Principles

Principles

According to Hammond and Cramer in Spelling Research and Information (p. 68 and 73)

Whole Language Language, whether oral or written, is best learned in meaningful social contexts. Language arts instruction, particularly reading and writing, should be integrated. Language is acquired and retained through meaningful use and practice. Language is easiest to learn when it is presented whole rather than in isolated pieces. Language instruction should focus on the individual language and experience of the learner.

Spelling Spelling is developmental:  As young people mature in the early years of school, spelling improves. Young children's opportunities to experiment with the spelling system and to invent their own spellings hasten spelling achievement Children's invented spellings are highly predictable and consistent, suggesting an underlying cognitive and linguistic system from which children generate their approximate and invented spellings, as well as their conventional spellings. Meaning aids spelling and spelling aids meaning.

Teaching Strategies

From Words Their Way (p. 75-77, Bear, Templeton, Invernizzi, and Johnston) Look for what students use but confuse A step backward is a step forward Use words students can read Compare words that do with words that don't Sort by sight and sound Begins with obvious contrasts first Don't hide exceptions Avoid rules Work for automaticity Return to meaningful texts

According to Spelling Research and Information (Hammond & Cramer, p. 78) Encourage invented spelling Focus on meaning Teach spelling More specifically, teach: Spelling Patterns Spelling Structure Rules Spelling and Meaning Relationships Developing Spelling Consciousness Spelling Strategies Most Commonly Misspelled Words

In Spel . . . is a four-letter Word (Gentry, p. 28) Teach spelling as part of the whole curriculum. Have children write frequently. Encourage children to invent spellings for words they may not have learned to spell. De-emphasize correctness, memorization, and writing mechanics. Respond to children's writing in ways that help them discover more about spelling.

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