How can I help my child learn to spell?  Can I help a student improve spelling?

Spelling and reading are two sides of the same process. Reading is translating print into sounds/language. Spelling or writing words is translating sounds/language into print. It is no surprise that reading and spelling skills are often closely related. Most children who struggle with reading also struggle with spelling. The most effective way to teach your child to spell is to teach them with a direct systematic phonics program. First, make sure your child develops phonemic awareness so your child hears, recognizes and distinguishes the sounds and understands the phonetic structure of our language.  Then directly teach your child the complete, accurate phonetic code in systematic manner.  Help your child learn the direct relationship between the written letters and the sounds they represent. Have your child write words/spell based on sound.  After your child knows the basic structure of our language and the complete code, specifically teach common patterns and helpful guidelines. Spelling is more difficult than reading.  Although expected patterns and guidelines are extremely helpful, you will still need to teach some of the complexities with the ‘unexpected’ spellings and downright ‘goofy’ words.

Right Track Reading and Back on the Right Track Reading Lessons directly teach children how to spell or write words as the opposite of reading (translating sound into print). The combination of direct instruction in phonemic awareness, teaching the accurate and complete phonetic code, and activities that develop an understanding of the phonetic structure of our language helps develop spelling skills.

Both Right Track Reading and Back on the Right Track Reading Lessons also contain a very useful spelling section on common spelling patterns and guidelines. This section helps improve spelling skills.  The spelling section of Back on the Right Track Reading Lessons could be used in isolation as a solid systematic spelling program.

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Additional information, articles and resources on teaching students to read proficiently is located on the Free Reading Information page of the Right Track Reading website.

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This information was written by Miscese Gagen a mother with a passion for teaching children to read proficiently by using effective methods. She is also a successful reading tutor and author of the reading instructional programs Right Track Reading Lessons and Back on the Right Track Reading Lessons. The purpose of this information is to empower parents and teachers with information on teaching children how to read. We CAN improve reading proficiency, one student at a time!  Additional information is located at www.righttrackreading.com ~ Copyright 2005, 2006, 2007 Miscese R. Gagen