Welcome to Friday Coffee Mornings! 5th December 2014Spelling Strategies

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Spelling does matter

If you want to create a good impression in your writing and make sure you get your

meaning across clearly, it’s important to get your spelling right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXR23iO9JVw

Why is spelling so hard for children?

There are 26 letters of the alphabet but 44 sounds to learn the letter correspondences forThere are different ways to spell the same sound.

For example the “ee” sound

ee seeea meaty mummyey keyie field

Why is spelling so hard for children?

There are lots of spelling rules but there are always exceptions

The i before e rule

i before e except after c tie ceiling

science ancient foreign weird

Why is spelling so hard for children?

There are words in the English language called homophones – they sound the same but are spelt differently

For example

to too twohear herewon oneknight nightblue blewsee sea

The only way to really know a spelling is to be able to see it in your head and know if it looks wrong.

So how can we really help our children?

Some strategies you can use at home to help your children

• Practice does make perfect when it comes to spellings• Spellings do need to be corrected once your children can write

confidently.• Keen readers often spell very well as they can visualise the word

• Have a dictionary at home• Use a spell checker

• Try the following memory strategies…

Break up these words into syllables

different

spelling

What are the base words for these sets of words?

moving moved unmoveable runny running runner

opened unopened openinghopeful hoped hoping

Can you use analogy to find other words spelt like these?

night

rain

Can you come up with a mnemonic for

BecauseBig elephants can’t always use small exits

A good technique

Computer resources for children to practice and improve spellings

www.bbc.co.uk.bitesize www.spellits.com

www.woodlandjuniors.co.ukwww.oxforddictionaries.com/spelling-challenge/

www.ictgames.com

Other great spelling games

• Hangman• Boggle• Scrabble• Bananagrams• All available on apps

Improve your spelling too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5n_nMqH7CU

In the USA spelling is a national sport

Next Week

End of term Quiz!With prizes!Mr Flathers is coming