Name: CHEC Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-06-12T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-14T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Denver, CO

Tagged: digraphs, dipthongs, spelling

This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 1 month ago by angielafrance.

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

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April 7, 2014 at 3:10 pm
angielafrance
Participant
Hi,
My 9yo was a late bloomer with reading and struggles with dysgraphia. He is now a solid reader and can decode pretty well. He still struggles tremendously with spelling though whether orally or written. Digraphs and dipthongs are very difficult for him, particulary wh, ou, ea, ai, etc. He gets easily frustrated when he makes mistakes.

Any tips to get him spelling better without frustrating him?
April 7, 2014 at 8:19 pm
DawnD
Participant
I have one that has always been a horrible speller. He still isn’t great and he’s 14. We have tried all types of spelling programs and what I found is they don’t really work. Regular reading and writing has been about the only thing that has improved his spelling. I know your son has dysgraphia and that regular writing doesn’t go so well, but I would encourage you to start with a bit of copywork then. Not too much, whatever he can handle. You could even make it a short, short piece that he copies, studies and tried from dictation later in the week. The thing is, you can’t make them care. The only time my son has improved his spelling was because he wanted to use the word in his writing and needed it. He cared enough to find out how to spell it. Hopefully that time is coming for your son too – it may be a bit early yet. One thing I’ve found, just because he can’t spell and he’s 9, nowhere near means all is lost. There is so much time yet to catch on to that. I’ve heard people say that it is common for boys in middle school to spell horribly. And since he has recently caught on to reading, it isn’t unusual that his spelling ability hasn’t really started yet. I know people hate to have this advice given(I always did) to just back off and wait until later, but in this case a bit of judicious waiting might be just the ticket. Hang in there.
April 7, 2014 at 11:45 pm
psreitmom
Participant
My 10yo daughter has dyslexia and her spelling is very poor. That is common with dyslexics. I am currently using Soaring with Spelling. It gives 6 words a week to work on, all using the same spelling concept. There are activity pages to do through the week before the final test. I like it for a formal spelling curriculum. But, I have to agree with DawnD. Reading and writing is the best way for them to learn. My daughter can spell all the words correctly on the test, but may forget some of them by the next day. It just doesn’t stick that way. We also use Plaid Phonics to reinforce the concepts. That also covers some spelling.

Unfortunately, some children who have this problem may still be weak in spelling as an adult. I was just talking to a homeschool mom after church yesterday. Her son, her husband, and her mother-in-law all have dyslexia. She said her husband still has problems with spelling and so does her mother-in-law, although she is an avid reader. So, i would say just keep your son reading and writing. If you want something that teaches the concepts, by all means use it, but just give it time. His spelling should improve over time, but I wouldn’t get worked up over it.
April 9, 2014 at 12:41 am
angielafrance
Participant
Thanks so much for the encouragement, ladies! It was just what i needed to hear!