do it together if they are telling me the word incorrectly. We don’t touch the word again unless it comes up again. Is it not being ingrained, because we tackle the word but we just leave it at that? Is this approach okay or is there a better way. I’ve been reading lots on here the last few days. Thank-you!

By: Alicia Hart

Alicia Hart — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 22:55:16 +0000

Jackie-
There is a games called Bananas that comes in a little bag shaped like a banana. It is filled up with letter tiles. This works really well for us. It is a fun game too!

By: Jackie

Jackie — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:27:51 +0000

Thanks so much for your advice! Greatly appreciate it!

By: Sonya Shafer

Sonya Shafer — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:33:13 +0000

You could make your own letter tiles by typing the alphabet in a computer document -- large font and spaced apart -- then printing it and cutting the letters apart. Or you can use the wooden tiles from a Scrabble game or buy some ready-made plastic ones online. There are many possibilities. For a teen, I would recommend a combination approach that follows these steps:

Select a passage and look over it with your teen to identify words he doesn't already know how to spell. In the beginning, especially, try to find passages/sentences with no more than three or four he doesn't already know. We don't want to overwhelm him.
Have him take some time to study the passage, focusing especially on the words he needs to learn. Part of this study time could involve his copying the passage/sentence. When he comes to one of his focus words, he copies it, then tries to spell it with word tiles without looking, then checks to make sure he spelled it correctly. So he is putting a double emphasis (or triple, etc.) on those words.
When he is ready and comes to tell you that he is ready, you set him up for success by using either the letter tiles or a whiteboard or chalkboard. Ask him to spell each of his focus words. If he misspells one, quickly erase it or spread out the letter tiles so he doesn't get that false image stuck in his mind. Help him study more as needed. Your goal is to make sure he will succeed at the dictation step.
Last, dictate the passage/sentence to him in short phrases. This is not an exercise in rote memory, so feed him the phrases little by little as he is ready for them. Watch carefully as he writes to make sure he is spelling every word correctly. If he and you have done the preparatory work well, mistakes should be few and far between and he will continue to improve and gain confidence as he progresses.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:47:19 +0000

Sonya,
First I would like to thank you for your website. It has been a great encouragement and help!
I was wondering about the letter tiles if you make them yourself or can you buy them somewhere? Do you think this method would work for a teenager that struggles greatly with spelling…or should I go with the dictation?
Thanks so much,
Jackie