Spelling correctly is one of the most hopeless tasks to master but there are a few helpful suggestions. The English language has exceptions to almost every spelling rule. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make spelling easier.

• rhyming words that are spelt the same way
• long vowel sounds usually require two vowels
• write the words with missing letters (R__BB__T) and have the student fill in just those missing letters. Each time you go over the spelling list, remove more letters (R__B__ __ T.)
• tell the student to slow down and 'listen to the letters' as they write the word (the grade level spelling lists help as they only require students to fill-in missing letters.)
• spelling rules (eg. ie, ck, plurals, etc.)
• group the words with similar spelling (eg. light, night, right).
• give them scrabble tiles of the letters in the spelling word (ABBIRT) and let them spell the word using those letters.
• print the words on strips of paper with a picture of the word on the backside and have the student spell the word aloud or write it down. Then have them flip it over to check if it is correct. If they have spelt it correctly it stays face up, if not it is turned back down. Continue until all the words are face up. Make sure to keep them in similar groups if possible.

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How to study for a spelling test:

• The easiest way to study spelling words is to group the words in the list by finding something that some of the words have in common.
• eg. light -- fight -- night
• eg. shut -- shout -- shoe
• If a student has a short attention span then just study one group at a time.
• Start studying the words at the beginning of the week. Study them every day.
• Go over the words just before they fall asleep.
• Repeat them one more time the morning of the test. (Hopefully they will retain them long enough to get them right on the test. Someday if they use those words often enough, they will know them. Today, we are just worried about helping them succeed on one test.)
• If you don't have the time to help your child study their spelling words use a tape recorder, you or your child can record the list of spelling words, Use the recording daily to practice the words -- your child can correct their own work.

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Homonyms are words that sound the same but are spelt differently. Sometimes there are tricks to help the student remember them.

eg., there, their, they're there is a place: I look here, there and everywhere. their is possessive: (think 'I' own something) It is their book. they're is a contraction for: they are

Build spelling grade level knowledge by using the spelling lesson worksheets. They are designed to have the students fill-in just the commonly misspelled missing letters. Students are willing to practice grade level spelling words this way since it doesn't seems as painful as writing a long list of words.

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See our Teaching Resources for Spelling for worksheets. Teach All Kids is committed to providing both free and member-only worksheets and usage advice based upon proven techniques that help your child or student to be more successful. Those choosing to become members will have immediate access to over 1900 additional teaching resources.

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