Parents often ask me how they can best help their children with spelling. Here are some tips I’m pleased to share. Keep in mind that the goal is to make spelling practice efficient so your child putting focus where it needs to be. Too often, students are asked to copy and write the spelling words three or more times each or take daily written quizzes. These things can help. However, consider doing the following to help make things easier on you and your child:
1. Quiz your child on Monday evening. Correct the quiz with your child, drawing his or her attention to the part they missed.
2. Create flashcards for the missed words, highlighting the part of the word they need to remember. For example, if your child spelled “thot” for “thought”, you might highlight the “ough” pattern in the center of the word.
3. Practice those flashcards. Flash the word to your child, and have them write the word in the air or on a surface with their finger. This encourages them to use their memory.
4. Do visual memory exercises. Ask your child questions which draw on the visual component. For example, ask how many tall letters they remember in that word; how many letters hang low; see if they can spell the word backwards; ask them to explain the tricky part or the strategy they are using to remember the word.
5. Re-quiz daily on the tricky words, and spot check the rest of the list throughout the week.