Research

Teaching children strategies for correcting their spelling is far more important that giving them the correct spelling of any particular word. Such strategies include:

    a. writing the word two or three different ways and deciding which one looks right

    b. locating the spelling in a familiar text or in print displayed around the classroom

    c. asking someone, consulting a dictionary, or using computer software   (Wilde, 1992)

Discussing spelling patterns and drawing spelling generalizations as a class will also help children develop an every-growing repertoire of words they can spell correctly in first drafts. Such interactive, thought-engaging lessons are likely to be more productive than spelling lists and tests (Wilde, 1992; Wagstaff, n.d.; Cunningham, 1995; Buchanan, 1989).