What is Spelling

Spelling is the study of:

• Phonics as related to the grouping of words for spelling
  such as: an, man, can
• Syllabication learn to divide words and spell by syllabication
  such as: mul-ti-pli-ca-tion;  dic-ta-tion;  re-la-tion
• Prefixes, what they mean and how to use them
• Suffixes, what they mean and how to use them
• Rules for plurals and possessive and for adding suffixes
  such as: when the y is preceded by a consonant, change the y to i and add es
• Learning to pronounce words correctly to spell correctly
• Learning the basic sight words

Spelling and Vocabulary mix when learning:

• Antonyms opposite meaning such as hot and cold
• Synonyms similar meaning such as jog and trot
• Homonyms alike in sound or spelling but not meaning such as altar and alter
• Learning Greek and Latin Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes

*Remember that one purpose of spelling is to learn to decode words so that every word will not have to be memorized. This is best done by grouping spelling words by sight and sound, such as night, light, bright and learning to spell by syllables. There are many sight words that do not fall into this category that will have to be memorized (said for example). 

A good spelling list will include a few sight words and a few words grouped phonically.

Resources: The two spelling programs below are complete programs. They fulfill the criteria that I look for in a spelling program. These programs are completely laid out for you with daily lessons. If you prefer to have more freedom try Natural Speller.

ACSI Spelling This is very excellent spelling program. But the teacher book is very expensive.

MCP Spelling Workout This is another excellent spelling program.

To see more spelling curriculum resources, see this web page: Homeschool Spelling