Top 10 Resources on Spelling and Word Study

By: Reading Rockets (2013)

1. Word Study Instruction in the K-2 Classroom
   

   Find out how to integrate small-group word study instruction and hands-on word work activities to keep students motivated and engaged in learning about the English spelling system.

2. Word Study: A New Approach to Teaching Spelling
   

   "Word study" is an alternative to traditional spelling instruction. It is based on learning word patterns rather than memorizing unconnected words.

3. Why Phonological Awareness Is Important for Reading and Spelling
   

   Phonological awareness is critical for learning to read any alphabetic writing system. And research shows that difficulty with phoneme awareness and other phonological skills is a predictor of poor reading and spelling development.

4. How Spelling Supports Reading
   

   Make sense of the English spelling system. And learn more about the relationships between letters and sounds and how a proper understanding of spelling mechanics can lead to improved reading.

5. Looking at Writing
   

   See writing samples from real kids in pre-K through grade 3. You'll see the evolution from "invented" spelling to a more sophisticated understanding of the rules of English spelling in these examples.

6. Developing Writing and Spelling at Home
   

   Find simple, hands-on activities that encourage everyday writing, such as preparing a grocery list or writing a thank you note, as well as tips on how to handle "writer's strike." (In English and Spanish)

7. Spelling and Dyslexia
   

   This fact sheet explains why people with dyslexia have trouble spelling, how to diagnose a specific spelling problem, and spelling instruction and accommodations for children with dyslexia.

8. What Is Dysgraphia?
   

   Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing abilities. Learn the warning signs and techniques for teaching and accommodating young kids with dysgraphia.

9. The Basic Spelling Vocabulary List
   

   This list was created to help teachers know which spelling words should be taught to kids in grades 1–5. The list contains 850 words that account for 80 percent of the words children use in their writing — the ones they need to be able to spell correctly.

10. Root Words, Roots, and Affixes
    

    Familiarity with Greek and Latin roots, as well as prefixes and suffixes, can help students understand the meaning of new words. This article includes many of the most common examples.

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