some words, called
sight words,
dont' rely on strategies to spell, they require children to just recognise on sight.
However learning spelling words can be easier if children are given a range of strategies to use rather than just relying on one, such as memorising or sounding out.
There are 4 areas of knowledge that are important when learning spelling. These areas help children develop different strategies to use. The 4 knowledge areas of spelling are:
- Phonological or sound/letter knowledge
- Visual knowledge
- Morphemic or word meaning knowledge
- Etymological or History of words knowledge
Phonological Knowledge: this is spelling knowledge focussed around letters and sounds. More often used as children will break words down into the sounds they hear. In this area children learn what sounds letters make, how they can be grouped to make different sounds (blends, digraphs, word families) and how to break words down into bits.
Visual Knowledge: This knowledge focuses on how words look. Children often will recognise words that they have learnt before, or commonly used words such as sight words. Also children learn visual knowledge by looking at words with common word patterns or letter sequences. Teachers may often use letter boxes to help children recognise the shape of words.
Morphemic Knowledge: This knowledge focuses on the meaning of words. Children focus on what the words mean in order to understand them and that will help them spell the word. Also used when words change due to changes in verbs, nouns and adjectives - such as for example the adding of "ing" to the end of verbs; adding "s" or "es" to nouns for plurals or adding "ly" to adjectives to make them adverbs.
Etymological or the History of word Knowledge: This knowledge focuses mostly on the origin of words, the roots of words and their meanings and words that may be related because of their root form. Eg: television, telephone, telescope - all from the root form of "tele" which means far.
If students learn and understand how these knowledge areas work and are able to apply them with different strategies they have a greater chance of spelling success.
If you are keen to further understand the strategies for spelling, visit
spelling strategies
and for fun activities that help children get interested in spelling, visit
spelling help.
If students learn how these strategies work they have a greater chance of spelling success.
Reading, writing, speaking and listening are all connnected - many of the same skills are needed for all. However with regards to spelling, it really only relates with writing.
To write correctly you need to have a knowledge of correct spelling. A child will often be able to read before they can spell, therefore you don't need to be a good speller to be a good reader.
As I said early learning to spell works best when children can use more that one strategy to spell words.
Find some great strategies to help your child with spelling.
Learn some of the tricks to remember those tricky words.
Give your Child some activities that make spelling FUN.
Homonyms, Homophones and Homographs - What are they?
Using Rhyming words to help with Spelling
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