Writing 101

Spelling Strategies

Learning Objectives

• Apply spelling strategies in achieving high level of accuracy in encoding words.

• Understand these strategies and incorporate them into our routine of encoding (spelling) and decoding (reading) words.

Introduction• Do these issues confound you?

1) Commonly misspells words

2) Frequently forgets spelling choices

3) Usually misses out on one letter for a spelling error

If you face these problems, chances are, you did not apply the proper strategies in spelling!

Spelling Strategies• Spelling choices are determined by the sounds

each word make (phonemes) and the rules that govern them (phonics).

• You would not spell cat as pat as /c/ and /p/ make different sounds

BUT

• You MIGHT spell cat as kat as /c/ and /k/ have similar sounds!

• The most important step in learning to spell well is therefore, being good with using and analysing letter sounds.

Spelling Strategy #1• Therefore, the first spelling strategy is stated

as follows:

Be proficient in phonemes (using letter sounds to spell and read) and phonics (analysing letter sounds) so as to pronounce a word to spell. For example,

liquorice - /l/ + /e/ + /kw/ + /er/ + /r/ + /e/ + /s/

In pronouncing the word, we use and analyse: /i/ - change to /e/ sound; qu – a blend, sounded as /kw/; /or/ - change to /er/; /ce/ - pronounced as /s/

Spelling Strategy #2 - SAM• The second strategy is: Sound out (S), access

spelling visually (A) and make changes (M)

• S - Spell

• A - accurately

• M – most of the time

• When we are spelling, we need to sound out the words (auditory).

• We also need to visualise (visual) how the letters will form and make several attempts if we are not sure of the spelling (kinesthetic).

Spelling Strategies #1 & #2• For the following spelling choices, pick the

correct spelling by using spelling strategies.

• A) Feb r ary , B) Feb ru ra ry , C) Feb ru a ry

• A) Oc a tion , B) Occ a sion , C) Occ a s sion

• A) Rh y thm , B) Ri th ym , C) Ry th ym

• A) Oc c ur ed , B) Oc c urr ed , C) Oc ur red

• A) Re ci pe, B) Re ce pi , C) Re cer pi

• Remember to check your spelling choices after writing them down!

Application• When you are making a spelling choice, the

2-step spelling strategy of phonetics and pronouncing with visualisation gives you confidence.

• Try that with a variety of difficult words to perfect them.

• When in doubt of the phonetics or pronounciation, always refer to the handy dictionary!

Activity

The following are scientific words that have been spelt incorrectly. Using your knowledge of phonemes, phonics and memory of these words, correct their spelling.

1) orgeneesm 6) polushun

2) cklorefil 7) digairshun

3) resperatori 8) lairboretory

4) opaek 9) transloocent

5) evaperayshun 10) termoremeter

Discussion

• What’re Spelling Strategies used for?

• How can you apply them in editing your own misspellings?

• With Spelling Strategies, are they better than pure memory work in learning new words? Why?

Discussion (suggested answers)• What’s the Spelling Strategy used for?

To increase spelling accuracy.

• How does phonetics help us in the beginning stage of spelling?’

To help us break and analyse the sounds.

• How does pronouncing with visualisation help us in the second stage of spelling?

To activate our memory of how that word sounds.

In Summary

• Spelling strategies help us in making the right spelling choices.

• The 2-step spelling strategies of phonetics and pronounciation with visualiasation help us in making better spelling choices.

• These spelling strategies are based on how letter sounds come together and our memory of them, making them highly useful in spelling a difficult word.